WASHINGTON – National Hot Dog Month was celebrated July 21 when Capitol Hill staffers, lawmakers, meat industry representatives and media converged at the Rayburn House Office Building Courtyard for the American Meat Institute's (A.M.I.) annual Hot Dog Lunch. Approximately 1,500 attendees participated – including more than 100 members of the House and Senate.

Hosted by Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) and Rep. Frank Lucas (R-Okla.), the Annual Hot Dog Lunch has become a popular summer tradition in Washington.


"Year after year, this social event on Capitol Hill, which is one of the most widely attended of the summer, is a reflection of the hot dog's unwavering popularity – on both sides of the aisle,” said Patrick Boyle, A.M.I. president and chief executive."

An estimated 4,000 hot dogs, corn dogs, brats and other sausages were served.

Also part of the tradition of the event, former Major League Baseball players attended to promote the event and sign autographs. This year’s line-up included Ron Guidry, Dale Murphy and Lee Smith.