This year's Ballard SeafoodFest, happening this weekend, July 25 (11 a.m. to 8 p.m.) and 26 (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.), features a few firsts, as well as old traditions, in the festival's 35th year.

Hotdog Eating Contest

The first-ever SeafoodFest Hotdog Eating Contest will take place on Saturday at 1:45 p.m. at the Bergen Place Community Stage. It's sponsored by Ballard's Dante's Inferno Dogs.

For an entry fee of $20, get a Dante's Inferno Dog T-shirt and all the hotdogs you can stomach in 12 minutes. First, second and third place win a cut of the prize money, plus a Dante's gift certificate.

Raffle- Grand prize is a seven day cruise for two to Mexico or the Caribbean

The SeafoodFest will also have its first raffle, which features prizes ranging from a Holland America cruise, Teatro Zinzanni tickets, a stay at the world famous Coeur d'Alene Resort to a tour of Mt. Rainier, plus a variety of gift certificates donated by local businesses.

Winners will be announced on Sunday, July 26 at 4 p.m. at the Bergen Place Community Stage. Need not be present to win.

Vendors

With more vendors than ever before, the SeafoodFest will host 100 arts and crafts tables. A sampling includes: Bad Dog Hats, Marmalade Originals, Waisted Belt Company, Cat's Eye Creations, Silvermoon, Enchanted Clay, Over the Line, Babylon Glass, Marbles are Fun, Rain City Pens, Edge Expressions and Dorman Images.

Lutefisk Eating Contest

The SeafoodFest would not be the same without its traditional Lutefisk Eating Contest, which takes place Saturday at 1:15 p.m. at the Bergen Community Stage.

Lutefisk is a Scandinavian Christmas staple, usually served with mashed up peas, melted butter and boiled potatoes. But not at SeafoodFest. Here, the lye-soaked gelatinous delicacy is served minus the accoutrements.

Winners are awarded cold-hard cash for eating the most, not the fastest.

Ninth Annual Couture Coverall Contest

The event takes place Sunday, 3:15 p.m. at the Bergen Place Community Stage. The SeafoodFest honors with this contest the "down and dirty" clothing that built the Ballard Bridge, sawed cedar and fished the Puget Sound.

Contestants tweak, adorn and transform their coveralls and then model it on stage in the form of an "only in Ballard" fashion show.

Winners are awarded with the coveted Coverall Trophy and a variety of prizes.

Alder-Smoked Salmon Barbecue

A generous serving of Alder-smoked salmon, cole slaw, garlic bread and a drink is $9 and $8 for seniors. Not much more needs to be said.

Sidewalk Sale

With all the SeafoodFest excitement, don't forget Ballard's oldest and largest Sidewalk Sale, which occurs throughout Ballard leading up to and during the SeafoodFest, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 23 through the 25 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, July 26 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Story behind this year's GIANT poster

Beth Miller, executive director of the Ballard Chamber of Commerce, has been putting together the SeafoodFest for the past 10 years and she always makes a special effort to come up with something unique for the promotional materials that end up all around the community.

This year, keeping with the last few years' tradition of Nordic Vikings, the spokesperson is the 8 feet 8 inch tall Viking Giant Johann Pedursson.

Born in Dalvik, Iceland in 1913, Pedursson was for several years the tallest man alive. The third of nine children, Pedursson stood 8 feet and 8 inches tall by age 20, weighed more than 400 pounds and wore a size 24 shoe.

He headed to Denmark in 1934, where he sought fame and fortune performing with two accordion-playing dwarfs in vaudeville theaters throughout Europe.

After World War II, Pedursson returned to Iceland and traveled around Europe until 1948, when the John Ringling of Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus discovered him. He went on to make a great living through circus acts and his own solo show.

In 1950, Pedursson was discovered by Hollywood. He starred as the prehistoric giant Guadi in the science fiction, adventure film "Prehistoric Women." Thirty years later, his second role was in "Carny," opposite Jodie Foster and Gary Busey. He was also featured in a 1981 documentary "Being Different."

Pedursson passed away at age 69 in 1984.

Basic Information

Where?
SeafoodFest is located in the heart of downtown Ballard and centers around Northwest Market Street. Visit the Web site at www.seafoodfest.org, or call 206-784-9705.

Take the bus
From downtown Seattle, take a 15, 17 or 18 bus. From the University District hop on the 44.

Information booth
Located at 22nd Avenue Northwest and Northwest Market Street, it's the spot for festival information, lost children, first aid, and SeafoodFest swag. Totes are $10, aprons $15 and T-shirts $15. An assortment of Viking helmets will also be available for purchase.