According to a news report from springfieldnewssun.com, “Ten minutes before the start of the competition, potential contestants piled into the front of the grandstand ready to stuff their faces with pizza.”
“Children and adults had the same goal: To be this year’s pizza-eating champion of the Champaign County Fair,” said the story. “The event included 25 Sparky’s Pizzeria pizzas and room for 20 contestants, four two-minute rounds, and a crowd that was ready for action. The contestants competed according to age. Sparky’s owner, Teri Jarboe, said seeing the kids having fun is the best part of the whole event. Instead of having interested parties sign up beforehand this year, they showed up for the event and drew a number. They competed only if their number was called.”