Anaconda Hot Dog Eating Contest Grand Prize Belt Designed by Butte Artist

ANACONDA — Have you ever dreamed of becoming a champion? Well, on July 4, if you can gorge on more hot dogs than the other contestants at the Dogs For Dogs Hot Dog Eating Contest, you could win a handcrafted WWE-inspired championship belt. And it’s all for a good cause.

“What I love about leatherwork is that I use all the traditional techniques, but as you’ll see, I do weird, weird things,” says Gilmore McLean as she sits at her bench to finish the flashy belt for the competition at Smelter City Brewing.

McLean is the artist behind the WWE-inspired hot dog eating contest championship belt that will be awarded to the winner on Independence Day. She says she loves the idea of ​​using this quintessential Western art form to create surprising new designs.

Meagan Thompson

“I like to use old techniques to create new designs and breathe new life into leatherwork, as it has become stale, boring and repetitive over the last 70 years,” says McLean.

Well, what better way to spice things up than to create a giant belt featuring America’s favorite barbecue dish? The jet black belt with red lettering and gold embellishments surrounding a hot dog accompanied by condiments shines as it spins the centerpiece.

McLean uses American-made oak-tanned cowhide, and with her use of quality materials and unique designs, Smelter City Brewing couldn’t pass up the opportunity to work with her.

“Last year we bought a belt online and it was great, but art is important and knowing someone who can do amazing craftsmanship like this is… you don’t pass up that opportunity,” says Luke Carlson, owner of Smelter City Brewing.

“It’s going to be something so crazy and so fun and so stupid that it really deserves a stupid, fun, crazy championship belt,” McLean says.

The event will take place at 1 p.m. on July 4 and admission is $25. Carlson says entries will be accepted the day of the event and the winner will walk away with the belt and a lifetime prize from the brewery’s stein club.

Proceeds from the Dogs for Dogs hot dog eating contest will benefit Pintler Pets animal shelter.