Given that it’s July 4, why not a list of upcoming Coney Island events, starting with today’s big show, the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, which starts at noon:

July 4 at 12:00 pm
Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest
Stillwell and Surf Avenues

July 19
Village Voice Siren Music Festival
on two stages: one on West 10th Street and the other on Stillwell AVenue, both off the boardwalk

July 18 & 19 at 9:00 am and July 20 at 10:45 pm
AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour
Beach at West 19th Street

July 26 from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Astella’s 18th Annual Sand Sculpting Contest and Coney Island Unity Day
Prizes, live music, dance performances, information tables. On the beach between West 10th and West 12th Streets