The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (NHDSC) has estimated that Americans will eat 150 million hot dogs this Independence Day, which also acts as the kick off for National Hot Dog Month, a celebration of our nation’s iconic food. To mark the occasion, the NHDSC has gathered several hot dog icons in a new series of videos to discuss their own stories about what makes hot dogs special to them.

“Hot dogs are so ingrained in our culture, but everyone has their own cherished history of why they love hot dogs, particularly those in the industry,” said NHDSC President Eric Mittenthal. “For some it’s all about time with family, while for others hot dogs help bring the community together. We’re thrilled to share those stories and inspire people to share their own with us.”

The hot dog stories collection includes company CEOs and brand leaders, such as Dietz and Watson’s Louis Eni, Ball Park’s Sara Shinoha and Usingers’ Fritz Usinger, as well as owners of iconic hot dog restaurants. James Cunningham, host of Eat St. on the Food Network, Mark Reitman, Professor of Hot Dogs at Hot Dog University, Los Angeles Dodgers executive chef Jason Tingley, and drivers of the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile are also featured in the series.

Hot dog fans from around the country are also invited to submit videos of their own that share why they love hot dogs. Links to videos under two minutes long will be accepted, and can be sent to contest@hot-dog.org through National Hot Dog Day on July 14. The most inspirational and creative videos will be selected as finalists, and NHDSC Facebook fans will chose a winner to be announced Monday, July 25.

The grand prize video contest winner will receive a Go Sun Solar Hot Dog Stove, a $100 gift card for their favorite brand of hot dogs, a copy of “Wurst of Lucky Peach: A Treasury of Encased Meat,” a National Hot Dog and Sausage Council t-shirt, and a bumper sticker. The second prize winner will receive a $50 gift card for their favorite brand of hot dogs, as well as the book, t-shirt and bumper sticker. The third place winner will receive the book, t-shirt and bumper sticker.

Full contest details and many more hot dog resources are available online here. National Hot Dog Month updates will also be posted throughout July on the NHDSC Facebook page and on Instagram @HotDogCouncil.