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CNN Live Event/Special
America Celebrates 250 Years; Kool And The Gang Perform "Celebration"; Pyrotecnico's World Record Attempt; One-On-One With 12- Time Hot Dog Eating Champ Miki Sudo. Aired 5-6p ET
Aired July 04, 2026 - 17:00:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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[17:01:01]
BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN ANCHOR: It's 5 p.m. here in the nation's capital, and the party is just getting started. You're watching CNN's special coverage of the Fourth in America.
I'm Boris Sanchez here with Dana Bash at the National Mall in Washington. Along with Sara Sidner and Victor Blackwell at the Empire State Building in New York.
DANA BASH, CNN ANCHOR: And just hours from now, thank goodness, the sun will set here in D.C. And we're getting ready for what's being billed as the largest fireworks display in history.
You can see, and maybe you can hear the flyovers that have been happening on a regular basis here. Just part of the celebration so far.
Across the country, we've seen other flyovers, boat parades, horses in the streets, and guess what? The best is yet to come.
VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN ANCHOR: Yes. Taylor Swift's wedding, the World Cup right across the river, this feels like some Knicks NBA championship in the city. It's a lot going on.
SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: Hello. We're champions. What's up?
BLACKWELL: And soon a lot of fireworks. We've got the best view in the house here from the 86th floor of the Empire State Building.
SIDNER: We're on the observation deck. No, we are not going to climb up to the spire like those two people that you saw earlier.
BLACKWELL: Thought about it though.
SIDNER: Although -- that's a tease. Maybe we will, maybe we won't, I don't know. But what I do know is we saw NYPD flying around here, so I think we should not play with them today.
BLACKWELL: Indeed.
SIDNER: And how many hot dogs can you eat in one sitting? We've got the defending champion of today's hot dog eating contest, plus a cast reunion from the Fourth of July movie "The Sandlot". I love that film.
BLACKWELL: Love.
SIDNER: And did I mention real bald eagles? We've got the best reporters scattered all throughout the entire country, covering all of it. You get to see a whole lot of stuff here.
BLACKWELL: Yes. So what would a Fourth of July celebration be without a trip to Nashville and the city's legendary Honky Tonk Highway?
CNN's Andy Scholes is live from the heart of the city on Broadway. Andy, I saw you earlier eating some hot wings, some extra hot wings. What is the scene like there now?
ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Well, Victor, the weather is hot. That Nashville hot chicken I had earlier was certainly hot. Still got a little indigestion, but I'm recovering slowly but surely.
But I tell you what. Nashville's got to be one of the coolest places to celebrate July 4th in the entire country. I mean, just look at this.
I mean, there are thousands of people just lining the streets here on Broadway already. I mean, you got the Honky Tonks up and down the street that you can go in and out of, and they're going to have the biggest firework display that they've ever had in the city of Nashville here tonight.
40,000 pounds of explosives is what they've got on tap. 200 miles of wire connecting them all. Think about that. That's from Nashville to Memphis in just wiring. That's how much it takes for this fireworks show that they're going to have tonight.
But, you know, you can see there's so many people already here ready to party. We've been talking to people all day long.
Here are some people. Hey, where did you guys come in from?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Illinois.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Central Illinois.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Central Illinois.
SCHOLES: Central Illinois. So why'd you travel so far to be here?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: For the 250th.
SCHOLES: 250th? Or had you have you been to Nashville before?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes. But we weren't -- we weren't 21 yet, though.
SCHOLES: Weren't 21 yet. All right. So a different experience this time around.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes. For sure. SCHOLES: All right. Well, you guys have a good time. I'm sure you
will. I don't have to tell you that.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Happy Fourth.
SCHOLES: All right. So you see Victor, Sara, everyone having a good time. And you know there's rooftop bars all along Broadway. That's going to be the place to be tonight for the biggest ever firework display Nashville has ever seen.
SIDNER: We have both been to Nashville. I love Nashville because tumble out of bed and stumble to the kitchen --
BLACKWELL: Hey.
SIDNER: -- having myself a cup of ambition, and yawn and stretch and try to come to -- come on Dolly.
BLACKWELL: Come on 9 to 5.
[17:04:48]
SIDNER: Come on, Dolly. 9 to 9 though.
BLACKWELL: Yes, for us. 9 to 9 tonight.
Andy Scholes, thanks so much there. Nashville's a good time any time of the year.
SIDNER: That's a good time.
All right. Let's head out to the southwest, where Bill Weir is live from the world's oldest rodeo in Prescott, Arizona. You know what? I only knew this because I lived out west for a while.
But the oldest rodeo. I just want to know if you're getting on a horse or a steer.
BILL WEIR, CNN CHIEF CLIMATE CORRESPONDENT: You know, we're about to do actual bucking bronco competition, Sara. And I know you love me better than that. And you do not want to see me injured.
But we're going to were going to see this in just a second.
But yes, welcome to the world's oldest rodeo, officially. This is Greg Mengarelli, former mayor of Prescott, now runs this. I guess if you know the saying, this is not your first rodeo.
GREG MENGARELLI, FORMER MAYOR, OF PRESCOTT, ARIZONA: Yes.
WEIR: There is no place that's less appropriate than in Prescott. Tell me about the significance. You got packed stands on the Fourth of July.
MENGARELLI: Oh, it's a beautiful thing, Bill. We're so excited to have everybody here, especially on America 250. Started in 1888 --
WEIR: Yes.
MENGARELLI: -- the very first rodeo. And this is really indicative of what they did then, you know, all got together and celebrated their freedom. And so we're so happy to do it today.
WEIR: It was known as the Lonesome Valley back then.
MENGARELLI: And these cowboys said, hey, let's have a tournament. And oh, we got bucking broncos. Can you guys see that? Oh, he's off.
Now these are just ranch hands from the valley here?
MENGARELLI: Our local ranch hands that came in to ride a wild horse. Yes.
WEIR: And these horses have never been ridden.
MENGARELLI: Well, they've been -- you know, some of them they try to ride.
WEIR: They try to ride.
MENGARELLI: Obviously they're not real successful.
WEIR: Right. And so as we celebrate this beautiful bluebird skies, it's probably cooler here than it is back, back east. How do -- how do you -- how do you see the birthday of America, the American experiment.
I can't imagine in 1888, they thought this, or maybe the country would last this long. But what's the vibe here these days?
MENGARELLI: Well, absolutely. You know, our city and this region absolutely love America, patriotism. We just celebrated our military and thank them for our freedoms.
And so it's everything here. Our culture is all about freedom. And the ranching background that we have here.
WEIR: Very good, very good. Well, you guys have been wonderful hosts.
MENGARELLI: Thank you, Bill.
WEIR: So much hospitality. And I really had a good time. The mutton busting. I'm going to try to get a mutton busting league. These are kids that ride sheep until -- to see who holds on the longest.
Anderson Cooper, Andy Cohen and I were going to get our sons together and start a league in Central Park in the sheep's meadow and see if we can raise these boys, like, put a little bit of a Prescott, Arizona in him.
SIDNER: You know, it's not just the kids, homey. Like there's a bucking bronco right behind you. Who's your photographer today, Bill Weir? Because whoever it is, we want to see those broncos.
BLACKWELL: Yes. Let's zoom in.
SIDNER: We want to see them.
WEIR: Oh, Evelio (ph), get up here.
SIDNER: Let's get in there.
WEIR: Get in there. Here he goes.
SIDNER: Evelio, I know, I Evelio. Whoa. Evelio, zoom in for us because I love me --
WEIR: Look at that.
SIDNER: That horse is going to get him off there.
Get him off.
BLACKWELL: That's a good ride though. That's a good ride.
SIDNER: Oh. Got him.
WEIR: Yes. They got to get him --
SIDNER: I'm voting for the horse. I'm sorry.
BLACKWELL: I mean it was a good ride though.
MENGARELLI: Good ride.
SIDNER: He said it was a good ride.
(CROSSTALK)
WEIR: -- guys. Love you.
SIDNER: I love that. Tell the mayor that I'm going to be down there ready to bust some broncos, ok.
BLACKWELL: And I'll be looking out for the Manhattan mutton busters that are coming.
Bill Weir, thanks so much there in Prescott, Arizona.
Let's go to Los Angeles now. Preparations for a star-studded celebration at L.A.'s Memorial Coliseum.
CNN's Nick Watt is there. Nick, we're typically out on the West Coast, and I know they have a special way to celebrate the Fourth out there. What are you seeing? What's coming tonight?
NICK WATT, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Victor, we on the West Coast have an extra three hours of the Fourth left. We also have the best weather in America, as always. High 70s, low 80s with a light breeze. Loving that.
And we have the sound checks have been going on. We've had Chris Stapleton, Chaka Khan, Queen Latifah, she's hosting here.
Something for everybody. Smashing Pumpkins -- that's more my jam as a melancholic, middle-aged dude. I'm looking forward to that.
We're going to have some flyovers. We're going to have some fireworks. We are going to have it all in this beautiful stadium.
More than 100 years old, this coliseum Olympics in '84, Olympics again in a couple of years.
And you know, this showcases what California means to the world and to this country. The entertainment capital, the exporter of soft power from this place on the West Coast. This is going to be a great, great show.
You might notice my weird accent, foreign born, American by choice. Back to you guys.
SIDNER: that's the truth. And Nick Watt, I feel for you. I think I love you.
BLACKWELL: Hey.
SIDNER: That's from Chaka Khan.
BLACKWELL: Chaka Khan. Chaka Khan. Chaka Khan.
SIDNER: Chaka Khan.
BLACKWELL: Nick Watt.
SIDNER: We are so glad you're out there.
WATT: Yes.
SIDNER: I knew you would get it. I knew you would get it.
I love it, America by choice, but Scottish born. It's so good to see you, Nick, I miss you.
Up next --
[17:09:51]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I haven't had anything yet, so how can I have some more of nothing?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Shut up.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're killing me, Smalls.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SIDNER: You're killing me, Smalls. The line, just as iconic then as it is now. The actor who played Ham Porter and Squints from "The Sandlot" reuniting with us.
Oh, look at him. And look at these gentlemen. We love you, guys. We can't wait to talk to you, next.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CROWD: We're the scout troop (INAUDIBLE) from Grand Prairie, Texas. Please support our military and their families.
Happy birthday America.
CROWD: 231, 1996. Thank you to our military members.
CROWD: We are 264 100 from Essex, Vermont. Happy birthday America.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[17:10:44]
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: On the Fourth of July, the whole sky would brighten up with fireworks, giving us just enough light for a game. We played our best then, because I guess we all felt like the big leaguers under the lights of some great stadium.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BASH: It has been more than 30 years since "The Sandlot" came out, it's hard to believe. And to this day it remains one of the most beloved coming-of-age sports movies of all time.
And there's certainly no better day to revisit that film than today on the Fourth of July.
So guess what? We have a real treat for you right now.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Little pervert.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Did you plan that?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Of course I did. Been planning it for years.
You guys (INAUDIBLE) he knew what he was doing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BASH: Joining us now are those two actors from "Sandlot". Patrick Renna, who played the s'mores chief, and you're killing me. Smalls, Ham Porter. Along with Chauncey Leopardi, who is known for his role as Squints.
It's so nice to see both of you. Thank you so much for coming on with us, especially on this holiday.
Patrick, I'll start with you. You were just little kids when you shot this movie. I'm sure it didn't even occur to you at the time that you were making an instant classic.
PATRICK RENNA, ACTOR, "THE SANDLOT": Yes. You're right. I mean, we were probably too young to be sure of something like that.
I will say, though, we had enough good sense to know that we were doing something cool. The crew would come on set happy every day after dailies, big smiles on their face. You can't fake that.
And the director, David Mickey Evans, he wrote it and narrated it, directed it. He just did such an amazing job. So we knew something, something was special.
I don't think there's any way to know that it would become what it's become today, though. There's just no way.
SANCHEZ: Well, Chauncey, it has stood the test of time because 30 years later -- more than 30 years later, people still can't get enough of this movie.
CHAUNCEY LEOPARDI, ACTOR, "THE SANDLOT": Yes. It's incredible. You know, it's never lost on us the multigenerational love it's had and people sharing it with their families and obviously holidays during the summer and baseball.
It's a -- it's a piece of Americana. And were happy to be a part of it.
BASH: Patrick, or should I call you the Great Gambino because that probably never gets --
(CROSSTALK)
BASH: -- that never gets old for you, I'm sure.
RENNA: Either one works.
BASH: Patrick, my son is going to be so jealous that I'm talking to you right now.
But it has become a staple, this movie has become a staple of people's Fourth of July plans. This year, the MLB even organized drive-in screenings across the country where people can watch with a live fireworks show. Have you ever seen one of those?
RENNA: Oh, yes. Well, I don't know that I've seen one like they just showed on what's going to be in Washington. But I've seen some nice sized ones. But yes, I mean, we, you know, we, we love to go to the MLB stadiums
and see some of them. They invited us out.
Unfortunately, I was just filming with Chauncey. So, we were busy this last week filming a new show of our own, so.
BASH: Oh, yes. What is that? Give us a little teaser.
RENNA: I'll give you a teaser. It's called "Dugout Dads".
(CROSSTALK)
RENNA: It's about, you know, the logline is the kids play for fun -- the kids play for fun, the parents play for blood.
SANCHEZ: Whoa.
RENNA: Yes. You know. So I think if you're a Little League player or a Little League parent, you kind of know that maybe the parents take it a little too serious.
So we had this idea and we got all "The Sandlot" guys back and we're all playing the dads.
BASH: I'm a baseball mom, so I totally get it.
SANCHEZ: We are excited to watch that. Chauncey, I wonder now that you're doing "Dugout Dads", if you wonder what influence you might have had on a young generation of kids when we played that iconic scene, when Squints is being rescued at the pool. Are you worried about the influence that you've had on young kids with that scene, that they're going to recreate that?
LEOPARDI: Well, let's hope that they don't jump in a pool and try to do anything as sneaky as Squints.
[17:19:47]
LEOPARDI: But, you know, obviously I was an actor and playing a role. And I think because of the age, it's very wholesome but yet still sneaky.
So I try to encourage them to definitely swing for the fences, but don't do anything that's, you know, frowned upon.
BASH: Patrick Renna and Chauncey Leopardi, we're very excited for "Dugout Dads". Thank you so much for joining us today. Have a great Fourth.
RENNA: Thanks for having us.
LEOPARDI: Thanks.
BASH: And if you're a fan of a different kind of movie, National Treasure movies, you're going to love what John Berman has been up to in Boston. Five clues down, one more to go in his scavenger hunt. That's next.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE:: Cub scouts, scouts and scouters at Camp Shenandoah in the Virginia Headquarters Council. And we just wanted to say.
CROWD: Thank you, troops. We are Troop 339 from Spokane, Washington.
CROWD: We are Troop 733 from Barboursville, West Virginia. Thank you to our service members.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
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[17:24:48]
SIDNER: Only in Boston, Beantown can you find 18th century history right next to the burrito line.
John Berman joins us live from across the street from the Old Corner Bookstore, which was once the literary heart of America.
John, I know you probably already had a burrito and some Dunkin. Now what's up?
JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Yes, I mean, I know that everyone wants the answer to this question. John Adams what kind of burrito bowl was his favorite? Well, I mean, obviously it was the burrito bowl from Chipotle right here.
Look, we're standing right on the Freedom Trail here. You see this line right here. This is the Freedom Trail. It goes all through Boston. If you've come to Boston to visit, chances are you've walked it.
It takes you to all the great revolutionary sites in town. The question is, why is this one one of them?
To get the answer to that question with us now is my really now increasingly good friend of today, Kanisorn Wongsrichanalai, who is the chief historian of the Massachusetts Historical Society. What the hell is going on here?
KANISORN WONGSRICHANALAI, CHIEF HISTORIAN, MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY: This is where the legend of the revolution was born. This is the Old Corner Bookstore. It used to be the Old Corner Bookstore. Now, of course, it's a very different business.
But yes, this was the literary hub of Boston. This was the home of Ticknor and Fields. And what they did is they published Longfellow's ride, or Longfellow's poem, "Paul Revere's Ride".
BERMAN: Listen, my children, and you shall hear.
WONGSRICHANALAI: The midnight ride of Paul Revere. BERMAN: And that was written when?
WONGSRICHANALAI: That was written in 1860 and published in 1861 at another time in American history that was really dark, on the verge of the Civil War.
Paul Revere was a local hero and known in New England. But it took Longfellow's poem that emanated from this place that made him a national legend.
And that's what we're dealing with here at the 250th. There are legends and there's truth.
BERMAN: I think it's so important to talk about that, because obviously what matters is what happened 250 years ago. The facts of what happened.
But the reason why we know it happened is because how it was recorded.
WONGSRICHANALAI: That's right.
BERMAN: And one of the ways it was recorded is how people wrote about it. And the period in the Centennial, roughly 100 years was such a rich period for remembering the revolution.
WONGSRICHANALAI: Absolutely. And different generations of Americans have remembered the revolution in different ways. The question is, how are we going to use the spirit of the revolution in our own moment?
BERMAN: What do you think?
WONGSRICHANALAI: Well, I think you start by reading the poem, learning the myth, and then turning the pages to read the history itself.
Because, I mean, I think of American history as a great song, and people know the chorus, but what are the words to that song?
And I think that what inspires us, I hope for people -- will be for people to learn the words of the song, learn our history, and then write the next chapter themselves, starting right now.
BERMAN: Yes. I mean, it's always a good time to write a new history.
Paul Revere, what kind of burrito bowl do you suspect he liked the most?
WONGSRICHANALAI: Probably whatever made him run the fastest.
BERMAN: That's right, that's right. Paul Revere is everywhere when you're dealing with revolutionary era America here. I mean, not only the one of by land, two of by sea. He rode all the way or almost all the way to Concord to warn people.
And then he designed half the bells and silver things around here, right.
WONGSRICHANALAI: And he was also a dentist.
BERMAN: Good dentist. Thank you.
All right. I'm on this treasure hunt through Boston here. Red, White and Clue. This is our last clue. I'll note that the wax is all falling off because it's so hot.
This is our final clue of the day. It's a breath of fresh air, especially in summer. A quick, quick jaunt from where Sam wooed Diane. Follow the foot bridge named for a legend. This should be easy if you're a fan.
So Sam Woo Diane at the Cheers bar, which is kind of on Beacon Hill- ish right now. I don't know where it was located, the store.
I think the footbridge might be the footbridge over Storrow Drive to the Esplanade where CNN might be anchoring tonight. I think I'm going. I think I'm going to the river.
WONGSRICHANALAI: You are.
BERMAN: Fantastic. Thank you so much, Kanisorn Wongsrichanalai, chief historian of the Massachusetts historical society. Legend, legendary.
WONGSRICHANALAI: Thank you. And independence forever.
BERMAN: Independence forever. Dana, Boris -- it's been so much fun. I'll see you at the river.
BLACKWELL: All right, we'll take it here in New York.
John Berman having the best time.
SIDNER: Absolutely.
BLACKWELL: I mean, there's really no better person to send to Boston to figure these clues out.
SIDNER: No. He is Boston's, like, son. Like, they really welcome him when he shows up. The congress people, the mayor, everyone says, oh, welcome home, John.
So he's home.
BLACKWELL: One more stop on this Red, White and Clue. John Berman there for us in Boston, thanks.
Lots more ahead on this Fourth of July, including a special performance of --
SIDNER: Celebrate good times, come on.
BLACKWELL: Coming up next.
[17:29:43]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CROWD: Hi. We are troop 7571 from Onalaska, Wisconsin, visiting Savannah.
CROWD: Thank you for your service from Troop 13 (INAUDIBLE).
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're Troop 1625 from Los Angeles, California.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Happy Fourth of July.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Happy birthday America. Yay.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
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[17:34:57]
BLACKWELL: It is a birthday bash across America.
You know what every birthday party needs? Music.
SARA SIDNER, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It must have music. So, let's listen to one of our favorites. Kool and the Gang perform Celebration, from the Prudential Stage at BottleRock, Napa Valley.
(LIVE BAND SINGING)
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[17:44:42]
DANA BASH, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Tonight's big birthday bash will end with an epic 40-minute fireworks extravaganza right here in D.C. That is slated to go down in the history books. You can watch it, of course, here on CNN, starting at about 10:30 p.m. Eastern.
BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN ANCHOR: Let's talk about this with Stephen Vitale, the CEO of Pyrotechnical, the company putting on this historic show.
[17:45:05]
Steven or Stephen?
STEPHEN VITALE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, PYROTECHNICO: Steven.
SANCHEZ: Steven. Steven, thank you so much for being with us. You are going to --
(CROSSTALK)
VITALE: Thanks for having me. Happy Fourth of July.
SANCHEZ: Happy Fourth. You are going to try to set a world record tonight. What goes into that?
VITALE: We are going to bring the heat. Yes, a lot of work.
BASH: You already brought it, Steven.
VITALE: Yes, we already brought it.
BASH: We have --
VITALE: You know, we have been at this designing the show. You know, we started designing the show in late January. We have over 50 teammates that have been working on this, specifically for this show. We have 75 crew members from all around the world helping us produce this display. It's going to be spectacular.
BASH: 80 -- sorry, 850,000 fireworks?
VITALE: 800 -- yes.
BASJH: I mean, I can't -- that's impossible to even wrap my brain around.
VITALE: Yes. It's significant. So, we have -- we are -- we are shooting from 10 locations, you know, The Mall being the main focus. We have a huge show at West Potomac Park, and then, eight barges over a mile long on the Potomac River. So, it's going to be fireworks and stereo in D.C. tonight.
SANCHEZ: It's going to last about 40 minutes.
VITALE: About 40 minutes.
SANCHEZ: And what should we expect to see?
VITALE: You are going to see products from all over the world. You know, we have sourced product from Japan, from China, from Italy, from Spain, and also the United States. So, you are going to see a lot of movement, a lot of color, and an -- and an amazing design.
I mean, we are going for the world record, but most importantly, we want the show to be memorable and esthetically beautiful for the crowd, and something that people will remember forever.
SANCHEZ: What goes into that design? How do you find the right way to orchestrate these fireworks going off to synchronize them?
VITALE: Yes. What all -- you know, we do with computers now. So, you know, we have advanced significantly over the years. So, we -- you know, it all starts with a great soundtrack, and then, you know, knowing the product and adding a lot of color movement, and, you know we start from the ground up, and the sky's our power.
BASH: How did you even -- well, how did you even get into this?
VITALE: We are a fifth-generation company. So, yes, yes, yes.
BASH: Oh, really?
VITALE: Yes, we have been in the business since 1889. We got start --
(CROSSTALK)
BASH: Your family.
VITALE: Our family. Yes.
BASH: That's very cool.
VITALE: Yes. So --
SANCHEZ: Would that be your great, great grandfather?
VITALE: Great, great grandfather.
SANCHEZ: What do you think your great, great grandfather would say if he were to see tonight's show, celebrating 250 years of America?
VITALE: He would probably think we are crazy.
BASH: Well, we are.
VITALE: Yes.
SANCHEZ: A little bit. A little bit.
There are some concerns, on a more serious note, because of the weather conditions today. There is not much wind right now.
VITALE: Right.
SANCHEZ: A lot of folks are worried about the smoke that comes with an attempt of this size. What would you say to folks that are worried about that?
VITALE: Well, that's one of the reasons why we expanded the show. You know, your typical Fourth of July fireworks shows, 18 to 20 minutes. We expanded it to 40 to make sure that we allow for the smoke to clear.
BASH: Oh.
VITALE: And, you know, we are hoping Mother Nature is with us, and we get a small breeze.
SANCHEZ: We are -- we are, I mean, we are hoping for a breeze right now,
VITALE: Yes. Yes.
SANCHEZ: I wish. Yes. It's a -- it's a hundred degrees. 100.3 degrees Fahrenheit right now.
VITALE: YEs.
BASH: Yes. SANCHEZ: Steven Vitale, we appreciate you bearing the heat with us, and we look forward to watching this spectacular show tonight.
VITALE: Thank you for having us.
SANCHEZ: Of course. Of course,
BASH: Thank you.
SANCHEZ: Again, you can watch the fireworks live when they start at 10:30 p.m. Eastern, right here -- on CNN.
You will also be seeing some of that throughout the afternoon. That was a flyover that you can feel in your chest, Dana. That was intense.
BASH: Absolutely. Your whole -- your whole body.
SANCHEZ: Yes.
BASH: All right. We have -- we have something to share, don't we, Boris?
SANCHEZ: Indeed, so we were asked to put together some time capsules, as folks in Philadelphia did earlier today with items commemorating the country's 250th birthday. They are going to open it 250 years from now. We were asked what we would put in it. Dana, would be decide.
BASH: Taylor Swift, a friendship bracelet -- a Taylor Swift friendship bracelet. A penny, because that's being retired. And a dose of Ozempic, because there is, you know, it's so 2026.
SANCHEZ: It speaks to the era. As you hear another fly over.
Now, I had kind of a kind of a similar perspective here.
(CROSSTALK)
BASH: What do you back?
SANCHEZ: I wanted to give folks a taste of what it's like to be in 2026.
BASH: Yes.
SANCHEZ: So first, you know, empires rise, empires fall, Cuban coffee will always be there for us, getting us through.
BASH: Oh.
SANCHEZ: So, I put a cafeteria in there. That's a Cuban coffee maker.
BASH: Sure, it is.
SANCHEZ: On top of that, something that I got many times as a kid for Christmas, that gave me a ton of hope. Unscratched lottery tickets. I think it'll help folks understand how people are swinging for the fences in this K-shaped economy.
BASH: Wow.
SANCHEZ: On top of that, if they pay off, those future people undoubtedly thank us. And lastly, I picked a picture of my dog, Harley, wearing her Dolphins jersey, because I hope that from now until 250 years, we will see the Super Bowl drought end and the Miami Dolphins may actually win Super Bowl.
Listen, there is a lot of action going on tonight. Hot dog eating champion Miki Sudo is going to join Victor and Sara next.
[17:49:57]
So, stay with us as we celebrate 250 years of The Fourth in America.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SIDNER: Yes. It is one of the most time-honored traditions of the Fourth of July here in America, the legendary Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. And it turns out Victor is oddly fascinated with this whole thing. So, my --
(CROSSTALK)
[17:55:02]
BLACKWELL: Unreasonably curious about this.
SIDNER: Oh, that's good. I'm reasonably curious.
BLACKWELL: Yes.
SIDNER: Our next guest, well, he is going to love this. For the 12th time in her career, took home the title again after chowing down nearly 39 hot dogs in today's women's competition.
Joining us now is world record holder and defending champion of the Nathan's Women's Hot Dog Eating Contest, Miki Sudo.
It is so good to see you, and you have got the belt, girl -- the belt.
MIKI SUDO, WINNER, NATHAN'S FAMOUS HOT DOG EATING CONTEST: I've got the hardware.
SIDNER: And the ring.
BLACKWELL: And the size.
SUDO: Yes, we have got the commemorative belt, and today, we have the China Championship ring as well. So --
BLACKWELL: How do you realize that you are good at this?
SUDO: You know, I'm a very adventurous and competitive person. And when you are just willing to put yourself out there and try new things, you realize that you have got these odd talents, and I kind of ran with it.
SIDNER: OK, I'm going to get gross here, because, how do you --
You are a tiny human, you work out, you look great. How do you hold that in your stomach without --
(CROSSTALK)
SUDO: Well, I mean, that's why I've asked your crew not to do side shots. I mean, I'm wearing this black for a reason. Yes, 40 hot dogs is just shy of nine pounds. So, I'm a little bit bloated. (INAUDIBLE)
(CROSSTALK)
SIDNER: That's a whole baby.
SUDO: So, I don't even think, Max weigh that much when he was born.
BLACKWELL: And so, and how many minutes?
SUDO: With -- it's a 10-minute contest.
SIDNER: Oh, my god.
BLACKWELL: A 10-minute contest. And you told me before this that you don't train throughout the year.
SUDO: I hate to admit it, but unfortunately, I've been slacking on my training. So, I relied a lot of muscle memory -- I relied a lot of muscle memory and the crowd really carried me through to victory this year.
SIDNER: How do you train?
SUDO: Well, I do happen to have the world's best training partner. My husband competes as well.
BLACKWELL: Yes.
SUDO: So, right in my very household. So, if, you know, the mood strikes, I'll ask him to line up 10 minutes with the hot dogs, and we will just practice in the backyard and scare the neighbors. But --
BLACKWELL: So, what's the strategy for you?
SUDO: So, like a lot of the very competitive eaters, I'll eat two meats at a time, dunk the buns in my warm liquid, and just rinse and repeat. Really.
BLACKWELL: Do you like the taste of hot dogs?
SUDO: I do, but I would much prefer eating my hot dogs with raw onion, sauerkraut, brown mustard, as opposed to dunking the buns in warm --
(CROSSTALK) SIDNER: Yes. They got to have mustard on them. I couldn't -- I just couldn't do it without the mustard. And then, that would end really badly, really quickly.
SUDO: That could be another competition, maybe.
SIDNER: It could be. How many mustard-covered buns can you get in your mouth with a hot dog? I don't know. It would be probably an awful ending.
Let me ask you about how you feel the next day or that night?
SUDO: I -- yes, physically, that's a different story. But I feel great, you know what? A 12th belt is definitely a celebration in itself, but I mean, this was an amazing year, we are celebrating America 250, we had a co-broadcast with another network. So, it just extra fans, extra eyes, extra pressure, but I was up for the challenge, and, you know, I feel great having one.
BLACKWELL: And so, it's not even close, though, the second-place finisher.
SIDNER: It's true.
SUDO: We had some great numbers on the women's side. But, I think, my closest competition was maybe mid-20s.
BLACKWELL: And you are at 39.
SUDO: You know, but I've got that target on my back, you know, when you have got a hardware, you've got new talent nipping at your heels every year. So, I really can't get complacent.
SIDNER: Girl, nobody is nipping at nothing. It is just -- you got double.
(CROSSTALK)
SUDO: Oh, man.
SIDNER: Double the amount of hot dogs that the next person got, the second-place winner. That's pretty incredible.
BLACKWELL: Is it just the hot dogs?
SUDO: Well, hot dogs and buns for this -- for this event?
BLACKWELL: Yes.
SUDO: But we eat all sorts of foods, and not just across the country, but internationally as well. So, I hold records in ice cream, fish balls, steam buns, hot rice, hot dish, I mean --
(CROSSTALK)
SIDNER: Wait. Ice cream, fish balls, steam buns, hot rice, and hot dogs, but not all the same time, for God sakes?
SUDO: Not -- that sounds like quite the meal. Yes, Thanksgiving dinner at my house.
BLACKWELL: And so, when you are at home, you know, preparing dinner, these are like normal portions for the rest of the year. Right?
SUDO: No, no, no.
BLACKWELL: No?
SUDO: Our regular diet is, for lack of a better term, boring.
BLACKWELL: Yes.
SUDO: I eat a lot of plain nonfat Greek yogurt, eggs, fresh produce, lean proteins in our fridge. You know, hot dog, I saved my appetite for hot dogs, you know, for the Fourth of July, where I eat them by the dozen.
SIDNER: OK. Describe what the belt is all about, because there is a lot of stuff on the belt, although, I think that is Mr. Hot Dog right there.
SUDO: Oh, absolutely. So, this is the official Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Championship belt, and we get a new one every year. This one is in celebration of America's 250.
(CROSSTALK)
SIDNER: Oh, that cool.
SUDO: So, this is special edition, it really wasn't the year to lose.
BLACKWELL: Is there -- I mean, you have got 12 wins now. Not 12 consecutive.
SUDO: No, and that's all my adorable little 4-year-old's faults. No, I was pregnant in 2021. So, naturally, I didn't compete. But I did get to serve as guest co-host, which is quite an honor.
BLACKWELL: Yes.
SIDNER: I want to -- I got to bring him up here, because Max and Nick, your husband Nick, and your son, Max.
(CROSSTALK)
SUDO: Oh, would it be right?
SIDNER: They both have what your -- what your son called a shark fin. But look, look, look at -- look at the top of these fellas' hat. Oh, that's what I'm talking about.
SUDO: We do that for the Fourth of July right here.
BLACKWELL: And you got a birthday coming, right?
MAX SUDO, SON OF MIKI SUDO: Right.
BLACKWELL: How old are you going to be?
M. SUDO: Five.
BLACKWELL: Well, happy birthday.
SIDNER: Happy birthday.
M. SUDO: It's in four days.
BLACKWELL: Yes.
MIKI SUDO: He even gave me some competitive eating advice this morning.
SIDNER: What advice did you give your mom?
MIKI SUDO: -- snails.
SIDNER: What did you tell her?
MAX SUDO: Don't eat like a snail, because you might not win.
MIKI SUDO: There you go.
SIDNER: Don't eat snails before you eat hot dogs.
[18:00:00]
Awesome advice.
BLACKWELL: Well, Miki Sudo, thank you so much for being with us. Happy Fourth to all of you.
Happy birthday to you in four days.
(CROSSTALK)
SIDNER: Happy birthday. Hey.
MIKI SUDO: Thank you.
MAX SUDO: Thank you.
BLACKWELL: You are welcome.
CNN's Special FOURTH IN AMERICA coverage continues right now.
