National Corndog Day
National Corndog Day is a celebration that combines America’s beloved corn dog with basketball, specifically coinciding with the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship. A corn dog is a hot dog sausage coated in thick cornmeal batter, deep-fried to golden perfection, and served on a stick[3].
Quick Facts
- When is it: Third Saturday in March[6]
- Tagged as: Food & Drink, Snacks & Desserts[6]
- What’s the hashtag: #NationalCornDogDay[1]
- When was it founded: 1992[3]
- Who founded it: Brady Sahnow and Henry Otley[3]
History
The celebration began in Corvallis, Oregon, as a simple gathering of friends enjoying corn dogs while watching basketball. What started as an informal celebration quickly grew into a nationwide phenomenon, expanding to include tater tots and beer[3]. By 2008, the celebration had spread to five continents with nearly 5,000 parties, including one in Antarctica[3].
Timeline
- 1927: Krusty Korn Dog machine appears in hotel supplies catalog[4]
- 1940s: Pronto Pup begins selling cornmeal-coated hot dogs[4]
- 1942: Fletcher’s “Corny Dogs” debut at Texas State Fair[4]
- 1992: First National Corndog Day celebration[3]
Upcoming Dates
| Year | Month | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | March | 16 | Saturday |
| 2025 | March | 15 | Saturday |
| 2026 | March | 21 | Saturday |
Observed
The celebration is officially observed on the third Saturday in March, coinciding with the NCAA basketball tournament[6].
Fun Facts About Corndog Day
- The celebration has spread to over 30 U.S. states and even reached Australia[3].
- In 2012, Oregon’s Governor officially proclaimed March 17 as National Corndog Day[3].
- The event has its own theme song, written by Ben Brennan in 2009[3].
Quiz
- Who founded National Corndog Day?
- In which year was the first celebration held?
- Which state officially proclaimed National Corndog Day?
-(Answers: 1. Brady Sahnow and Henry Otley, 2. 1992, 3. Oregon)
FAQs
Q: Why is it celebrated in March?
A: It coincides with the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship[3].
Q: What’s traditionally served at celebrations?
A: Corn dogs, tater tots, and American beer[3].
Related
- State Fair Foods
- Basketball March Madness
- American Food Festivals
- Street Food History
