St. Christopher Fiesta in Midlothian, Illinois, Sunday, July 22, 2012. | Joseph P. Meier~Sun-Times Media

Jennifer Murray, of Midlothian, holds on to her son Aidan, 6, while new friend Ryan Strelczyk, 11, of Midlothian lets out a yell on the Pharaoh's Fury ride at the St. Christopher Fiesta in Midlothian, Illinois, Sunday, July 22, 2012. | Joseph P. Meier~Sun-Times Media

Midlothian Mayor Terry Stephens splashes down in the dunk tank at the St. Christopher Fiesta in Midlothian, Illinois, Sunday, July 22, 2012. | Joseph P. Meier~Sun-Times Media

Dominic Bartolini takes aim on a meatball as contestants gathered for the 7th Annual Bartolini's Meatball Eating Championship at the St. Christopher Fiesta in Midlothian, Illinois, Sunday, July 22, 2012. | Joseph P. Meier~Sun-Times Media

Tony Esposito, of Tinley Park, bites into the first of 10 meatballs on his plate in the 7th Annual Bartolini's Meatball Eating Championship at the St. Christopher Fiesta in Midlothian, Illinois, Sunday, July 22, 2012. | Joseph P. Meier~Sun-Times Media

With trophies lining the stage Dominic Bartolini riles up the crowd gathered for the 7th Annual Bartolini's Meatball Eating Championship at the St. Christopher Fiesta in Midlothian, Illinois, Sunday, July 22, 2012. | Joseph P. Meier~Sun-Times Media

Jackie Bartolini carrys in the trophies for the 7th Annual Bartolini's Meatball Eating Championship at the St. Christopher Fiesta in Midlothian, Illinois, Sunday, July 22, 2012. | Joseph P. Meier~Sun-Times Media

Debbie Hartley, of Crestwood, reaches out for a free sample meatball as the crowd watches the 7th Annual Bartolini's Meatball Eating Championship at the St. Christopher Fiesta in Midlothian, Illinois, Sunday, July 22, 2012. | Joseph P. Meier~Sun-Times Media

Dominic Bartolini yells encouragement to Ken Wisniewski, of Posen, as Ken picks up his 19th meatball in the 7th Annual Bartolini's Meatball Eating Championship at the St. Christopher Fiesta in Midlothian, Illinois, Sunday, July 22, 2012. | Joseph P. Meier~Sun-Times Media

Ken Wisniewski, of Posen, wipes at his mouth as he eats his 19th meatball in the 7th Annual Bartolini's Meatball Eating Championship at the St. Christopher Fiesta in Midlothian, Illinois, Sunday, July 22, 2012. | Joseph P. Meier~Sun-Times Media

Chet Pryszcz, of Chicago Heights, works on one of 14-1/2 meatballs he ate in the 7th Annual Bartolini's Meatball Eating Championship at the St. Christopher Fiesta in Midlothian, Illinois, Sunday, July 22, 2012. | Joseph P. Meier~Sun-Times Media

Ken Wisniewski, of Posen, a congratulatory high five from Dominic Bartolini after eating 19-1/2 meatballs in the 7th Annual Bartolini's Meatball Eating Championship at the St. Christopher Fiesta in Midlothian, Illinois, Sunday, July 22, 2012. | Joseph P. Meier~Sun-Times Media