Kwan is the two-time defending champion of the hot-dog eating competition at the Foodtruck Wars. This year he will be facing a highly-touted import from Vancouver. John Child, who eats under the name Step Daddy J, has been participating in competitions since 2011, and claims to be unbeaten in Western Canada. His stats, listed on eatfeats.com, are impressive.

Here is what he did in 2018:

• Won a perogy eating competition in Winnipeg for the third straight year, eating 59 in 10 minutes. Clearly, he doesn’t chew his food.
• Won a Sandwich Slammin Championship in New Westminster, B.C., eating five and three quarters of them in 15 minutes.
• Won the Chimney dog eating contest in Calgary, where he got down eight in five minutes. There is much more to a Chimney dog than a basic hot dog.
The 235-pounder earned $700 for the wins and a whole bunch of other stuff, including free Chimney dogs for a year. The way he eats, he could put the company out of business. He is not a picky eater. In addition to those listed above, he’s won events for meatballs, pizza, pie, tacos and burgers. He has entered both the hot dog eating and pie eating competitions at Foodtruck Wars, which will be held from July 26-28 on 20th Street West between Avenues C and F. “I love hot dogs, perogies and sushi,” he said in an email to event organizers. “I can’t wait to participate in Saskatoon.” The hot dog competition will be held July 27 at 6 p.m. and the pie eating at 3 p.m. on July 28.

There is much more on the plate at the fifth annual Foodtruck Wars festival.

• There will be a kickoff night on July 25 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. “It’s a small-scale event,” said festival coorganizer Rick Mah. “We will have a beer garden, four food trucks and Prairie Pro Wrestling. It’s a chance for people to come down, have a bite to eat, have a beer and enjoy some wrestling.”
• A food truck from Winnipeg will be participating. It serves Japanesestyle food from a 30-foot trailer.
• There will be more than 20 food vendors.
• There will be a karaoke competition with a top prize of $1,000. Eight competitors will be pre-selected, with others qualifying at the festival.
• Prairie Pro Wrestling will do three shows.
• There will be a family fun zone in O’Brians parking lot.
• There will be a mini fresh-produce market, as well as market vendors selling their wares.
• There will be a strong man competition.
• There will be a busker circle, including one for novices. Buskers don’t pay a fee to participate.
• Bartari Video Game Bar & Restaurant will have free gaming throughout the festival.
• It is a zero-waste festival. Affinity Credit Union and the Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council will oversee the project.

Foodtruck Wars wouldn’t be a war without a competition for the best food. Each truck will submit one item to be judged, and then a winner will be named. For more information, including times of the various events, visit foodtruckwarsyxe.com.

Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan July 3 to Aug. 18

A not-for-profit, registered charity incorporated in 1985, Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan Festival Inc. continues to provide exciting contemporary and traditional productions of plays by Shakespeare and his contemporaries. Plays are performed in repertory by professional artists, in large tents on the banks of the South Saskatchewan River. The festival runs from July 3 to Aug. 18. Matinees are performed during certain weekdays and all weekends. In addition to performances, companion activities such as medieval feasts, workshops, tours and art displays. The featured plays this year are The Comedy of Errors and As You Like It

A Taste of Saskatchewan July 16-21

Saskatoon’s festival of fabulous food features more than 30 of Saskatoon’s finest restaurants serving their house favourite dishes for six days in July in beautiful Kiwanis Park. The menu is outstanding, from succulent entrées to delicious desserts to specialty items. Enjoy old favourites or try something new — A Taste of Saskatchewan is indeed Saskatoon’s Flavourite Event. A Taste of Saskatchewan also features Saskatchewan’s premier bands and performers. The menu includes everything from country, rock, Celtic, blues, reggae, salsa, jazz, pop, and more, giving everyone a Taste of Saskatchewan’s musical talents. This year’s festival runs from July 16-21. For more information, visit www.tasteofsaskatchewan.ca.

Dragon Boat Festival July 19-20

Saskatoon Dragon Boat Festival will take place on July 19-20 on the South Saskatchewan River. This is a fundraising event for Children’s Wish and Ronald McDonald Foundations of Saskatchewan. More than 45 corporate and community teams are expected to participate in the event. The event raises more than $100,000 annually, with an estimated 2,500 people participating. The best viewing area is between the Sid Buckwold Bridge and the Traffic Bridge.

The Fringe Festival August 1-10

The Nutrien Fringe Theatre Festival has a rich history in the city. It was launched in 1989 by 25th Street House Players. 25th Street Theatre was the first professional theatre company, with its roots dating back to 1972. In addition to theatre, the festival offers craft vending, food vending, theatre art and busking. It has become a popular Saskatoon gathering spot, with more than 60,000 people hitting Broadway during the festival. This year’s festival will be held from Aug. 1 to Aug. 10. More information can be found at www.25thstreettheatre.org

Ribfest August 2-5

This four-day family event at Diefenbaker Park offers delicious, succulent ribs barbecued by some of Canada’s top ribbers, plus live entertainment, a children’s fun area, food vendors and beer gardens. Admission, parking, children’s activities and musical entertainment are free. Organized by the Rotary Club of Saskatoon Nutana, proceeds support the Rotary’s work in the community. Donations are appreciated. The event runs from Aug. 2-5. For more information, visit saskatoonribfest.com.

The Exhibition August 6-11

The Saskatoon Exhibition is an annual event eagerly awaited by thousands of people each year. Come rain or shine, more than 200,000 people attend the six-day event. Exhilarating carnival rides, diverse food stands, and the ever-entertaining headlining grandstand are just a few of the Exhibition’s many highlights. This year’s exhibition will be held Aug. 6 to Aug. 11 at Prairieland Park. For more information, visit www.saskatoonexhibition.ca.

Folkfest August 15-17

People can “Share Our World” through the more than 20 pavilions which represent some of our many thriving cultures in Saskatoon. We are fortunate to have so many proud cultural groups who create their pavilions to share the sights, sounds and smells that remind them of their homes. We are lucky to have the opportunity to share our world together. Come out and enjoy the displays, dance to the entertainment and tempt your taste buds with some ethnic cuisine. Folkfest runs from Aug. 15-17. For more information, visit www.saskatoonfolkfest.com.

CO-OP YXE Beer Wars August 23-24

The YXE Beer Wars is a new festival. It will support the fine craft beer, wine & spirits producers of Saskatchewan. There will be 28 craft beer, wine and spirits vendors, and a selection of traditional brewed beer. In addition, there will be food vendors, a covered seating area and Bartari’s video game lounge. This is a 19+ event that will be held in Kiwanis Memorial Park North. For more information, visit yxebeerwars.com.

Nutrien Fireworks Festival August 30-31

The hub of activity for the Nutrien Fireworks Festival is Saskatoon’s spectacular River Landing, along the South Saskatchewan River in the heart of Saskatoon. Live shows take place on Friday and Saturday evenings at two locations: the Amphitheatre at River Landing and Friendship Park. Both evenings are topped off with a fantastic fireworks display set to music. The PotashCorp Fireworks Festival is truly a community celebration. Aside from the terrific entertainment and amazing fireworks displays, the festival features food, fun for kids and adults, demonstrations and games, and a bike valet service. This year’s festival will be held Aug. 30-Aug. 31.

-Cam Hutchinson