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Celebrate July 4th in Queens With Waterfront BBQ, Hot Dog and Pie Eat-Offs

 LIC Landing, a new open-air cafe in Hunters Point South Park, will host a Fourth of July party on Friday.
LIC Landing, a new open-air cafe in Hunters Point South Park, will host a Fourth of July party on Friday.
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LIC Landing

LONG ISLAND CITY — Those who aren't throwing their own star-spangled party or setting up camp to watch the fireworks this Fourth of July can head to western Queens, where several bars and restaurants will be hosting a variety of events for the holiday.

Here's DNAinfo's roundup of places to celebrate Independence Day in Astoria and Long Island City, from a barbeque on the waterfront to a comedy club pie bake-off. 

Hot Dog Eating Contest at The POP BAR, 12-21 Astoria Blvd.
If you can't make it to Coney Island to watch the pros this year, the POP BAR in Astoria is hosting its own hot dog showdown on Friday.

The new art-themed watering hole is throwing a grand opening backyard bash complete with a hot dog-eating contest, where participants get five minutes to chow down as many frankfurters as they can.

The winner gets $50, while second place scores an original coloring book from graffiti artist SHIRO, whose work can be spotted inside the bar and decorating its front facade.

The contest will start at 8:30 p.m., but happy hour specials will run from 5 to 8 p.m. and include $1 chicken wings and $5 pints and well drinks. Local rock band Another Dead Clown will perform at 9 p.m.

"It's our form of fireworks," said owner Jeremy Osslund.

Waterfront BBQ at LIC Landing, Hunters Point South Park
LIC Landing, the new outdoor eatery that opened this spring in Long Island City's Hunters Point South Park, will host an all-you-can-eat and drink party in its waterfront event space, which offers sweeping views of Manhattan and the East River.

The celebration will feature a live DJ and barbeque from pitmaster John Zervoulakos, with eats like beef brisket, Berkshire pulled pork, baby back ribs, pork belly, chicken burgers and hot dogs.

Sides will come from locally-based food purveyors, like salads from the rooftop farm at Brooklyn Grange, breads from Tom Cat Bakery, ice cream from Ice & Vice and cupcakes from Pink Canary, a new sweets shop on Jackson Avenue. Astoria's SingleCut Beersmiths will provide the brews.

And while Macy's famed fireworks will be shot off near the Brooklyn Bridge, LIC Landing owner Frank Raffaele says he thinks they'll have a view of the action.

"We see the top of the Brooklyn Bridge from the park, from our site," he said. "We feel pretty confident we’ll have a view of the fireworks. But either way we're moving forward, we're celebrating."

The event lasts from 6 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $100 and can be purchased here, and a portion of all proceeds will go to the local parks advocacy group Hunters Point Parks Conservancy.

Pie Night at The Creek and The Cave, 10-93 Jackson Ave.
The Creek and The Cave will host a pie-filled Fourth of July. The Long Island City comedy club is throwing a pie bake-off and a pie-eating contest on Friday, followed by a night of stand-up.

The pie festivities will take place on the eatery's back patio beginning at 7 p.m.

Those who want to show off their baking skills can enter the pie bake-off for $5, and will be asked to bring two pies — one for the judges and one to be sold to the audience, for a $1 a slice — for a chance to win cash and prizes.

The bake-off will be followed by a pie-eating contest to see who can finish the American dessert the fastest. Space is limited, and those interested in entering need to send an email to creekcavebar@gmail.com.

The club will also be serving bacon-wrapped hot dogs and drink specials.

Special July 4th Menu at The Queens Kickshaw, 40-17 Broadway 
For vegetarians who want to partake in the holiday's hot dog-eating tradition, The Queens Kickshaw is offering a special menu this weekend that features "smoky cornpups" — the eatery's take on a corn dog that's made with smoked tofu inside, served with house-made ketchup.

Other items on the Fourth of July menu include a watermelon salad, chilled corn soup and chocolate tacos. Specials will be available all day Friday and Saturday and Sunday evenings.