Hungry competitors can get a free meal at the North Bend Block Party. But there’s a catch.

The meal in question is a hamburger weighing more than eight pounds, and the huge sandwich comes as part of the Twede’s Cafe burger eating contest.

Competitive eating teams are expected to return for the scarfing competition, slated for Saturday, July 17. There is no cost to take part.

“It was fun, it was messy,” recalled Kyle Twede, emcee of the event and owner of Twede’s Cafe in North Bend and the Chew Chew Cafe in Snoqualmie.

The huge “Party Burger” comes on a hearty bun baked by George’s Bakery. It’s no wimpy piece of bread.

Twede cautions that the competition is not for the weak of stomach.

“It’s a lot of food,” he said. Competition can take as long as 20 minutes, with team members wolfing down bites, sometimes soaking their burger slices in cold water to speed things up.

Twede encourages teams of four to sign up.

“People cheer, laugh,” he said. “The smart ones get up there and have a burger for free.”

George’s Bakery also hosts the donut-eating competition.

If you can’t finish your burger, it’s OK: The dog fashion show comes up afterwards.

To sign up for the eating contest, call Kyle Twede at (425) 831-5511.