It’s all about the pacing. Just ask the Burgermeisters, the foursome of locals who managed to devour an entire nine-pound cheeseburger with their dignity intact.

The meisters—Noelle Rittenhouse, Kilian Rittenhouse, Wesley Behrend, Randy Rappe—took the competition slow and steady, outlasting more messy and boisterous competitors, who included The Chain Gang, Sacred Cheese Incident and favorites The Sasquatch Experience.

“You can’t just force it in,” Rappe explained, after the group claimed their pig-shaped trophies.

The Twede’s Cafe Cheeseburger Eating Contest crowned an afternoon of all-town fun at the North Bend Block Party. Live music, dance, art and children’s entertainment took place side by side with promotions and activities hosted by local businesses.

“We definitely want a pink race car,” said North Bend resident Greg Lowell, who helped his daughter Madison, 5, put together an off-kilter vehicle at the Banana Boogie race track, sponsored by Emerald City Smoothie with help from Encompass. “We’re going for best-looking.”

The downtown deals and all-ages activities were a big draw for his family.

“We came from Cannon Beach this morning to make it to the Block Party,” Lowell said.