Alabama boiled peanuts, Connecticut clam pizza, Hawaiian pineapple and spam, Idaho mashed potatoes, and Maine lobsters.

Or, at least, Delish.com names those as some of the hot dog toppings by state.

No matter what dresses the wiener, this summertime favorite has no need for the formality of an honorary month and day, this year July 19.

Last year, throughout the United States, consumers spent more than $2.4 billion on hot dogs in U.S. supermarkets, according to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council.

During peak season, “from Memorial Day to Labor Day, Americans typically consume 7 billion hot dogs,” according to the NHDSC site. “That’s 818 hot dogs consumed every second during that period.”

Recently, my brother and nephews inhaled such a dinner, not because the meal was wonderful; instead, because vacationing away from certain relatives allowed for a meal not normally entertained.

So it goes. Call it a pastime, a tradition, convenience, or wallet saver, but the frank continues to dominate summertime plates.

Not just for the ballpark – fans nationwide enjoyed 19.4 million hot dogs during the 2016 season – but also for fundraisers, customer appreciations, quick meals, or just for fun. As attuned as Americans are to stars and stripes, so to do they recognize red, white, and yellow.

Coca Cola-soaked onions in Alaska, bacon-wrapped in California, mayo in Florida, peaches in Georgia, Indiana corn dog, Iowa succotash, Kansas popcorn.

Two hot dogs, boiled in a fry pan until warmed through. Drained of water then fried for an outer crisp. Loaded into two toasted rolls and topped with brown mustard. Complimented with a Honey Brown brew, and Saturday is once again Saturday for my father.

Hand held, no mess, no utensils, and with an edible bowl (the bun), it claims appreciation by nearly every demographic of American. Residents of every state in the nation find a way to consume the American variation of the Frankfurter.

It is fitting, then, that the first hot dog day was celebrated at a luncheon on Capitol Hill in 1991. Since then, National Hot Dog Day, created by the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, falls on whatever day the North American Meat Institute hosts its annual hot dog luncheon on the Hill.

Pimento cheese in Mississippi, Swiss and sauerkraut in Missouri, Rocky Mountain oysters in Montana, pine nuts in Nevada, poutine in New Hampshire (fries, gravy and cheese), New Jersey potato and peppers, New Mexico Frito.

Whether eating in or on the go, somewhere, somehow, the frank is always ‘in the ballpark.’ That goes double for Wednesday, July 19.

Send us your photos of you or your organization honoring National Hot Dog Month and Day.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com