Tommy Tofu, PETA to Protest at Nathan's Hot Dog Eat Contest in Joey Chestnut's Return

Joey Chestnut's return to the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest will coincide with a protest from PETA.

Per TMZ Sports, a PETA spokesperson confirmed the organization, Tommy Tofu and other mascots will be at Coney Island on Friday during the event to hand out vegan hot dogs to spectators in the area so they can "enjoy a free, flavorful Fourth that is also animal-friendly."

PETA executive vice president Tracy Reiman told TMZ the organization "encourages everyone to let freedom ring for all by leaving animals in peace this Fourth of July and beyond."

This is not an unusual strategy for PETA to use to get its message across. It has frequently demonstrated at the Hot Dog Contest, though its presence at the event has shifted in recent years.

For instance, in 2021, PETA set up a stand near the site of the event to give out free vegan hot dogs and speak to interested passers-by who might be interested in going vegan.

Past protests, not involving PETA, have resulted in some potentially dangerous incidents. One protestor got onstage during the Nathan's Contest in 2016, leading to Chestnut holding the person in a headlock until security could get there to take him away.

Chestnut is making his return to the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest this year after being banned from the event in 2024 by Major League Eating due to an endorsement deal with Impossible Foods, a brand that competes with Nathan's.

Impossible Foods uses plant-based beef and sells a plant-based hot dog that Chestnut promoted as part of his endorsement deal, so perhaps he can do a photo-op with Tommy Tofu after the event is over.

All eyes will be on Chestnut during the event. He won the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest 16 times in 17 years from 2007 to 2023, with his lone defeat coming in 2015.

The 2025 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest will begin at 10:45 a.m. ET on Friday with the women's competition, followed by the men's event at 12 p.m. ET.