SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- World-famous competitive eater Joey Chestnut has been chosen as the 2024 DIRECTV Holiday Bowl "Chief Eggnog Official." He will also serve as the Grand Marshal of the Holiday Bowl Parade.
The bayside parade precedes the big game between Syracuse and Washington State on Friday, Dec. 27. It starts at 10 a.m., rain or shine, along North Harbor Drive in downtown San Diego.
As Chief Eggnog Official, Chestnut will have the honor of overseeing the Holiday Bowl's second annual celebratory "eggnog dump" on whichever coach wins.
Known as the world's top competitive eater, Chestnut holds more than 60 world records for eating various foods. He is a 16-time champion of the July 4 hot dog eating contest, as well as a record-holder for eating 83 hot dogs in 10 minutes.
"He is known for his amazing competitive eating and he trains for these titles like a world class athlete," said Mark Neville, CEO of the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl and Sports San Diego.
The parade is a long tradition of the Holiday Bowl, bringing together marching bands, gigantic balloons, drill teams and more for families to enjoy. Street-side viewing of the parade is free and grandstand tickets cost $30 each.
Past honorary chairmen of the Holiday Bowl include La Mesa native and Hall of Famer Bill Walton, who played collegiately for UCLA and professionally for the Portland Trailblazers, NFL and NCAA football coach Don Coryell, former San Diego Padres pitcher Randy Jones and retired Olympic long distance runner Meb Keflezighi.
The Holiday Bowl kicks off at Snapdragon Stadium on Friday, Dec. 27 at 5 p.m. Pacific Standard Time (8 p.m. Eastern).