Forget the fireworks.

Forget the barbecues.

Today… today is our Mustard Yellow Belt Day!!!

Two years ago this was the scene:

This year… no Kobayashi. Supposedly it’s because he is in a labor dispute with Major League Eating.

Chestnut is eating virtually unchallenged, which may give Eater X (Tim Janus) an advantage to sneak up from behind to secure the Mustard Yellow Belt.

Still… I have faith in Chestnut… I’m calling it Chestnut with 70 for the belt.

Just in case you all try this competitive eating contest at home, please watch this video so you know what to do when someone starts choking:

UPDATE: It was Chestnut with 54. Yes, the Yellow Mustard Belt stays in America… but it’s sort of a little disgraceful that the man who ate 68 last year couldn’t break 60 or even bring himself within 10 of his last competition. I never thought I’d say it… but I actually hope Kobayashi comes back next year.