| Hickman County, Ky., has more chicken barns per capita than any other county in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. With more than 200 chicken barns, it is only natural that residents there would have a Spring Chicken Festival.
“That’s a bunch of chickens when you consider that most barns house between 20,000 to 30,000 chickens. Quite frankly, we are proud of our poultry producers and all things agricultural in Hickman County, and we want to celebrate it with our neighbors and friends,” Ken Jewell said.
The annual Clinton-Hickman County Spring Chicken Festival is held on the fourth weekend in April. This year’s festivities will actually get under way Sunday from 2-4 p.m. at Hickman County Elementary School with the first-ever Finest of the Feathers pageants.
Mr. and Miss Hatchlings, for boys and girls ages 2-6 months, will be crowned first, followed by Mr. and Miss Chicks for children 7-12 months and Little Peepers from 12-23 months. Other categories include Peepers for ages 2-3 years old, Mini for ages 4-5 years old, Junior for ages 6-8 years old, Teen Miss for ages 9-14 years old and Miss for ages 15-21 years old. Attire is Sunday dress or country dress, with formal attire not required. The general entry fee is $20. Participants do not have to live in Hickman County. All first-place finalists will be paraded around the Hickman County Courthouse during the Chicken Festival on April 27.
A pistol and trap shoot will be held April 20 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at DDI Deer Camp. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the entry fee is $20. Participants will provide their own pistol of any caliber or shot gun of an gauge and ammunition. Mark Green and Chad Frizzell are leading the event. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third places. For more information, call Jason Batts at (270) 653-6924.
A Chicken Idol singing contest will be held April 26 from 6-10 p.m. There will be two age categories, which will be determined by the number and ages of participants. The entry fee of $10 must be presented by 5:30 p.m. that Friday evening. Checks should be made payable to HCEDA Chicken Fest and may be sent prior to the event to First Community Bank, Attn: Deena Pittman, P.O. Box 138, Clinton, Ky., 42031. The first-place winners will receive $50 and the second-place winners will receive $25. Winners may be asked to perform at the April 27 events.
The third annual Chicken Festival Run/Walk will start at 8:30 a.m. April 27 with the 10K run, followed by the 5K at 9. Registration will be held beginning at 7:45 a.m. at First Community Bank. Fees are $15 for the 5K and $20 for the 10K when paid through Saturday and increase to $20 and $25, respectively, beginning Sunday. Entry forms may be turned in at the bank, given to Jimbo Berry at the Hickman County clerk’s office or mailed to Andrea Williford, c/o Chicken Festival 5K, 1832 State Route 123E, Clinton, KY 42031. A one-mile Kids Fun Run will also be held.
A Slingin’ Feed Cornhole Tourney will begin at 11 a.m., with registration at 10. This is a double elimination tournament. First prize is $200, second prize is $100 and third prize is $50. The fee is $20 per team and the event is a fundraiser to benefit Hickman County High School and Project Graduation.
Throughout the day there will be live music by local artists from Carlisle, Hickman and Fulton counties, and the Mark Hobbs and Best Response band will play from 1-3 p.m.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a festival without delicious food. Vendors will be selling a variety of foods, including chicken, barbecue, corndogs, hamburgers, pies, cakes, homemade cookies and more. Arts and crafts booths will be set up 6-10 p.m. April 26 and 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. April 27. Applications for booth spaces are due by April 19 with a $25 fee for a 12-foot by 12-foot space or $50 for a double space. For more information, call (270) 653-2231 or (270) 653-4044, ext. 2034, or email springchickenfest@gmail.com.
Other activities include a Wild-Wing Cook-Off contest, a petting zoo, antique farm equipment and bump-n-jumps and games.
For more information, forms and applications, visit www.clintonhickmancountychamber.com for more information. Published in The Messenger 4.12.13 |
