Look Who’s Cookin’

National Fried Chicken Day brings Fried Chicken Fest Announcement

Today, July 6, is National Fried Chicken Day. And in conjunction with this hallowed day, the organizers of the inaugural Fried Chicken Festival (FCF) have announced the vendor line up for their brand new food festival slated for Sunday, September 25, 2016.

The 25 vendors chosen to participate in the new free festival include touted local favorites: Bayou Hot Wings, Diva Dawg, McHardy's Fried Chicken, Milkfish, The Company Burger, Crepes a la Cart and more.

"Since today is National Fried Chicken Day, we knew it was the perfect opportunity to unveil our vendors," said Cleveland Spears, III, FCF organizer and president/CEO of the Spears Group. "Our vendors are diverse like our city, each providing their own twist to the classic dish. With so much excitement surrounding the festival, many of our vendors will appeal to the lovers of fried chicken and festival goers alike."

There are some real surprises on the vendor list that aren’t the usual suspects at New Orleans festivals. Tchefuncta Country Club will cross the lake from Covington, Delpit’s Chicken Shack will make the drive from Baton Rouge and Cajun caterer A Taste of Houma will undoubtedly bring the heat.

In a move that might ruffle some local feathers, the snowballs appear to be imported from Georgia. Orleagian Snowballs, whose slogan is “A taste of New Orleans for the pleasure of Georgians,” operates out of Atlanta and is included as a vendor for FCF. One wonders if they will stay in town for the following day’s Monday Night Football game of our beloved Saints versus the Dirty Birds.

Which is actually part of the inspired timing for the FCF. Spears Group points out that the preceding Saturday, September 24 brings Beyonce’s Formation Tour to New Orleans and the Monday Night Football game will keep visitors in town through the weekend. Nestled in between two powerhouse events, the festival has secured a lucrative date for their launch.

The music lineup for the festival has yet to be announced, but you can bet there will be some incredible talent on the stage, as well as a chicken wing eating contest. The festival will take place at Lafayette Square Park in the Central Business District from 11 a.m to 8 p.m.

And if you can’t wait to eat fried chicken until then and are actually reading this on July 6, celebrate National Fried Chicken Day with one of these local options: Popeye’s Fried Chicken is planning a Live Facebook event during lunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Church’s Fried Chicken is offering an eight-piece special for $6.99 at participating locations; and the Al Copeland Foundation is holding their Copeland’s Chicken Jam, which is a fundraiser for cancer research. Tickets are available at the door for $15 for the event, which takes place at Southport Hall from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.