The National Fried Chicken Festival is back and better than ever! Organizers of this free annual gathering, now in its third year, are expecting over 200,000 guests of all ages to gather in New Orleans for the love of this classic Southern staple.
During the festival, 35 restaurants and vendors from states across the Southeast will prepare their version of fried chicken and other Southern classics. A majority of these restaurants are based in Louisiana, including Dunbar’s; Felipe’s Taqueria; Ma Momma’s House of Cornbread, Chicken & Waffles; Old School Eats; We Dat’s Chicken & Shrimp; and Flavor Creations LLC, whose owner and chef Ryan Galle won his spot in the festival through Capital One Bank’s Getting Down to Business program.
The Fried Chicken Festival will take place September 22–23, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday. Converging on Woldenberg Park in the Crescent City, this year’s festival boasts three stages: Main Stage, DJ Stage, and Rouses Sizzle Shack. The Main Stage will feature a variety of headlining musical guests, namely Mannie Fresh, Amanda Shaw, Shamarr Allen and The Underdawgs, Flow Tribe, Uptown Jazz Orchestra, and Pine Leaf Boys. Rouses Sizzle Shack will feature cooking demonstrations from a variety of chefs, each showcasing their takes on fried chicken.
Additional experiences during the festival include a beer tasting garden with a global craft beer selection, a college and NFL football viewing area, the Mist and Chill Lounge, and a kids’ pavilion. Festival-goers also have the opportunity to upgrade their experience with a Moët Chicken and Champagne VIP Lounge by purchasing VIP tickets, priced at $75 plus processing fees.
For more information, a full list of vendors, and a performance schedule, visit the Fried Chicken Festival’s website.
