Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Chicken And Egg Festival To Begin July 19

Do not be alarmed.

Do not be afraid.

Be very, very happy.

Why?

Because it's almost time for the annual Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce Chicken and Egg Festival.

This year's festival will begin Friday, July 19 from 5-10 p.m. at the Prescott City Park.

Saturday's action starts nice and early at 9 a.m., lasting until 5 p.m., when the booths at the chicken market close for the day.

Many of the sporting events will actually start Thursday evening, though.

However, the best part of any festival for a good number of people is the food displays.

Friday, from 5-7 p.m., the chicken feeder troughs open up with the Chicken in the Rough venue, operated by the Prescott Men's Ministry at the Park Pavilion.

Saturday's feasting begins at 6:30 a.m., also at the pavilion, with the Kiwanis Club's Annual Omelette Breakfast.

Other food concessions will be open from 5-10 p.m. Friday, and Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

And, again this year, the youngsters will get the chance to participate in the Golden Egg Hunt. The hunt is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. Saturday in the park.

Additionally, there will be games, novelty booths and plenty of rides for the children (of all ages).

From 6:30-9:30 p.m. Friday festival visitors will be entertained royally at the festival stage. However, these visiting cluckers need to bring their own nesting areas -- preferably lawn chairs (they're easier to arrange than straw nests).

The entertainment will continue throughout the day Saturday.

Yard bird games will begin Thursday with the annual Fowl Ball Men's Softball Tournament at Bemis Field, concluding Saturday with a new chicken champ crowned.

The Chicks with Sticks Women's Softball Tournament will be played on Livingston Field from Thursday until its completion Saturday. And these chicks know what to do with their sticks.

For the runners in the crowd, there is the Chase the Chicken 5K run/walk. The chicken will start hotfooting it around the course at 8 a.m. sharp.

For the younger thinclads, the Chick Chaser's Kids Run will take off at 9 a.m.

When the Coop Hoop starts at 5 p.m. Friday, the orange eggs will be filling the air, looking to roost in a comfortable nest of nylon. Cackleberry teams will hit the courts, each trying to lay more eggs then its opponent and claim the '96 Coop Hoop title.

The competition for the three-on-three basketball tournament will conclude Saturday.

Those athletes who prefer a more sedentary sport can try their hands at wringing necks, well, the ring a neck horseshoe pitching tournament.

Tossing the horseshoes takes skill and accuracy, along with plenty of technique. Those interested in this event will need to be at the park at 9 a.m. Saturday.

Something eggstra will be served up at the annual tennis tourney. This contest begins Thursday and concludes Saturday with the top fowl being named.

There is one event not for the faint of heart, or back, legs, arms or any other part of the anatomy.

Bragging rights for the Cock of the Walk Weight Lifting Tournament will be up for grabs at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Nerds need not apply, cause this event ain't for momma's boys.

However, there's still something for everyone at the festival. Auto buffs can enjoy themselves by drooling over the antique cars. This event begins at 9 a.m. Saturday.

Though the temperatures may be hot enough to fry eggs on the hoods of the antique cars, there's no need to be chicken and miss the '96 Chicken and Egg Festival.

Be there or get fried.