Come one, come all for a speggtacular time at the 44th annual Wayne Chicken Show! Don't stay all couped up inside, bring all your fowl friends and flock down for all the weekend's festivities.
This year's theme is American Pluckers - Aged to Perf-Egg-Tion.
Events will kick off Friday, July 12 on Main Street in downtown Wayne.
The weekly Chamber Coffee will be hosted by the Chicken Show Committee and will be located in the 200 Block of Main Street at 10 a.m.
From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. everyone is encouraged to take part in a Sidewalk Chalk Competition at the Blue Cat Gallery, located at 114 West Third Street. Judging of these entries will take place from 3 to 5 p.m.
At 3:30 p.m., those interested in predicting the weather can take part in the KCAU Guest Weather event in the alley in the 200 Block of Main Street.
"Chickens & Other Signs of Rural Life" is the theme of the art reception at the Blue Cat Gallery, located at 114 West Third Street. The reception runs from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Food, fun and craft vendors will be set up along Main Street beginning at 6 p.m. until 10 p.m.
A pie and ice cream social, hosted by Eastern Star Chapter #194 will be held in the Wayne City Auditorium starting at 5 p.m.
Evening street activities get underway at 6 p.m. with the World's Largest Chicken Dance, led by the Wayne State College and Wayne High School Cheer Squads.
The National Anthem will be sung at 6:30 p.m. on the stage at Third and Main Streets and will be followed by a Quilts of Valor presentation.
The Cement Chicken Auction will take place at 7 p.m.
A saucy hot wing eating contest, sponsored by Pizza Hut, is set to begin at 8 p.m. Particpants can pre-register at Pizza Hut or on-site the evening of the event.
Musical entertainment for the evening will be provided by Gallivant, beginning at 8:30 p.m.
Weather permitting, the annual Light Up the Sky Fireworks display will begin at 10 p.m. at the Summer Sports Complex/Prairie Park, located at 801 East Fourth Street.
Saturday, July 13 starts with a 5K/1 mile Chicken Run at 7 a.m. which begins at Providence Medical Center.
The Kiwanis Omelet Feed will again be held downtown at the corner of Second and Main Streets from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Indoor and outdoor seating will be available.
Weather permitting, Free Young Eagles Plane Rides will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wayne Municipal Airport. It is open to those 8 to 17 years of age with parental consent.
A quilt show will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge, across the street from Bressler Park. It is hosted by the Piecemakers Quilt group.
Activities on Saturday at Bressler Park include the live rooster crowing contest at 9 a.m. and best chicken legs on a human, the National Cluck-Off, hard boiled egg eating contest, rubber chicken chuck, egg toss and egg drop/catch starting at 1 p.m. and continuing throughout the afternoon.
Prior to the start of the contests, a Chicken Scratch for prizes will allow youth the opportunity to dig through the sand for coins, which they will be able to keep.
Arts, crafts, fun and food vendors will be available at the park throughout the day, as will cluck-tible souvenirs.
Inflatables will be at the park all day.
Dusty Road Petting Zoo will be located in the park all day.
The Chicken Show Parade begins at 9:30 a.m. at First and Main and travels north on Main Street to 10th Street and then west on 10th Street to Bressler Park.
The Wayne County Museum, located at Seventh and Lincoln Streets, will be open for self-guided tours from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.
Entertainment during the noon hour at the park will be the Siouxland Discovery Chorus.
A Cornhole Tournament will take place at the Wayne County Fairgrounds, beginning at 1 p.m.
Bressler Fest will host The Wayne County Troubadours with Music in the Park beginning at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Live Music out at the Beaumont will feature musical guest Tigan Nissen Saturday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Planetarium shows will be presented at noon, 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. at the Carhart Science Building on the Wayne State College campus. Free tickets will be available at the Information Booth in Bressler Park.
Axe throwing will take place at Dreamer's Place, located at 85726 575th Avenue from 5 to 7 p.m.
An all-class social hour for Wayne High alumni will begin at 6 p.m. at the Wayne City Auditorium, with music provided by the Sons of Satan from 8 p.m. to midnight.
The Crowing Motors Car Show will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 14, on Second Street, between Main and Pearl, Streets and along Pearl Street. All vehicles are welcome and prizes will be voted on by spectator vote.
Braden Sharp, the Marketing and Tourism Coordinator for Wayne America, Inc., has been overseeing the planning for this year's Chicken Show. "I was here last year in May, so I got to run through the event but not actually plan it. Planning it has definitely been a learning curve, working with the committee to help keep old traditions while adding new things to bring in more and more people to the event.
"We are excited for this year with the theme American Pluckers, a spin on the American Pickers TV show, looking for that rustic vibe. One big addition was involving the community more this year, highlighting more events and goings on.
"The Eagles Club is hosting a pitch tournament and a Bloody Mary bar on Saturday morning, and Dreamer's Place will have an axe throwing contest.
"The concert out at the Beaumont was another big addition for people to have a good time and wrap up Saturday."
Don't let the weekend fly past! For more information on activities and photos, check the Chicken Show's website www.chickenshow.com
