The National Fried Chicken Festival is preparing to set up the deep fryers and music stages on the Lake Pontchartrain lakefront the weekend of October 22-23.
“Our team has been actively monitoring public safety measures surrounding large festivals and events and following the lead of other large, well-established events in the greater New Orleans area,” wrote Cleveland Spears, festival founder and producer, in an email to potential vendors and sponsors on March 23. “Based on the promising news of vaccination deployment, continued easing of restrictions, and the example set by other large events, we have begun planning in earnest to return the National Fried Chicken Festival in October of this year.”
The event will be held in the parklike grounds between Franklin Avenue and the Seabrook Bridge along Lakeshore Drive.
Founded in 2016, the free, outdoor, three-day festival in Woldenberg Park has offered food from more than 35 restaurants, music on two stages from bands that have included Sweet Crude and the Brass-A-Holics, dance groups, and family-friendly activities. Chefs compete in best fried chicken and best fried chicken dish contests. Past vendors have included Gus’ Fried Chicken, Bonafried, Blue Oak, Heard Dat Kitchen, The Original Fiorella’s Cafe, Willie’s Chicken Shack, McHardy’s Chicken N’ Fixins, Veganation, and others.
“We are excited to bring our guests back to celebrate togetherness, following what has been a tumultuous year for so many,” added Spears. “Most importantly, we are looking forward to providing a platform and venue to support so many of our musicians and independently owned restaurants.”
The news comes a week after Hogs for the Cause announced a 2021 return to a new location in Belle Chasse for the weekend of June 4-5.
October is shaping up to be a frenzy of festivals. The French Quarter Festival is scheduled for September 30–October 3, followed thereafter by The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival from October 8–17. Voodoo Fest has staked October 29–31. All of these mass gatherings are contingent upon approval from state and local authorities as Covid hospitalizations continue to decline and vaccinations maintain a steady pace.
