Inaugural Fried Chicken Festival 5K to Take place in October
Taking place along New Orleans' beautiful lakefront, the National Fried Chicken Festival has recently announced their first Fried Chicken Festival 5K to promote a healthy balance between loving food and prioritizing health.
Beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, October 4, participants are invited to run and/or walk a 5K just before the festival gates open at 11 a.m., where they will be met with a post-race celebration. The festival will also host a kid-friendly one mile run at 10 a.m. for kids 12 and under while ensuring the 5K is family friendly and welcome to all.
The post race celebration will include complimentary food and drink from some of the 40 restaurants that will compete for titles and serve hungry festival goers.
Cleveland Spears III, the executive producer of the festival, said in a press release, "We believe the introduction of this 5K hosted by the National Fried Chicken Festival sends a message that we can embrace our love of food while still being intentional about our health and wellness."
All participants in the 5K will be granted free entry to the festival on Saturday. Race registration is open now and can be found at this link.
Fried Chicken Festival Details
On October 4 and 5, the National Fried Chicken Festival, presented by Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers, will celebrate music and food while bringing the community together outside. Founded in 2016, the festival attracts guests come from across the country to celebrate the favored Southern dish and witness the judging panels rank their favorite vendors and dishes.
Over 40 vendors will compete for titles including "Best Use of Chicken in a Dish" and "Best Fried Chicken," leading the festival to be named the #6 Best Specialty Food Festival by the USA Today readers choice awards in 2024.
While the music and vendors for this years festival are yet to be announced, you can rely on the fact that you won't want to miss this event. Drawing festival goers from across the country to share their love for the delicacy that is fried chicken, good beer, even better music, and delicious food are also guaranteed.
More Than Fried Chicken
As one of the Big Easy's famed food festivals, Raising Cane's has raised the stakes this year with the addition of a 5K and post race party. The inaugural Fried Chicken Festival 5K embodies the festival's commitment to celebrating delicious food while promoting healthy lifestyles. This exciting addition to the festival creates an opportunity for participants to earn their feast through fitness, making the fried chicken even more satisfying.
With free festival entry for all 5K participants and a family-friendly atmosphere that welcomes runners and walkers of all ages, this inaugural race is set to become an annual tradition that brings the community together in both health and celebration. You can have your fried chicken and run for it too!
