Gainesville Chicken Festival

Join us in October 2025 at Lake Lanier Olympic Park for Georgia’s Official Chicken Cook-Off!

Backyard and professional BBQ teams compete at this Gainesville themed festival!

ACTIVITES (11am – 4:30pm)

  • Georgia’s Official Chicken Cook-off, over a dozen teams and over 7,000 lbs of chicken!
  • People’s Choice Awards; vote for your favorite Pitmaster!
  • Fun and exciting music brought to you by JB Jams!
  • Kids’ Zone with bounce house, crafts and more!
  • WING EATING CONTEST!

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

  • 11AM – Gates Open
  • 3PM – Wristband Sales End
  • 3:45PM – Food Service Ends
  • 4PM – Competition Awards
  • 4:30PM – Event Ends

Pre-Sale Wristbands

  • Online sales for 2025 coming soon!
  • Pricing: 
    • Single Wristband (10 samples): $6
    • Cluck Pack (5 Wristbands): $25

Free Parking

  • Off-site parking location for 2025: TBD 
    • Shuttle Hours: TBD
    • Shuttles will transport attendees from this lot to Lake Lanier Olympic Park.
    • Animals are not permitted access to the shuttles; exceptions being Service Animals at work. 
  • On-site parking at Lake Lanier Olympic Park is LIMITED!
  • Large parking lot for vehicles and overflow parking available across Clarks Bridge Road, accessible via pedestrian tunnel.
  • Courtesy dock, if arriving by boat! About 15 spots available in total.
  • Handicap accessible and public restrooms.
  • Pets allowed at event! Must be well-behaved and leashed.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Proceeds from the Gainesville Chicken Festival fund the Gainesville Spring Chicken Scholarship through the North Georgia Community Foundation for local students! This scholarship supports college students pursuing a degree in poultry science or a related agricultural degree.

*Applicants should be graduating high school seniors or current college students pursuing a degree in a related field! Applications for 2025 opening soon.*

CLICK HERE TO VIEW SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION

 

Interested in Becoming a Sponsor for Gainesville’s Chicken Festival?

CLICK HERE TO VIEW SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION

2023 Gainesville Chicken Festival (Recap)