Second Annual New Orleans National Fried Chicken Festival Expands
The second annual Fried Chicken Festival, which has been rebranded as the National Fried Chicken Festival , on Saturday, September 23 and Sunday, September 24 in New Orleans. In addition to a second day this year, the festival has also expanded to a much larger venue—Waldenberg Park— to accommodate more attendees, more vendors, and ultimately, more fried chicken.
The free festival, presented by Raising Cane's, will present a variety of fried chicken dishes created by both local establishments, as well as by venders from as far away as New York City. The number of vendors is set to increase from 25 to 35, which should help remedy last year's issue of long lines and extreme wait times. This year's vendor list includes local favorites such as Willie Mae's Scotch House, Dat Dog, McHardy's Chicken N' Fixins, and Willie's Chicken Shack, as well as vendors like Gus's Fried Chicken from Memphis and Hattie's Restaurant from Saratoga Springs, New York. The full list of vendors can be found online.
The festival also plans to add several new experiences and attractions to the two-day event, including a cooking demo stage as well as two music stages with a different line-up each day. Also new to the festival will be the Sucre sweet spot, which will sell a special treat for $8 or two ror $15; the AT&T and Best Buy Football Fan Zone, which will air NCAA football games on Saturday and NFL football on Sunday; and the Louisiana Federation for Children Kid's Coop, which will offer activities like face painting, space walks, karate demonstrations, and other educational activities. For those attendees who would like to experience the festival in style, VIP tickets to the Moet Chicken & Champagne Lounge can be purchased for $60 per day. These tickets include private viewing areas in front of the stage, all-day lounge and restroom access, a Moet Mini, one Belvedere vodka cocktail, one dish from Willie Mae's restaurant, and unlimited soft drinks and water.
The Fried Chicken Festival will run Saturday, September 23 from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. and Sunday September 24 from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. For more information on the second annual Fried Chicken Festival, visit the event website.