Gainesville Chicken Festival

Join us October 21st, 2023 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 – 4pm)

  • Georgia’s Official Chicken Cook-off, over a dozen teams and over 17,000 lbs of chicken!
  • People’s Choice Awards; vote for your favorite Pitmaster!
  • Live Music from Greg Hester!
    • A southern boy raised on soul, Greg captures the stories and tales from his gritty southern world and brings them to life with a catchy groove!
  • Kids’ Zone with bounce house, face painting and more!

New This Year!

Visit the Gainesville Convention and Visitors Burau’s NEW Mobile Visitors Center and pick up 1 of 12 EXCLUSIVE Gainesville postcards! Fill out the postcard and address it to yourself, a friend, or anyone that you think would like a “hello” from GVL. Drop it in the blue mailbox and we will mail it for FREE!

Pre-Sale Wristbands

  • Online sales begin on September 22nd: CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE YOUR WRISTBANDS
  • Pricing: 
    • Single Wristband (10 samples): $6
    • Cluck Pack (5 Wristbands): $25
  • Prepaid wristband(s) will be available for pick-up the day of the event at the Will Call tent.

Free Parking

  • Off-site parking location for 2023 is Lanier Park: 675 White Sulfur Road, Gainesville GA 30501.
    • Shuttle Hours: 10:45am – 4:15pm
    • The Gainesville Trolleys 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! 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 2024 will open on January 15th, 2024.*

CLICK HERE TO VIEW SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION

Ready to Get Cooking?

Click here to view the 2023 cook team application

 

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

CLICK HERE TO VIEW SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION

Gainesville Chicken Festival (2022 Recap)
2022 Awards Ceremony