Chickenfest

Lake Anna Park, Downtown Barberton

Hosted by and for the benefit of United Way!

Chickenfest Returned!
In honor of Barberton’s claim as the Chicken Capital, the Barberton Area United Way hosted Chickenfest!^TM for 13 years. The last Chickenfest, sponsored by Barberton Area United Way, was held in 2000. Since the Barberton United Way and United Way of Summit County joined forces in 2004, plans had been progressing to reinstitute the popular food and entertainment festival. United Way of Summit County President Bob Kulinski announced the return of Chickenfest to Barberton’s Lake Anna Park on September 7^th and 8^th, 2007.

The 2007 Chickenfest featured local restaurants including DeVore’s Hopocan Gardens, Belgrade Garden, Milich’s Village Inn, and Hodge’s Cafe along with concessionaires Destefano’s and Byers. Entertainment included the local band ‘Accent’ on Friday night and ‘The New Flames Band’ from Barberton on Saturday. There were vendors on hand with home-made crafts and other business people displaying and selling their wares. Young kids enjoyed the inflatable slide and jousting, and kids of all ages enjoyed frozen chicken bowling and the rubber chicken toss.

While crafters, entertainment and carnival-style food items can be found at nearly any festival, there are some additional aspects unique to Chickenfest. For example, food vendors are required to serve only chicken. Variety is encouraged – chicken sausage, chicken gyros, chicken-kabobs, etc. -- but any meat products sold at Chickenfest must be chicken. Other food items, such as fries and elephant ears are also available.

Kulinski said, “We are pleased to return this tradition to the people of Barberton. We hope this will be just another reminder of the many ways the people of Barberton and surrounding communities are being served by United Way of Summit County.”

Food vendors and crafters interested in participating in the 2008 Chickenfest can call Michael Gaffney at 330.643.5532 or email mgaffney@uwsummit.org.