LONDON, Ky. — Many large-scale, in-person events are returning to their pre-pandemic operations this fall, including in Laurel County, where the city of London is hosting the World Chicken Festival this weekend.


What You Need To Know

  • The World Chicken Festival kicks off this weekend

  • The festival encourages regional tourism for the southeastern part of the state

  • Col. Harland Sanders opened the first and original Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant in southern Laurel County in the 1940s

  • There will be more than 160 vendors

The London Laurel Tourism Commission is organizing the festival that launched in 1990 and encourages regional tourism for the southeastern portion of the state, while also celebrating its history with fried chicken.

The event will be held outdoors. (London Laurel Tourism Commission)

Col. Harland Sanders opened the first and original Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant in southern Laurel County in the 1940s. Lee Cummings, the co-founder of Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken and Sanders’ nephew, also got his start in 1952 in Laurel County.

"I think it's so special. Yes, we take pride in our southern hospitality and another wonderful thing that the chicken festival is is all the food vendors that are at the festival are collaborated with nonprofit organizations. So some of these nonprofits, it's their biggest fundraiser of the year," said Kelly Burton, executive director of events and public relations with London Laurel Tourism Commission.

She continued, "Another highlight is the 84 lumber chicken invasion, where businesses have decorated wooden chickens. So you stop by the Laurel County courthouse and vote for your favorite chicken, and that proceeds will go to the Laurel County backpack program in the World Chicken Festival."

Burton said there will be over 160 vendors at the outdoor event with arts, crafts and unique gifts. There will also be extra hand-washing stations and emergency shelters for any kind of severe weather.

Col. Harland Sanders opened the first and original Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant in southern Laurel County in the 1940s. (London Laurel Tourism Commission)

This is the 32nd year for this festival and organizers have a full weekend of entertainment, attractions and contests for the thousands of people who are expected to flock to the event.

The World's Largest Skillet will return again this year, sizzling hot to prepare chicken lunches, opening at its new location off Broad Street. The serving tent will be located across from Sauced on Broad Street. The World's Largest Skillet will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. It will be closed on Sunday.

The World Chicken Festival Grand Parade will take place on Saturday at 10 a.m. during the festival. Grand Parade festivities begin on Main Street with parade contestants being judged and awarded in the following categories: business, nonprofit and school. Awards will be announced Saturday night on the Stage of Star

Find a full list of events, times and locations for the festival here.