The Music City Hot Chicken Festival returns to spice up Middle Tennesseans Fourth of July festivities for its 18th year celebrating tastebud-titillating poultry and the people who love it.
The festival takes place 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, July 4, 2024 in East Park (700 Woodland St., Nashville) and admission is free for all ages.
“Since we started the Hot Chicken Festival 18 years ago, Nashville Hot Chicken has become an international phenomenon,” said Festival founder and former Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell. “Nashville Hot Chicken can be found on menus around the world, from high-end restaurants to fast food franchises. You can even buy Nashville Hot Chicken-flavored pretzels, popcorn and potato chips. But we are the original, and we are thrilled to once again celebrate our favorite local flavor at its source — and to eat a lot of hot chicken!”
The event will kick off, as always at 11 a.m. with the Hot Chicken Festival Parade, sponsored this year by Constellation Energy. The popular signature kickoff event is led by Bill Purcell, former Nashville mayor and Nashville’s unofficial hot chicken ambassador, followed by a host of vintage fire trucks (plus a few modern ones), marching bands, costumed mascots throwing parade beads and more.
Applications are open for the Amateur Cooking Competition. Register now for the chance to cook for our blue-ribbon panel of expert chicken judges. The winner will be presented with a trophy on the Festival stage on July 4, and portions of the contest will be shown on NewsChannel5’s Talk of the Town.
For more information about the Music City Hot Chicken Festival, visit hotchickenfestival.com.
