October 3rd, 2026 – 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Location:
Downtown Gordonsville
112 S MAIN STREET, GORDONSVILLE, VA 22942
Vendor Applications:
General vendor (due August 31st, 2026):
13th Annual Fried Chicken Festival – Market Vendor Application – Fill out form
Food vendor (due July 31st, 2026):
13th Annual Fried Chicken Festival – Food Vendor Application – Fill out form
Note: Due to the high volume of vendor applications, all applications will be evaluated based on the event’s criteria to ensure a fun-filled event in line with the Fried Chicken Festival’s theme. Selected vendors will be contacted on a rolling basis until all spots are filled.
History of the Fried Chicken Festival:
Gordonsville is famous for its fried chicken. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, local women carrying platters of the delicacy on their heads served it, along with pies and coffee, to passengers of trains stopping in town. Nationally known at that time, Gordonsville’s fried chicken earned the town the nickname of “chicken-leg center of the universe”.
Click on this link to view VPM’s Hidden History with Brian Bullock‘s brief about Gordonsville’s fried chicken heritage.
We couldn’t have this festival without the generous support of our sponsors:
– Partner’s First Bank
– Piedmont Communications
Information:
– This is a rain or shine event! (Unless there is a declared State of Emergency).
– NO PETS PERMITTED AT THIS EVENT.
ACTIVITIES:
Join in on the fun at the Fried Chicken Festival and become a cook-off contestant! Cook-off guidelines and contest entry forms may be accessed by clicking on these links:
Fried-chicken contest
Pie contest
Brag about and showcase your family’s fried chicken recipe! Watch people’s mouths water in anticipation of your greatest pie yet! In addition to gaining the ultimate bragging rights for the next year, you could win one of the following prizes:
Fried Chicken Contest
1st place – $100
2nd place – $75
3rd place – $50
Pie Contest
1st place by category (fruit, cream, and custard) – $75NEED MORE INFORMATION?
For more information, contact Anna Pillow, Director of Economic and Community Development at [email protected]