Brookville Chicken Festival & Fry Off

The Brookville Chicken Festival & Fry Off is an annual event held in Brookville, Indiana, celebrating Southeastern Indiana's best home-fried chicken and restaurant versions of classic fried chicken. It has a notable reputation as the home to the Guinness World Record for the most fried chickens and recognition from the New York Times, linking the town closely with fried chicken culture.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, September 13, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, taking place at the Courthouse Lawn on 459 Main Street (Court Street area), Brookville, Indiana. It is handicapped accessible.

The atmosphere of the festival is family-friendly with a lively, community-centric vibe focusing on food, music, and entertainment. It showcases competitive frying among local home cooks and restaurants vying to be named the best fried chicken in the region.

Typical activities and features include:

• Frying competitions where both home fryers and restaurants present their versions of fried chicken for judging.
• Live music performances throughout the day, providing entertainment that complements the festive environment.
• Family entertainment, which may include games, activities for kids, and opportunities for attendees to engage with local vendors and community groups.
• Food vendors and booths selling various fried chicken styles and related dishes, emphasizing local tradition and culinary pride.

While exact schedules beyond the 11 AM to 7 PM timeframe are not fully detailed, the primary activities focus on the frying competition judging and live music that runs concurrently. The central location near the courthouse provides a convenient and accessible venue within the town’s historic downtown district, adding a quaint and small-town charm to the event.

The festival’s origins appear rooted in celebrating and promoting Brookville’s unique association with fried chicken, leveraging its Guinness World Record for the most fried chickens made and widespread recognition in popular media. This historical and cultural connection drives the signature culinary theme of the event.

For questions or additional information, the organizers can be reached at (866) 647-6555 or through the Town of Brookville’s Facebook page for Brookville Main Street.