Why the World Chicken Festival?

Colonel Harland Sanders, founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken, is one of the most highly recognized figures in the world. Laurel County, Kentucky, located in the heart of the beautiful Daniel Boone National Forest, is proud to honor the legacy of the Colonel’s first and original restaurant established in the 1940’s, located in southern Laurel County. Lee Cummings, co-founder of Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken, also began his career in 1952 with his uncle, Colonel Sanders, in Laurel County. The Annual World Chicken Festival is a tribute to this heritage.

We invite you to our international celebration the last full weekend of every September, in beautiful downtown London. All the “egg-citement” and entertainment for four fun filled day makes this one of Kentucky’s largest festivals. The festival is home to the World’s Largest Stainless Steel Skillet! Join in on the celebration for over 3 decades of family fun including crazy contests, free music entertainment, vendors from across the country, carnival rides, and delicious food from non-profit organizations.