World Chicken Festival
The World Chicken Festival is an international celebration of "chicken heritage." It takes place each year in London, KY during the last full weekend of September. The four-day event benefits over 50 local nonprofits and offers a wide range of live music, chicken-related activities, and vendor shopping. Crazy contests challenge participants as they compete for bragging rights. RV travelers often add the festival to their itinerary when road tripping through Kentucky. Families love bringing their kids here to take spins on the carnival rides. Being right next to Interstate 75 in southeastern Kentucky makes it easy for RV travelers to reach the event. You can rent an RV in London to start a road trip.
ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT
There is no shortage of activities and entertainment at the World Chicken Festival. The Colonel Sanders Look-Alike Contest will have you doing a double take as you watch contestants imitate the famous Kentucky Fried Chicken founder. The world's largest skillet at the festival cooks up more than 120,000 fried chicken dinners during the weekend. The Chicken "Trickin" Trivia contest tests your knowledge of chickens, Kentucky history, and festival fun facts. A pickleball open is held at Whitley Branch Veterans Park; it lasts three days using a round-robin tournament format. The Whiskers and Beard Contest is open to all ages, giving kiddos and adults a chance to show off their long facial hair. See the attractions page for more fun things to do.
ON-SITE AMENITIES
You will enjoy a wide range of amenities that make it much easier to navigate the crowds and find exactly what you need. • Shuttle transportation (from Carnaby Square and North Kroger parking lots) • Public seating/dining areas • Restrooms • Security and emergency services • Handicap accessibility • Vendor and food areas • Nearby parking accommodations
LOCATION
The festival takes place in downtown London, KY centered around Main Street and 4th Street. The address is 500 Main Street, London, KY 40741. This takes you straight to the downtown area near Town Center Park. Coming to London offers ample opportunities for adventures beyond the festival activities. Laurel River Lake, only about 25 minutes away, offers stunning scenery for swimming, boating, fishing, and hiking.
FAQs About RVing to the World Chicken Festival
Where can I park my RV during the World Chicken Festival?
Downtown parking for RVs is very limited. Most RV travelers will use a nearby campground as a home base. They either drive their own vehicle or use a ride-sharing service to get to and from the festival each day.
Can large Class A motorhomes fit in downtown London parking areas?
During the festival, the downtown streets are extremely crowded and difficult to navigate, especially in larger rigs. The tight corners created by food and shopping vendors can make it nearly impossible to maneuver or turn around. Leaving your rig at the campground and using a ride-share service usually provides the easiest way to get around.
Is there shuttle transportation from RV campgrounds to the festival?
If you park at Carnaby Square or the North Kroger parking lot, you can jump on the free shuttle service. It takes you directly to the festival grounds.
Are there dump stations near the festival area?
You won't have to travel far to find a place to empty your tanks. Levi Jackson Wilderness Road Park provides a dump station you can use for a fee if you aren't an overnight guest. Other dump stations are available at nearby campgrounds, including Corbin/Laurel Lake KOA Journey.
LINEUP
The festival transforms the Town Center Park into the Gospel Eggstravaganza Stage. On Sunday, you can enjoy gospel, a cappella, hymns, Americana, folk, and inspirational music. See the music and entertainment page for updates.
RVING AT THE EVENT
Coming to the World Chicken Festival in an RV means you'll need to find a nearby campground to use as your home base. You may find some downtown parking spots for larger recreational vehicles, but they fill up fast. Staying at a campground within 15 to 30 minutes of downtown London gives you a place to relax and recharge outside of the large crowds between your visits to the festival.
Where to Camp Near the World Chicken Festival
The Farm RV Resort is only 2.3 miles away from downtown London. It has full hookups and a very relaxing campground experience. The pull-through sites are big rig-friendly and work great for larger Class A motorhomes and large travel trailers. Corbin/Laurel Lake KOA Journey puts you about 12 miles from the festival and also has full hookups. Booking a site here gives you convenient access to the Daniel Boone National Forest and Laurel River Lake. RV travelers often spend the day exploring scenic overlooks and then head to the festival in the evening for live entertainment, contests, and food vendors.
RV Rental Tips for the World Chicken Festival
London not only attracts festival-goers; it's also a regular stop for people traveling through Kentucky because of its scenic routes and natural beauty. With this in mind, you should always book your campground several months in advance. If you take backroads to get to and from the festival, you must be mindful of your RV's height and width. Coming in a smaller Class C RV often makes it easier to navigate the narrow roads winding through the Appalachian foothills.
WHERE TO STAY
If you prefer a hotel over camping, London offers several convenient name-brand hotels. One option is the Holiday Inn Express & Suites, which provides modern amenities designed for both comfort and convenience. Another great choice is the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott. Both hotel options offer complimentary hot breakfast, a well-equipped business center for work-related needs, a fitness center, free Wi-Fi, and convenient dry-cleaning services. With their proximity to the festival and range of services, either hotel will provide a comfortable stay.
HOW TO GET THERE
• From Lexington: Take Interstate 75 south directly to London. • From Louisville: Take Interstate 64 east to Lexington. Then follow Interstate 75 south to London. • From Nashville, Tennessee: Take Interstate 65 north to Bowling Green. From there, take the Cumberland Parkway east toward Somerset and continue toward London.
PARKING
When attending the World Chicken Festival, you can usually plan your visit with the parking and festival maps provided on the event website. These maps help visitors navigate parking areas, shuttle locations, vendor sections, and festival attractions more efficiently.
TICKETS & PRICING
The festival is free to attend, but some of the activities have a fee. You can purchase an armband for one day of unlimited carnival rides for $25. It costs $1 to vote for your favorite decorated chicken. The Pickleball Open is $40/person for the first event and $30/person for the second. Contestants get a free t-shirt with their registration.
WRAP UP
The World Chicken Festival, held each fall in downtown London, Kentucky, combines live entertainment, contests, carnival rides, vendor shopping, and chicken-themed events. RV travel is a convenient way to experience the festival while also exploring nearby campgrounds, lakes, and outdoor recreation areas throughout southeastern Kentucky. Whether you spend your time attending contests, exploring vendor booths, or relaxing at your campground, the festival offers a wide variety of activities for visitors of all ages. For updates and event information, follow the festival on Facebook.
4-Day RV Itinerary for the World Chicken Festival
• Day 1: Settle in and enjoy the festivities Arrive early Thursday morning at your campground to set up the RV. Relax throughout the afternoon before you head to the festival. Thursday evening is filled with family fun, including the Colonel Harland Sanders Look-A-Like Contest at 5:30 p.m. and the Chick-A-Lympics at 6 p.m. • Day 2: Fried chicken and outdoor adventures Friday is the perfect day to grab a hot plate of fried chicken from the festival’s massive skillet. Or you can use the second day to explore more of London, like the hiking trails near Levi Jackson Wilderness Road Park. If you registered for the Pickleball Open, the women's doubles start at 3 p.m. Men's doubles don't kick off until the next morning. • Day 3: Races, contests, and festival fun Wake up early Saturday morning to ensure you make it to the Run for the Roost 5K Race at 9 a.m. You can take the race as slow or fast as you want. A lot of participants dress up in their funniest chicken-themed outfits. The afternoon is packed with fun contests, including the Whiskers and Beard Contest at 2 p.m. and the Rooster Tail Mullet Contest at 3 p.m. • Day 4: Pack up, music, and explore After another good night's rest to recharge, Sunday's activities include the last day of the Pickleball Open and the Gospel Eggstravaganza performances. Then you can continue on your RV road trip to your favorite Kentucky destination.
Please note, this is not the official source of the event information. While we try to be as comprehensive as possible, some details may have changed since the time this article was written. Please confirm final details with the official event page .
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