Despite the rainy weather, more than 1,000 people attended the Gordonsville Fried Chicken Festival Saturday.
The festival honors the town’s waiter carriers. In the 1840s, the Town of Gordonsville became a railroad stop, making it a spot for commerce. After the Civil War, Black women began pooling their culinary talents, preparing fried chicken and other favorites and selling them to passengers through the train windows. In time, tales of the women’s entrepreneurship spread and Gordonsville was declared the “Fried Chicken Capital of the Universe.”
This year marked the first time the festival shut down S. Main Street with vendors lining the street and in the parking lots surrounding town hall. Initially, 70 vendors of all kinds were anticipated to attend with at least seven serving chicken. Due to the weather, some dropped out, but there were still several chicken vendors including some offering chicken-esque dishes including fried chicken ice cream from CubaMex. Fizzy Joy offered various dirty soda options and Lay’s Lemonade had a variety of fresh squeezed lemonade flavors available. Patch Brewing Company and Well Hung Vineyard beverage options were available in the wine and beer tent. The Skip Castro Band provided live music on the town hall porch.
“We estimate attendance on Saturday was around 1,200 people, all of whom weren’t about to let some rain get between them and excellent fried chicken,” Gordonsville Director of Community and Economic Engagement Anna Pillow said. “I’ve already heard back from some vendors, plus the Skip Castro Band, who had a great time and are already looking forward to next year.”
A new group was crowned winners of the fried chicken contest which was open to participating chicken vendors. Mollie’s Gurlz took the first place finish for its chicken, followed by Carrie’s Soul Food and What Cha Want. In the pie contests, which were open to the public, Victor Hernandez received first for his custard pie. He also places second in both the fruit and cream categories. Sonya Uray finished first in the fruit and cream categories and second in the custard category. Allison Atteberry finished third in the custard category and Linda Ruppard finished third in the fruit category. There was no third place finisher in the cream category.
Pillow said plans are already underway for the 2027 Fried Chicken Festival which will be held Saturday, Oct. 2.
“Rain or shine,” she said, “but we’re definitely hoping for clear skies next year.”
