Coordinated by the Wayne Area Chamber of Commerce, the Chicken Show is a fun event held annually on the second Saturday in July. Founded by the Wayne Regional Arts Council, the first show was held in 1981. The theme of “chickens” was chosen because of 1) the potential for art materials; 2) most people have knowledge and familiarity with chickens; and, 3) chickens can be considered with humor. The Wayne Chicken Show received the 1996 Nebraska Outstanding Tourism Award and was selected in 1999, along with four other community events in America, to be featured in the Library of Congress.
Wayne Chicken Show 2005 was the winner of two Nebraska State Pinnacle Awards given by the Nebraska Festival and Events, Inc. The Collectible 25th Anniversary Egg was awarded “Most Unique” merchandise item. The other award was for best “Festival Photo”.
Wayne Chicken Show was an official event for The Nebraska Sesquicentennial in 2017.
VOLUNTEERS & SPONSORS
The Wayne Chicken Show and Henoween involve nearly 1,000 volunteers throughout the community who donate time, talents, and financial support, helping to make this festival fun and “cheep” for all who attend.
During the early years of the Wayne Chicken Show, the themes were based on chicken related puns so not all 44 years of the Chicken Show have necessarily had an official theme. Here is our running list of themes that we have accounts for.
If you have any information regarding the past themes or fun facts, please contact us at [email protected] or at 402-375-2240