“One of the most beloved and lighthearted traditions of the Come & Take It celebration (and a family favorite)—the Chicken Flying Contest—once again drew laughs, cheers, and plenty of feathers”! This event has long been provided by the Gonzales Rotary Club. The Club also designs a t-shirt to sell at the event every year. Proceeds fund scholarships and other service projects.
Young competitors bring a chicken (or they can use one provided by the Rotary Club) to “stuff” into a mailbox atop a wooden stand. On signal, the door to the mailbox is pulled open with a string from below and the child uses a toilet plunger to push the unsuspecting chicken out of the mailbox! In the best-case scenario, the chicken will take flight. When the chicken lands, that point is measured for distance from the starting point and logged under that chicken’s “name” (and the child’s name, of course!). The winners are determined by that distance and prizes awarded to the top three longest distances.
The entertainment doesn’t stop with the “launches”, however. The crowds get another great show as all the children run out as soon as the chicken takes to the air, hoping to be the one to catch the bird (which is returned to its safe place in the cool coop). This added perk to the contest keeps everyone looking, laughing, and dodging the sometimes-wayward chickens!
This year’s winners were First Place: Levi Carl (10y/o) and his chicken “Feelin’ Good Again” (109 Feet); Second Place Beckham Brown (7y/o) and his chicken “Chicken Little” (83 feet); and Third Place Amanda Hahn (7y/o) and her chicken “Jet” (74 feet).
In addition to framed certificates, winners received cash prizes. Wrangler Trucking got in on the action and donated matching cash prizes, taking first place to $200; second place to $100; and third place to $50! They all left with big smiles on their faces and already planning to compete again in 2026!