The Summer 2020 Wayne Chicken Show was held Sept. 12. after being postponed due to COVID-19.

“We had COVID rearrangements and weather rearrangements because it decided to rain on us, but we made all those rearrangements and people came out and had a good time,” said Irene Fletcher, the assistant director at Wayne Area Economic Development.

“At the beginning of the pandemic, we were not sure if we could have the Chicken Show, so we postponed it to make it safer,” Abby Schademann, the event coordinator said.

This year the 40th annual chicken show had many events and contests to participate in such as a parade alternative called “Cruise the Coops.” Other events included the chicken crowing contest, car show with craft and food vendors, the Wayne State marching band performance, live music from Ted and Alice Miller, The days performances were from Ted and Alice Miller, the Wayne State marching band, and world’s largest chicken performance. Cornhole tournament, planetarium shows, cement chicken auction, best chicken legs contest, live chicken flying, egg drop, egg toss and a firework show to end the night. The events were designed to fit guidelines due to COVID.

For “Cruise the Coops” this year, the committee asked businesses to decorate store front lawns and windows for a chance to win $40 in a people’s choice vote. According to the Wayne Chicken Show website, there were three prizes handed out for best theme, best chicken related, and people’s choice.

“This year was the 40th so we made sure to have some of the nostalgic things like the hardboiled egg eat off, the cluck off, the cement chicken auction, and the egg toss and drop,” Schademann said. “Next year we will definitely have fresh ideas to bring to the table and change things up even though we had to change things this year.”

If COVID restrictions are lifted the Chicken Show will be back at the old location and be held during the summer, doing events a little different and taking necessary precautions, according to Schademann.

“We have been doing this for 40 years, it kind of has a life of its own,” Fletcher said. “People just come to expect it, so even though we may change things up there will definitely be a 41st Chicken Show.”