Wild chicken festival fitzgerald ga 2023

These tiny, colorful birds resemble fighting game chickens, sporting brilliant orange and yellow ruffs and gleaming black tail feathers. Flocks of chicks were released several miles from Fitzgerald at the Ocmulgee River. Populations of the bird never took hold and for some reason, they left the river site and made their way to downtown Fitzgerald, where they have propagated and prospered ever since. 

Exotic and beautiful, Burmese chickens are also more athletic than your average chicken. According to one poultry resource, if caught in a fight, Burmese chickens will move around and think out their moves, while other breeds move straight into the fray.

Fitzgerald residents have a love/hate relationship

WILD CHICKEN FESTIVAL
​Have you got something to crow about! So do we! Come help us celebrate Fitzgerald's wild chickens with pancake breakfast, 5K run, pine wood derby, artisan market, classic car cruise, street vendors, kids characters, crowing contest and dance party! For more information, please visit Wild Chicken Festival.

MEMORIAL DAY CELEBRATION
​Memorial Day services are held in Veteran’s Park (Central Avenue in front of the Federal Building) at 10 a.m. on Memorial Day. It is further celebrated at Evergreen Cemetery by placing flags on the graves of all known veterans.

CONCERTS IN THE PARK
​Get ready to dance the night away under the stars listening to music that's sure to get you moving. The Fitzgerald-Ben Hill Arts Council and Grand Theatre Productions sponsor indoor and outdoor concerts throughout the year. Previous performances include the Bellamy Brothers, John Anderson, Daryl Singeltary, Megan Fowler, The Bushmen, and the Ensemblettes. You may view upcoming concerts sponsored by the Fitzgerald-Ben Hill Arts Council, by visiting their Concerts in the Park and Third Thursday pages. 

VETERAN'S DAY
​Veteran’s Day services are held in Veteran’s Park (Central Avenue in front of the Federal Building) at 10 a.m. on Veteran’s Day. It is further celebrated at Evergreen Cemetery by placing flags on the graves of all known veterans.

EASTER EGG HUNT
​Kids are invited to hunt eggs and play games. Prizes, candy, and drinks are provided. The Easter egg hunt is held from 4:00-6:00pm on the Thursday before Easter in the Plaza Park blocks. This event is hosted by the Chamber Events Team, formerly known as the Colony Business Association.

​FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION
​The City of Fitzgerald and Ben Hill County host an Independence Day Celebration each year on July 4th at Paulk Park. Beginning at 4:00pm, the Recreation Department provides hot dogs, chips and drinks, free while supplies last. A watermelon eating contest begins at 4:30 and is followed by a Buried Treasure Hunt and Greased Pole. The live band starts at 6:00 p.m.  At 9:00 p.m., the City of Fitzgerald Honor Guard will lead a pedestrian parade of flag-waving children, youth and adults through the park to the Band Pavilion. The Honor Guard will present the colors and the entire park audience is invited to join in the Pledge of Allegiance and singing of the Nation Anthem “The Star-Spangled Banner”. The Independence Day Fireworks Show will be the Grand Finale to the evening which is delivered by Mr. Allen Conger and the Ben Hill County Volunteer Fire Department.

HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL SERVICE
The Fitzgerald Hebrew congregation erected an obelisk in the Hebrew section at Fitzgerald’s Evergreen Cemetery as a perpetual reminder of the Holocaust. Each year a service is held in memoriam to those lost. The service is a poignant reminder to our entire community of one of history’s most bitter lessons. The observance also serves as an educational opportunity for local history classes. No one walks away unmoved. ​This years' service will be held on April 13, 2018 at Evergreen Cemetery. Please contact Penson Kaminsky at (229) 423-9280 for more information.

GRAND HOMECOMING
The Grand Homecoming is a weeklong class reunion founded for the alumni of Fitzgerald’s traditionally African American schools occurring in August of every third year. The next one is scheduled for 2020. Graduating classes subsequent to integration now make up a large portion of attendees. The 2017  drew some 3,000 participants. For more information, please  contact Marquis Melton.

HOMETOWN HOLIDAY TRAIL OF LIGHTS
The Fitzgerald-Ben Hill County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the return of the Hometown Holiday Trail of Lights! Businesses and organizations have the opportunity to decorate the median parks throughout downtown to create a community light display. Opening night of the Hometown Holiday Trail of Lights will be on the first Thursday in December from 6pm to 8pm. A portion of Main St and Pine St. will be closed for pedestrian traffic only. Family and friends can walk, run, or bike through the downtown light display that evening and enjoy the Christmas festivities. The decorations will be up throughout the holiday season for the community to enjoy.

FITZGERALD TOUR OF HOMES
​Each December, some of the most beautiful and architecturally interesting homes are all dressed up for the holidays and welcome you to come take a peak inside. This event is hosted by the Fitzgerald Lions Club, formerly known as the Colony Business Association.