Town of Gordonsville to Host 12 Annual Fried Chicken Festival th By: Claire Clark, Visitor Liaison, and Anna Pillow, Visitor Center Director, Town of Gordonsville Visitor Center
The Town of Gordonsville will once again host a festival that beckons back to a significant part of the Town’s history and heritage. Gordonsville is famous for its fried chicken and the heritage of local African-American women, known as “waiter carriers”, who brought platters of the delicacy to rail passengers stopped in Gordonsville during the 19th century, a renowned activity that, in 1869, prompted a local newspaper editor to bestow upon the village the title “Chicken-leg Centre of the Universe”. To celebrate this unique cultural heritage, the Town of Gordonsville is holding its Annual Fried Chicken Festival. This event will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., in the Gordonsville Town Hall and Blue Ridge Bank parking lots, and is a “rain or shine” event.
“2023’s Fried Chicken Festival was a smashing success! There’s nothing better than lots of delicious fried chicken and other tasty treats, with live music and arts and crafts vendors, all enjoyed with friends on a beautiful fall day! This is a fun, old fashioned community get-together, and we hope everyone in the area will come out and enjoy the day and enjoy our hospitality at this wonderful Gordonsville festival!,” said former Gordonsville Mayor Bob Coiner. “Each year, Gordonsville’s Fried Chicken Festival continues to grow in popularity, and it is a great way to celebrate the Town’s heritage. This year’s event is being held off downtown Main Street and our hope is everyone will spend the day in Gordonsville, at the festival, visiting our local shops and restaurants, and enjoying all our great little town has to offer!,” he added. In addition to delicious fried chicken, artisan crafters will be on hand to sell their wares and there will be a wine garden for wine tastings and for purchase. Have a great fried chicken or pie recipe? Join one of the event’s Cook Off Contests! Prizes up to $100 will be awarded to the winners! The Town of Gordonsville, located in southern Orange County, is a charming town of quaint shops and galleries, the noted Exchange Hotel Civil War Museum and critically acclaimed restaurants in the heart of “historic crossroads” in central Virginia. For more information on the Town of Gordonsville, please visit www.townofgordonsville.org.
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OCI September 2025
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