Music City Hot Chicken Festival returns to East Nashville
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — The 2023 Music City Hot Chicken Festival is returning to East Nashville for their 17th annual celebration of Nashville’s Hot Chicken.
The free event will benefit the Friends of Shelby Park and Bottoms. It will take place on Tuesday, July 4 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The main attraction of the festival is the chance to eat your fill of hot chicken. This year’s hot chicken vendors range from old-time favorites to newcomers. Vendors include:
- Eugene’s Hot Chicken
- Hattie B’s Chicken
- Hurt’s Hot Chicken
- Lilly’s Hot Chicken
- Nashville Hot Chicken and Waffles
- Party Fowl
- Slow Burn
- Chicken Shack Express
- Prince’s Hot Chicken
Weather conditions are expected to be hot and Deer Park Springs Water will be providing free water throughout the day to anyone who attends the festival.
Multiple “cool stations” will also be available to help cool off the burn including Yazoo Brewery to provide cold beer. You can also get yourself icy treats at the Pied Piper Creamery, King of Pops, Retro Sno, and the Lemon Spot.
“Since we started the Hot Chicken Festival 17 years ago, Nashville Hot Chicken has become an international phenomenon,” said Festival founder and former Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell.
The festival will be held in East Park located at 700 Woodland Street, Nashville. Admission is free for all ages.
The event will kick off at 11 a.m. starting with the Hot Chicken Festival Parade led by Purcell, and then will be followed by a group of vintage fire trucks, marching bands, costumed mascots and more.
The festival also supports local hot chicken establishments that have been an important part of entrepreneurship in the city, as well as Nashville pride, unity, and heritage.
If you want a chance to be in the parade, the festival is still accepting participants. You can send your entry idea to info@hotchickenfestival.com to be considered.
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