2010 DELMARVA CHICKEN FESTIVAL CONCLUDES

During opening ceremonies, Blair Ranneberger, president of Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc. (DPI), the sponsoring organization, stressed the importance of the chicken industry to the area from both an economic and environmental point of view. Delaware U.S. Senator Tom Carper and Delaware Congressman Mike Castle recognized the many jobs in the industry and their work to convince the Russian government once again to allow American chicken products into Russia. Since the start of this year, Russia has refused to buy American chicken over false concerns about the safety of American products. Congressman Castle urged the crowd to "eat as much chicken as you possibly can." Festival chairman Nancy Wagner recognized the work of her team to plan, organize, and operate this weekend's activities.

Activities included the always popular educational exhibit, featuring the chick petting area; a consumer trade show; musical entertainment; demonstrations of creative chicken recipes by local chefs; a Saturday "chickin' pickin'" competition; many children's activities including the Chicken Capers games; children's activities; a carnival; and a car show and antique tractor show.

Members of the Dover area Rotary Clubs cooked fried chicken throughout the weekend in the festival's giant fry pan. Chicken Capers games coordinated by DPI's Allied Industry Committee and the educational exhibit prepared by poultry personnel at the Delaware State University, the University of Maryland, and the University of Delaware drew thousands of visitors. This exhibit was designed to provide visitors with the facts about the chicken industry as opposed to the myths and misstatements that sometimes prevail. Another popular attraction was a just-produced DVD that highlighted the chicken industry in central and northern Delmarva. Copies are available from the DPI office at $7.50 each, which includes shipping.

The Delmarva Chicken Festival, one of America's oldest food festivals, is DPI's largest promotion. Non-profit community groups are able to earn income through their participation at the festival. The weekend spotlights an industry that provides tens of thousands of jobs and more than two billion dollars in annual economic activity. Delmarva produces about six percent of America's broiler chickens. The broiler chicken industry is the largest part of agriculture in Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia.

The 62nd Delmarva Chicken Festival is slated for June 2011 in Georgetown, Delaware where the first festival was held in 1948.