Because of the regulations concerning public gatherings during COVID-19, organizers decided to cancel the majority of the 2020 Hinkelfest Chicken Festival.
But as a way to help the five community entities that depend on proceeds from the festival, a pared-down Hinkelfest on Sept. 19-20 will be selling two kinds of chicken entrees, along with chicken corn rivel soup and chicken potpie.
The Fredericksburg organizations benefiting are Matthews Public Library, Fredericksburg Fire Company, the American Legion Auxiliary, Fredericksburg Lions Club, and the Fredericksburg Community Association.
Hinkelfest Committee President R. Matthew Brace told LebTown all proceeds will be going directly to these groups.
The drive-through concessions will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days — or until the food is sold out — at Fireman’s Park, 2652 Pine Grove St., Jonestown.
Customers will enter the park as directed by staff, drive to the lower pavilion, pick up orders while remaining in their vehicle, and then exit the park. Organizers encourage prepurchase sales by going to hinkelfest.com. Those who pay ahead of time must bring an electronic copy or printout of the receipt for verification. There also will be sales on-site, if supplies last.
The Hinkelfest Committee asks that patrons wear masks when interacting with staff, and keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front.
The two dinners available are chicken barbecue (Sept. 19) and stuffed chicken breast (Sept. 20). Both are $9 and include cole slaw, a roll, water and a small whoopie pie. In addition, the chicken barbecue comes with a baked potato, and the stuffed chicken breast features gravy and corn.
The chicken potpie and chicken corn rivel soup — a quart each — will be sold Sept. 19 and 20 for $8 a piece.
This is Hinkelfest’s 29th year of celebrating “die hinkel,” or “the chicken,” to translate from the Pennsylvania Dutch.
The festival usually lasts three days in September, from Friday to Sunday, and showcases all kinds of chicken-based foods, as well as games, carnival rides, vendor shows, horse-drawn wagon rides and live music.
Organizers hope to be able to plan for a more traditional Hinkelfest celebration in 2021.
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