Seventy-five years of chickens and traditions
- Sarah Powell
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
The small town of Crane is once again preparing for one of its biggest annual celebrations, and this year’s Broiler Festival promises to be one for the history books.
The Crane Broiler Festival is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2026, bringing together generations of residents and visitors to celebrate the community’s history, agriculture, family traditions and, of course, plenty of barbecue chicken. For three-quarters of a century, the festival has been a special part of life in Crane, creating memories that have been passed down from grandparents to parents and from parents to children.
This year, the festival will combine some of the traditions that have made Broiler Fest special throughout its history with several newer events that have become favorites in their own right. The celebration will take place Aug. 20-22, with the community coming together for food, entertainment, activities and plenty of opportunities to celebrate what makes Crane unique.
Among this year’s events is the Second Annual Crane Chicken Chase 5K Run and Walk, presented by Discover Crane. The race will begin at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, on Main Street. Proceeds from this year’s race will benefit the Crane City Pool, helping support the community facility and its future seasons. Participants can run or walk the 5K and start their Broiler Fest Saturday by getting active while supporting a local cause.
Following the Chicken Chase, the traditional Broiler Fest Parade will make its way down Main Street at 10 a.m. The parade is an opportunity for local organizations, churches, businesses, families and community groups to come together and show their Broiler Fest spirit. Vehicles will line up at 509 Meadowlark Lane, while walkers will line up at the Crane Pool. No registration is required.
At 11 a.m., the celebration will continue at Crane City Park with the Broiler Fest Mule Jump. Presented by the North American Mule Jumping Association, the event will feature talented mules competing in several classes, including 38 inches and under, 52 inches and under novice, 52 inches and over novice, professional and youth classes. Bluegrass music will follow at 1:30 p.m., adding another dose of Ozarks’ tradition to the day.
This year’s festival also gives visitors an opportunity to commemorate 75 years of Broiler Fest with a special limited-edition anniversary T-shirt. Shirts are available in dark blue, heather gray and light gray, with adult and youth sizes offered. The pre-sale price is $15, while shirts will be $20 during the festival. Pre-sale shirts can be picked up beginning August 10 at Hammer Insurance, Simmons Bank, Stockmens Bank, Table Rock Community Bank and SunFest Market.
See Sarah's story, Crane community comes together to make Broiler Festival tradition accessible to all!
Festival goers can expect many of the same traditions such as the Miss Slick Chick Pageant, gospel music, carnival rides, games, vendors and more.
While the festival has grown considerably over the years, its roots remain firmly planted in the community’s agricultural heritage.
The first Missouri Broiler Festival was held in 1952, during a time when the broiler chicken industry was an important part of the local economy. What began as a one-day barbecue celebration was created to recognize the growing poultry industry and the hardworking farmers, families and businesses who helped make Crane a center of broiler production.
The original celebration was simple in comparison to the festival Crane knows today. At its heart was barbecue chicken, a meal that became more than just food. It became a symbol of the community’s agricultural roots and the hard work of the people who raised, processed and prepared the chickens that helped put Crane on the map.
As the years passed, the Broiler Festival grew from its one-day beginnings into a much larger celebration. More activities, entertainment and traditions were added, eventually turning it into a three-day event that draws people from throughout the Ozarks and beyond.
Yet despite that growth, the heart of Broiler Fest has remained much the same. It is still about neighbors gathering together. It is about families returning home, old friends catching up and new generations discovering traditions their grandparents once enjoyed. It is about celebrating Crane’s past while continuing to build its future. And, naturally, it is still about that famous barbecue chicken.
For 75 years, the Crane Broiler Festival has given the community a reason to come together, celebrate its history and share a little of its hometown pride with everyone who visits. Seventy-five years later, the chickens are still cooking, the traditions are still growing and Crane is still coming together to celebrate.
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