Laurel County is home to the very first restaurant that Colonel Sanders has established in the 1940s. This is why, in honor to the achievements of the man behind the Kentucky Fried Chicken, the area celebrates World Chicken Festival annually.

The World Chicken Festival was started in the late 1980s. It was in celebration of the great strides what used to be a tiny diner, known to locals as the Sanders? Caf?, into becoming a fast food giant.

Listed as one of Kentucky Tourism Council?s Top Ten Events, World Chicken Festival attracts up to 250,000 people yearly. It is usually held for four days, during the last weekends of September. Information on the dates and list of events are also made public easily online or through news releases.