After a successful first year, Bayside Brewing Company said they plan to make their "Chuck a Chicken" competition an annual one.
Over 130 people participated in the chicken chucking event on Saturday on the ice of Rondeau Bay in Erieau. The goal was to toss the frozen bird and hit a specific target. One of the co-founders of the event and employees of Bayside Brewing, Brent Wilken, said hundreds of people also came out to spectate.
"It couldn't have been better," Wilken said. "Loved it. The main thing we were going for was good light, inclusive fun. And that's exactly what happened. The people were just awesome."
Wilken estimated that between registration fees and food and drink sales, a little over $3,000 was raised from the event. The money will be going towards Erieau’s Accessibility Park.
"It's a really good cause. Donna Polowick, the co-organizer is really passionate about raising funds for children with disabilities," explained Wilken. "It was a really good natural fit and we wanted to make it local."
Mayor Darrin Canniff and Councillor Anthony Ceccacci were on hand to chuck the ceremonial first chickens, which Wilken said was awesome to see.
As for the chickens that were being tossed, Wilken admitted there was some online backlash in the decision to use chicken carcasses for sport. However, he explained that all the frozen chickens were animal grade and were being repurposed. Before they came to Chatham-Kent, they were used at a similar event in Port Dalhousie a week prior. After being used in Erieau, Wilken said they will be donated as animal feed.
Overall, Wilken said it was a great event for a great cause. He said he and his team are already thinking of ideas for next year and beyond.
"We have really high hopes for next year," he said. "We have some big ideas for next year. We had s'mores, the bands, fire pits and roasted hot dogs this year and it was a lot of fun. But we already have tons of ideas for next year."
