First responders, vendors monitor weather as World Chicken Festival begins

LONDON, Ky. (WYMT) – A huge event in Southern Kentucky this weekend is expected to attract thousands of people despite the weather.

The World Chicken Festival is underway in London.

First responders and vendors said they are prepared for bad and potentially dangerous weather.

While the event is primarily outdoors, many people are trying to stay covered as much as possible.

“We are just kind of measuring it out right now to see how much space we have for an extra tent, so people can say under that to stay stay dry,” Harley Roberts with Jayden Kate Boutique said.

There are 180 vendors set up all throughout the area. There are also carnival rides and nightly concerts.

“All about making sure your stuff is off the street,” vendor Dave Bettendorf said. “Water can get through, water is going to where it wants.”

“All vendors have been made aware, that everything has to be tied down and weighted,” London Police Officer Hobie Daugherty said.

A lot of the vendors are in tents, but some have to work out in the weather for long periods of time.

Gavin Smith, who is a security worker for the festival, said he could be out in the weather a lot during his 15-hour shift.

“Jackets, ponchos, whatever we can to keep warm, keep dry,” Smith said.

“Got to have a real good canopy, weight it down, weights on canopy are 50 pounds each,” Bettendorf said.

The festival proceeds benefit roughly 50 non-profit organizations and people said it is important to keep it going for them.

The festival runs through Sunday.

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