Some chickens soared while others made a dramatic face‑plant during the Great Geauga County Fair’s annual Chicken Flying Contest Aug. 28.
Some chickens soared while others made a dramatic face‑plant during the Great Geauga County Fair’s annual Chicken Flying Contest Aug. 28.
Each contestant placed their chicken on a high perch, where it was put inside a mailbox and nudged out with a plunger — all competing for the farthest flight.
“I’m feeling pretty good,” said West Geauga Middle School student Riley Kiple just before bringing up her bird, Roadrunner, to the perch for flight.
It’s uncertain whether Roadrunner felt the pressure of defending the district’s 2024 title against rival Kenston Schools, but the competition was tight.
Kenston Schools Superintendent Bruce Willingham lamented losing the trophy last year to West Geauga and his desire to right the ship.
“Our overall record was nine to seven, so we are closing the gap,” he said. “I’ve gotta bring this thing back to Kenston.”
Much to Willingham’s delight, Kenston Middle School student Miles Yingling’s hen, Chicken Nugget, bested Roadrunner, flying 10 feet, 5 inches — just 5 inches past Roadrunner.
“I was, like, stressed at first, because everybody was, like, piling on the chicken,” Yingling said after the contest. “(I) thought that wasn’t gonna be very good for (Chicken Nugget), but then once we won — by (five inches) — (I) feel great now.”
This marked Willingham’s second time participating in the annual rivalry with West Geauga Schools, while it was West Geauga Schools Superintendent Nancy Benicasa’s debut.
“Miles, you did a great job training that chicken,” Willingham said after their win. “It’s a lot of hard work, about eight months worth of training.”
Benincasa, on the other hand, expressed disappointment they were unable to defend their title.
“(I’m) devastated,” she said. “I mean, I felt like we had a winner. Riley and Gavin (last year’s winner) picked Roadrunner and I thought we had an edge going in.”
Benincasa said she received support and tips from former Superintendent Rich Markwardt, who owns a small farm.
“Rich, of course, my mentor, had given me loads of advice,” she said. “But … we have something to work towards next year.”
This year’s overall contest Grand Champion was 9-year-old Savanna Cervenka, whose chicken flew 14 feet, 2 inches.
“And this is my first year doing it,” she said excitedly following the win of her rooster, Boom.
Her younger brother, Carter Cervenka, was Boom’s trainer, she said.
