West G Reclaims Chicken Flying Contest Trophy from Kenston
The Great Geauga County Fair’s opening day took flight Aug. 29 as fairgoers flocked to the annual Chicken Flying Contest at noon at the small grandstand.
The Great Geauga County Fair’s opening day took flight Aug. 29 as fairgoers flocked to the annual Chicken Flying Contest at noon at the small grandstand.
There was nothing small about the friendly rivalry between Kenston and West Geauga school districts or the anticipation of the coveted trophy’s next nesting place.
The contest marked the first for newly-hired Kenston Superintendent Bruce Willingham, who said prior to the contest he was excited to defend Kenston’s title — the district won the trophy in 2023.
“I think like (former Superintendent Steve Sayer’s) shared last year, it’s always great to have a friendly rivalry with another Geauga County district,” Willingham said. “However, in full transparency, I don’t think I’ve held a chicken since I was 12 years old in Oklahoma.”
Each bird’s flight is made from a pole high perch and the distance is measured from the starting point to landing.
Like the flipping of a coin, the competition was close.
But, West Geauga ultimately took the win as a Black Copper Marans hen named Penny — owned by West Geauga’s Gavin Heffron — landed a flight of 17 feet and 1 inch against Kenston’s Ruth Rose, owned by Alexis Toot, which flew 16 feet and 11 inches.
“The Chicken Flying Contest is one of the most exciting events in my life, surpassed only by the birth of my children,” said Richard Markwardt, the soon-to-retire West Geauga Schools superintendent. “I’m glad to have the trophy back at West Geauga Middle School.”
Markwardt, who is an owner of a small farm and raises chickens, said he didn’t want to enter one of his own chickens.
“My chickens are so old that most would need a parachute to compete,” Markwardt said.
Willingham expressed appreciation in a followup interview at the chance to continue the districts’ rivalry.
“I was slightly apprehensive because I had no idea what to expect. However, thanks to the help of a great student, Alexis Toot, and her amazing chicken, Ruth Rose, we had a great showing,” he said. “Dr. Markwardt is a great competitor and while it is tough to lose by two inches, I am happy for him, as this was his last competition before retirement. We will regroup as a district and try to get our trophy back next year.”
No one could exactly pinpoint how long the popular contest has been going on, but original hosts include animal loving local television icon Dick Goddard.
The competition between the two school districts kicked off in 2009 with the first Geauga Learn Program, a back-to-school tradition allowing local sixth-grade students to attend the fair and learn about agriculture.
“Our sixth graders’ annual trip to the fair is a great experience for our kids,” Markwardt said. “It involves a lot more than the brief Chicken Flying Contest. Many Geauga County kids are in 4-H, but for those who don’t have livestock at home, the annual field trip is a good opportunity for them to get a close-up look at the agricultural activities of Geauga County.”
For Erin Demas, this year marked the third she and her daughters, Adeline, 8, and Emilia, 6, competed in the contest. They entered their hens, Chicky-Chick and Puff Puff.
“We love the friendly rivalry between West G and Kenston while the sixth-graders from each school attend a field trip to the fair,” Demas said, calling the entire fair experience priceless, especially for children.
“Please come out and support the local 4H kinds in the fair,” Demas said. “See their animals, ask them questions, bid in the auctions. These kids work their tails off all summer for this one weekend. They love it, we are all exhausted, but it is worth it.”
Spectators lined the fences and cheered from the bleachers as handler after handler clutched their feathered-competitors and climbed the steps to the mailbox launch pad.
Final contest honors went to Champion Hen Spice, owned by Genevieve Wolf, which flew 94 feet; Champion Rooster Shrek, owned by Maggie Davis, which flew 15 feet and 5 inches and was also named Grand Champion with a flight of 18 feet 2 inches during a final fly off.
“As always, it’s good to see kids coming back each year competing and new kids joining the fun,” veteran event organizer David Parker said.
Across the fairgrounds and competing in another contest, Maggie had no idea Shrek had one grand champion until her sister group-texted her.
“I am just surprised,” Maggie said. “I didn’t expect to win. It’s super cool.”
She thanked her mom, Jamie, for filling in and helping to share the good news of her win.
“It’s really nice of her to go up and do it,” Maggie said.
She also credited her 4H experience, calling it a very positive educational journey.
“I think it’s a chance to learn something you didn’t know before and gets you out of your comfort zone,” Maggie said.
The annual contest is open to any adult or child who enters a hen or rooster.
“It’s very exciting to be able to provide a wide range of fun, educational opportunities, laughter, to just name a few things, from the young to the old,” said Keith Chapman, who sits on the fair’s entertainment committee. “The Great Geauga County Fair is where memories are made and from there, to pass it along from generation to generation. It started with my grandparents on down to my grandchildren now.”
