Monday, July 26, 2010

Hot Chicken Festival 2010 Pictures

Posted by Wes / 4 comments » / Uncategorized, east nashville, events

One NF writer has previously shared his affinity for hot chicken, and here I officially add my love for this expressly Nashville tradition.  Every year, the Hot Chicken Festival on July 4 gathers together the standards like Bolton’s and Prince’s with newcomers like 400 degrees.  Sure, one could easily head down to one of the restaurants and enjoy the food in the comfortable air conditioning, but this is the day to compare different rubs, sauces, and even fish from multiple vendors and  celebrate a distinct and special culinary aspect of the city

I learned my lesson last year.  I arrivedjust after the last free chicken ticket was handed out, checked out all the vendors, and decided I would go for Prince’s only to discover that the line had already grown to encircle most of the park.  After about 2.5 hours of being drenched in the sun, I finally got my “medium” temperature (not quite the heat of a dine-in Prince’s medium) chicken tenders and fries.  After my colleagues in lab inquired about my red and peeling face the next week, I explained it was all for the hot chicken.

This year, I arrived 2:30, toward the end of the festival.  This is the time that most folks have moved to the Yazoo tent to cool off from the unforgiving heat and initiate holiday revelry.  Prince’s was still bustling even this late into the festivities.  This time Bolton’s put together the right combination of short line length with spicy meats I know and love.  The line went fast and soon I had my hands on a chicken stick and a large fried catfish sandwich.  Admittedly I brought in my own tall margarita to top off this awesome 4th of July occasion.

Leslie Rodriguez ventured out this day and again took an amazing set of shots which I am sharing below.  You can see some more of her work here and follow her on Twitter @LRodriguezPhoto

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4 comments

4 Responses to “Hot Chicken Festival 2010 Pictures”

  1. 1

    Buckshot Malone — July 26, 2010 @ 9:19 am

    Thanks for joining us at the 2010 Hot Chicken Festival. We’re preparing to make 2011 even better. Love the pics.

    Buckshot Malone

  2. 2

    Lannae — July 26, 2010 @ 6:53 pm

    Love the pics! It looks like I missed out. I just didn’t go this year because I can’t take the lines, the sun and the atmospheric heat (I can take the heat of hot chicken). If I had know there was Pay-For-Food options, I would totally pay for hot chicken and celebrate that way.

  3. 3

    Cheryl — August 20, 2010 @ 4:22 am

    I love your blog! I also missed out on this event, perhaps because I’m a relative newcomer to Nashville. But I’ll keep my eyes peeled for next year! About a year and a half or so ago I searched for Nashville foodie blogs, but somehow did not find yours. I was beginning to despair of the foodie scene here! I’m excited about the information, and other blogs, you provide.

    I have also recently started a blog with my boyfriend, Jeffrey, called “Foodie Duet.” I hope you’ll feel free to visit it sometime, and if you find it interesting, feel free to list it here as well. Looking forward to visiting this site again!

  4. 4

    Susan at Charm of the Carolines — August 23, 2010 @ 7:22 pm

    I wanted to go. Forget the heat in the chicken, I couldn’t stand the heat or the humidity. What a summer!!!

    Susan

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