By Eric C. Stachler, 2013 Chairman
Although the village of Versailles, Ohio is small in size, its production of eggs and poultry was recognized far beyond Ohio as it became known as the Poultry Capital of the Midwest at the turn of the century. This was due in large part to Gasson’s Poultry Farms which were recognized worldwide for their strain of Leghorn chickens, and the Versailles Poultry Producers which processed both eggs and poultry. Additionally, Weavers Bros., Inc., founded by George Weaver in 1929, continued to grow larger each year as a top egg producer and processor in the nation. The numerous poultry farms that operated in the area at that time included Rolls Turkey Farm, Begin Brothers, Swank Turkey Farm, Reigle Poultry, Greenhoff, and Ridenour as well as the companies that supported them: Alexander Bros Elevator, Rosenbeck Implement, Harvey Hole Implement, Ohio Egg Producers Association, Willowdell Grain and Feed, Amstutz Hatcheries. As such, truckers came to refer to Versailles as Chicken City. This rich history has been highlighted with the tradition of the annual Poultry Days Festival.
The intriguing history of our local Poultry Days Festival began as a single day event held on a Thursday and referred to as Poultry Day. This first festival was small and community focused but grew quickly drawing visitors from surrounding communities and from as far as Dayton. In 1962, the Day was expanded to a two day event on Wednesday and Thursday. In 1966, the festival was moved again making it a weekend event held on Friday and Saturday. In 1969, expansion included the now ever-present carnival rides. Finally, in 1972, the annual Poultry Days Festival was expanded to a three day event on held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Arguably the area’s oldest festival, Poultry Days has settled into being held on the second full weekend in June.
The length of time in which the festival lasts is not the only aspect that has changed over the last 64 years. Even the selection of foods available at the festival has evolved. Throughout the years choices included an egg smorgasbord, turkey and noodles, turkey burgers, and deviled eggs. In 1974, barbequed chicken was finally served throughout the entire festival. The first dinners cost $1.25 and included half a chicken, a roll, butter, chips, cranberry salad, pickles and a choice of coffee or pop.
In 1952 alone it took approximately 125 volunteers to construct and operate the BBQ pits. As the volume of chicken served grew so did the army of volunteers who worked to deliver. By 1970, after 18 years of chicken dinners being cooked by local volunteers the festival had outgrown the capacity of these hard working individuals. After an exhaustive search across many states a partnership began with Nelson’s BBQ (formerly known as Port-A-Pit) a small, but growing, chicken barbecue business. Nelson’s was the only company capable of meeting the quality standards expected by the festival and cooking enough of those delicious World Famous chicken dinners to satisfy demand. This partnership continues today with the third generation of the Nelson family providing delicious chicken for Poultry Days, which remains their single largest annual event.
The early chicken serving lines were ran by “The Ladies Serving Committee,” while the men ran the barbecue pits. A drive through line was added in 2001. Further enhancements have culminated in a smooth running operation which in 2014 averaged 1,300 dinners served per hour, with a peak of nearly 2,000 dinners per hour, or a dinner every 2 seconds.
In a festival full of tradition the first “Miss Chick,” Bonnie Sue Besecker (Laura, Ohio), was crowned in 1952 and the festival has continued to recognize vibrant, dynamic, young women. The pageant has drawn as many as 112 contestants from throughout Ohio and beyond, requiring an extensive judging process that begins before the festival. Today the event is limited to young ladies from Darke and surrounding counties. Thirty-three years after the first Miss Chick was crowned a new tradition was born when Trisha Rhoades became the festival’s first “Little Miss Poultry Days” in 1985.
As early as 1957 or 1958, Colonel Warner Nichols added the Grand Parade which he organized until his death in 1965 at which time John “Red” Elson took over. Red went on to start the successful Antique Car parade in 1973 which is now run by the Dickman Family. In the late 60s the Versailles Fire Department took over organizing the Grand Parade which has continued for nearly 50 years. Both parades continue today and draw in excess of 100 units annually making them among the largest parades in the region. The honorary Grand Parade Marshall position has been awarded to community leaders who are recognized for their contribution and volunteerism in the community.
Festival events have included live chickens, ducks, a giant mystery egg, egg art, giant wishbone pulling, and a rooster calling contest. For many years duck races were a familiar sight and sound on the grounds. In the early 1970s, Poultry Days attempted to break the world record for the largest egg omelet with another attempt in 1982. This culminated in an omelet that measured nearly 9 feet in diameter and required 22,128 eggs, 100 pounds of onions, and 100 pounds of ham that were combined in a concrete mixer. The custom-built omelet pan was an exhibit for many years and ended up in the Versailles pool at least once.
Two important chicken-related traditions associated with Poultry Days include the Giant Chicken Float and chicken painting. The Giant Chicken float first made its appearance in the late 80s and was originally purchased by the Versailles Development Association to promote Versailles. While known as the “Giant Chicken” in most parades this chicken was originally seated on a nest and had to be cut down to maneuver under power lines. Annual chicken painting started in 1996 to welcome visitors to town and later to designate board members and festival VIPs. The creation of a festival theme began in 1987 and since then selecting a fun theme has become one of the most challenging tasks for the chairman.
Poultry Days is no stranger to celebrities either. In 1964, Geraldine “Jerrie” Mock, the first women to fly solo around the world that same year in The Spirit of Columbus, landed by helicopter on the baseball field. Heart throb, Bob Braun attended the festival in 1969. Versailles native, Sam Graves, participated in the 1980 festival after winning a national competition for a “Mork from Ork” lookalike search. In 1985 and 1986 Super Chicken the world’s only Skydiving Clown appeared. In 1983, actor George Wendt, best known as Norm on Cheers, visited to thank Don Wick, a Versailles High School counselor, who successfully created a campaign to save Cheers from being canceled after its first season. After his duties were over, Wendt went around to the local bars and drank with the patrons. Legend has it when the Cheers gang is in the pool room “GO TIGERS” is on the chalkboard in the background as a reference to the Versailles Tigers for the help Mr. Wick gave to save the show. The festival was also a frequent destination for Governors and Senators and those seeking office, which continues today.
