The Chicken & Beer Festival will return to University Park on Saturday, Oct. 18, marking its fifth anniversary with food, drinks, music and a focus on community.
Founded by local food-tech platform EatHere, the event has grown from a small gathering to one of the city’s largest culinary festivals, drawing thousands of attendees and more than 40 Indiana-based food and drink vendors. The festival highlights minority-owned, ethnic-owned and international chefs, serving everything from Filipino and Venezuelan dishes to Nashville-style hot chicken and American comfort food.
Organizers say the festival aims to support equity in the local food scene by waiving vendor fees and allowing businesses to keep 100% of their sales. Many participating vendors are minority- or immigrant-owned. Since its start, the event has generated more than $530,000 in local economic activity.
The festival also attracts visitors from across the country, with over 30% of attendees traveling from cities such as Miami, Atlanta and Chicago. Organizers expect this year’s “Family Style” format to encourage shared meals and conversation. The day will also feature live music, a DJ lineup and the return of the “Hot Wing Challenge.”
Indiana’s role as a top poultry-producing state provides a fitting backdrop for the celebration. The state’s independent restaurants contribute more than $4.5 billion annually to the economy, making events like the Chicken & Beer Festival part of a larger effort to keep revenue local.
General admission tickets are $30 and include four food tickets and three drink tickets. VIP tickets, which include additional samples and early entry, are $40. All attendees have a 2.5-hour tasting window, after which vendors will sell food and drinks directly.
Vendors span a range of cuisines and styles, from local barbecue spots like City Barbeque and Yard Bird BBQ to dessert makers including The Cheesecake Lady and Salamat Cookies. Beverage options will include lemonade, wine, cocktails and beer.
To buy tickets, visit chickenandbeerindy.com.
Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.
