The Chamber's Chester Chicken Chuck

Get ready to fling back in time! The Owen County Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Babbs Market, The Owen County Community Foundation and Smithville, is proud to present The Chamber's Chester Chicken Chuck — a plucky tribute to Owen County's egg-straordinary historic event.

Back in 1940, local businessmen Dwight Johnson, Chester Babbs and Fred White cooked up a wild idea: toss live turkeys, ducks and chickens from the courthouse roof so townfolk could wrangle a bird for Christmas dinner right off the street. The original "it's a Christmas dinner" was quite a festive affair — and now, we're recreating the fun with a modern twist and no live animals.

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 6, on the south lawn of the Owen County Courthouse.

Here's the pecking order: Wingman Team Challenge. Starting July 14, teams of two can sign up to become a "Wingman" teams. During round one, teams have 30 seconds to catch at least one egg/chicken tossed from the courthouse roof. Make the catch and move on to round two — where it's all about quantity. The team that scoops up the most chickens in their net gets second place Wingman Challenge winner. The winning team will win Babbs Chicken for a year and a cash prize.

Come down to a lucky cluck with a random draw. Teams can apply online at the Owen County Chamber website: myowencountychamber.com Chuck for a Charity Challenge.

Here's your chance to help a good cause. Sign up your organization; charity team to compete in the Chicken Chuck for charity gets $100. Also, the best-dressed chicken team gets a bonus of a $50 prize. It's a great way to ruffle some feathers for good.

Bring the Whole Flock! — Babbs Open Flys. Following the excitement of the Chicken Chuck contest, the festivities continue with the Babbs Little Chick Fly and the Babbs Open Fly, where they'll have the chance to catch one of 50 foam chickens and redeem it for a prize at the Babbs booth. Adults 18 and older can join the Babbs Open Fly.

If you are interested in signing up with your partner for the Chicken Chuck go to myowencountychamber.com/events or call 812-829-3245 for more information.