Versailles Poultry Days: A Small Town Tradition with a Big Appetite

If there is one event that proves a small town can throw a world-class party, it’s the annual Versailles Poultry Days festival in Versailles, Ohio. This weekend, thousands of visitors will flock to the charming Darke County community for three days of food, music, family fun, and a celebration of the region’s rich agricultural heritage. What began in 1952 as a simple community gathering has grown into one of Ohio’s most beloved summer festivals, attracting visitors from across the Midwest.

At the heart of the festival is its legendary barbecue chicken. Volunteers spend countless hours preparing and grilling thousands of half-chickens over massive pits, creating an aroma that fills the air and draws hungry festival-goers from blocks away. For many attendees, enjoying a perfectly cooked chicken dinner is more than a meal—it’s a tradition passed down through generations.

But Poultry Days is about much more than food. The festival features live entertainment, carnival rides, a parade, arts and crafts vendors, car shows, athletic competitions, and activities for all ages. Families stroll the festival grounds while children enjoy games and rides, creating memories that last long after the weekend ends.

The event also serves as a tribute to the poultry industry that has long been an important part of the local economy. Versailles and the surrounding region have deep agricultural roots, and Poultry Days provides an opportunity to celebrate the hardworking farmers and producers who help feed communities throughout Ohio and beyond.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the festival is the volunteer spirit behind it. Hundreds of local residents donate their time each year to make the event possible. Their dedication reflects the strong sense of community that has defined Versailles for generations.

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a longtime fan, Versailles Poultry Days offers a perfect slice of small-town Ohio at its best—where neighbors become friends, traditions are celebrated, and everyone is welcome at the table.

So grab some napkins, bring your appetite, and head to Versailles this weekend. The chicken is hot, the music is playing, and one of Ohio’s favorite summer traditions is ready to welcome you.

Schedule of Events:

Friday, June 12
9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Flower Show Registration – Bus Driver Meeting Room
12:00 – 2:00 p.m. Vendor Tents Set-Up
1:00 p.m. Flower Show Judging (Open Class) – Bus Driver Meeting Room
3:00 – 6:00 p.m. Friends of the Library Book Sale – Worch Library
4:00- 8:00 p.m. VAPPA Lemonade and Pit-Tatoes
3:00 – 8:00 p.m. Flower Show – Bus Driver Meeting Room
3:00 – 10:30 p.m. Food, Concessions, Rides and Carnival Booths in Operation
3:00 – 11:30 p.m. Social Tent in Operation
3:30 – 8:00 p.m. Drive & Walk-Thru Barbecue Chicken (or sell out) 4:00 – 7:30 p.m. DeMange Brothers -Social Tent 4:00 – 9:00 p.m. Vendor Tents – North Parking Lot
4:00 – 6:00 p.m. 5K Run/Walk & Fun Run Packet Pickup (East Lot OR LOT C – Versailles High School)
4:30– 5:30 p.m. NEW! Katelyn & Olivia Meyer – Dining Tent
5:00- 8:00 p.m. Family Fun Zone, Lifewise Academy
5:30– 6:30p.m. NEW! Juliet Ahrens & Ryan Pleiman – Dining Tent
6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Lions Club – Chuckaluck
6:00 – 10:00 p.m. K of C Bingo – South of Building
6:30 p.m. Little Miss Poultry Days Contest – Old HS Gym
8:00 – 11:30 p.m. 1988 -Social Tent
9:45 – 10:00 p.m. Fireworks – Track and Field

Saturday, June 13
7:00– 8:15 a.m. 5K Run/Walk & Fun Run Packet Pickup/Registration – High School, East Parking Lot
7:30 – 9:00 a.m. Egg & Cake Registration – Multi-Purpose Building

8:30 a.m. 5K Run/Walk Race (Awards following) – High School 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Ultimate Frisbee Tournament – Heritage Park 9:15 a.m. 1-Mile Fun Run – High School
9:30 a.m. Awards Ceremony 5K Run/Walk – New High School
9:30 a.m. Egg & Cake Judging – Multi-Purpose Building
11:00 a.m. Grand Parade – Bands, Miss Chick, Floats
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Raptor Experience, Darke County Parks –
11:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. Drive & Walk-Thru Barbecue Chicken (or sell out)
12:00- 8:00 p.m. VAPPA Lemonade and Pit-Tatoes 12:00 – 6:00 p.m. Friends of the Library Book Sale – Worch Library 12:00 – 5:00 p.m. Versailles FFA – Petting Zoo (North Parking Lot near Vendor Tents)
12:00 – 6:00 p.m. Kinder Korner Dunk Tank – Front Lawn
12:00 – 8:00 p.m. Cake & Eggs Show – Multi-Purpose Building 1
2:00 – 8:00 p.m. Flower Show – Bus Driver Meeting Room
12:00 – 9:00 p.m. Vendor Tents – North Parking Lot
12:00 – 6:00 pm Family Fun Zone -North side of school
12:00 – 10:30 p.m. Food, Concessions, Rides and Carnival Booths in Operation
12:00 – 11:30 p.m. Social Tent in Operation
12:30 – 10:00 p.m. K of C Bingo – South of Building
12:30 – 3:30 p.m. NEW! CPR Band -Social Tent
12:30 – 1:30 p.m. NEW! Montana Pulfer – Dining Tent
1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Versailles Area Museum – Open
1:00 p.m. Flag Raising Ceremony– Front of Old High School
1:30 – 3:00 p.m. Raptor Experience -North side of school
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Versailles Community Band – Front Lawn
2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Miss Chick Contest – Finals & Crowning – Old High School Gym
3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Egg & Cake Show – Awards
3:00 – 4:00 p.m. NEW Swing 8 Square Dancing (Dining tent front Lawn)
3:30 – 5:00 p.m. Raptor Experience -North side of school
4:00 – 9:00 p.m. Lions Club – Chuckaluck
4:00 – 7:00 p.m. NEW! Act 3 – Social Tent
4:30– 5:30 p.m. NEW! Mariah, Ben & Bella Hill- Dining Tent
5:30–6:30p.m. NEW! Corynn Goubeaux – Dining Tent
7:00 p.m. Ultimate Frisbee Cool Hand Luke Egg Eating Contest – Heritage Park
7:30 – 11:30 p.m. NEW! First to Eleven -Social Tent

 

Sunday, June 14
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Ultimate Frisbee Tournament – Heritage Park
9:00 a.m. – 3:30 pm Car Show – Registration (South Center and Ward Streets)
11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Drive & Walk-Thru Barbecue Chicken (or sell out)
11:30 – 12:30 p.m. NEW! Hannah Schneible – Dining Tent
12:00– 5:30 p.m. VAPPA Lemonade and Pit-Tatoes
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Kiddie Tractor Pull Registration – Driveway to the Vendor Area
12:00 p.m. Corn Hole Tournament – Registration/Sign-in – Front Lawn
12:00 – 5:00pm Family Fun Zone, Lifewise Academy
12:00 – 4:00 p.m. Friends of the Library Book Sale – Worch Library
12:00 – 5:00 p.m. Vendor Tents – North Parking Lot
12:00 – 5:00 p.m. Versailles FFA – Petting Zoo (North Parking Lot near Vendor Tents)
12:00 – 6:00 p.m. Kinder Korner Dunk Tank – Front Lawn
12:00 – 6:00 p.m. Flower Show – Bus Driver Meeting Room
12:00 – 8:00 p.m. Food, Concessions, Rides and Carnival Booths in Operation
12:00 – 10:30 p.m. Social Tent in Operation
12:30– 1:30 p.m. NEW! Nadia & Leland Bolin- Dining Tent
12:30 p.m. Corn Hole Tournament – Front Lawn (in the gym if rain)
1:00 p.m. Kiddie Tractor Pull – Driveway to the Vendor Area
1:00 – 3:30 p.m. Brothers in Law – Social Tent
1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Versailles Area Museum – Open
1:00 – 7:00 p.m. K of C Bingo – South of Building
2:00 p.m. Ultimate Frisbee Championship Matches & Awards – Heritage Park
3:00 p.m. Chicken Eating Contest Registration – Front Lawn
3:00 – 9:00 p.m. Lions Club – Chuckaluck
3:30 p.m. Chicken Eating Contest – Front Lawn
4:00 – 6:30 p.m. Eight Ball -Social Tent
4:30– 5:30p.m. NEW! Gabby Spitzer Dining Tent
7:00 – 10:30 p.m. Saw Crush – Social Tent