Come dressed as a chicken! New twist on Elphin Chicken Day as avian flu puts paid to traditional format
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
It is the highlight of the year for a rural Sutherland community.
The unique and hugely popular Elphin Chicken Day celebrates everything to do with hens, with participants taking along their fowl to enter into a range of competitions. And perhaps the best loved contest is the hilarious chicken race.
But organisers were faced with the dismal prospect of possibly having to cancel it this year amid continuing concern over avian flu.
RELATED
Return of Elphin egg-stravaganza after Covid break attracts more chicken enthusiasts than ever
However, after putting their heads together they have come up with quirky twists on the event which are bound to be a hit.
Competitors are being asked to bring photos of their hens for entry into the prettiest hen and most handsome cockerel events.
And there will also be other competitions such as egg throwing, best decorated cage and best hand-crafted chicken as well as best matched and most different half-dozen eggs and much more.
And even the chicken race has been saved - with organisers asking people to enter the race as well as a chicken impersonation contest, dressed up as chickens themselves!
There will be adult and junior races with adult chickens following a 1km route around the Elphin township.
Organiser Sian Curley said: "We're really excited that we're going to be able to continue Elphin Chicken Day, even in the face of avian flu. We're hoping for a good turnout again this year, with lots of human hens and cockerels entering the race."
People are been asked to keep sustainability in mind when creating their chook costumes by using secondhand clothes.
The event takes place on September 16, from 1pm-4pm. For more information visit Elphin Chicken Day's Facebook page.
