(FRUITA, Colo.) — A festival that celebrates the life of a “world-famous headless chicken named Mike,” is back for its 25th year this spring, and the event is expected to bring thousands of people to Fruita, Colorado.
Located on the outskirts of Grand Junction on the Utah/Colorado border, Fruita is the last little town visitors drive through before exiting the state.
Marc Mancuso, Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Fruita said that while the town is known for its mountain biking and recreation, Fruita is also famous for the story of ‘Mike the Headless Chicken.’
Marc Mancuso, Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Fruita.
“The whole story began in 1945 here in Fruita,” he said. “Lloyd and Clara Olsen were processing some chickens for the market, and one of the young roosters survived the beheading.”
Mancuso said many people who hear the story, at first don’t believe it, but according to the City of Fruita’s website, scientists documented Mike’s unbelievable tale.
“He had part of his brainstem and the jugular vein remaining intact, which allowed him to function, so the Olsens decided to take care of him with an eyedropper and prevent any choking by clearing his throat because he was unable to do that,” explained Mancuso.
Mike’s story quickly began to circulate not only in the small town of Fruita but beyond Colorado, too. “He was a national sensation, they were marketed in Life Magazine in 1945 and he began touring in different areas; Salt Lake, Long Beach, and other cities,” Mancuso said.
In the spring of 1947, Mike’s story would come to an end. “He lived for 18 months without the head until he was out in Phoenix where he choked and didn’t have everything to revive him.”
Mancuso said to help keep Mike’s spirit alive, the ‘Mike the Headless Chicken Festival’ was born. “Back in 1998, 1999 a group wanted to start some kind of celebration in Fruita… and it took off, and ever since 1999, it was a hit.”
2025 marks the festival’s 25th year after the City of Fruita paused the festival during COVID.
“The whole idea for this event was a funky, weird festival… and what amazes me, is hearing all the people that come to Fruita for this event specifically,” said Mancuso.
This year’s festival is scheduled for Friday, May 30 through Saturday, May 31 in downtown Fruita at the Civic Center Pavilion located at 325 East Aspen Avenue.
There will be several activities for the family to enjoy, including live music, a 5K run, games, a peep-eating contest for kids, and a wing-eating contest for adults—just to name a few.
Mancuso said his favorite part of the festival is being able to share Mike’s story. “And to see all of the community come together and celebrate this amazing story and to be able to share that with others, is really what we enjoy.”
To see a full schedule of events for this year’s festival, click the link above.
