The cluck of couture echoed through Yacolt on Saturday as dozens gathered outside Stellar Luxe for the town’s first ever Chicken Fashion Show, a community event that brought together chickens in costumes, local vendors and a whole lot of personality.
The idea started as a joke between friends behind the register at Stellar Luxe, a decor shop in Yacolt, according to owner Jordana LaSalle.
“We were talking about chicken hats that always sell out and said, ‘Let’s throw a chicken fashion show,’” LaSalle said. “And so here we are.”
With only about six months of planning, the event took shape quickly but drew strong interest from the community.
“Getting people involved was kind of easy. Who doesn’t want to be part of a chicken fashion show?” LaSalle said. “Everybody that came set up and it turned out to be a beautiful thing.”
Participants strutted their feathered friends down a makeshift runway, competing in categories like “Best Dressed,” “Most Chaotic Outfit” and “Best Runway Walk.”
“The turnout was better than expected,” LaSalle said. “Great crowd, great vendors, great vibe. Everybody’s happy, everybody’s got a smile on their face.”
Costumes ranged from formal wear to themed outfits inspired by music stars and local icons.
“The creativity was out of this world,” LaSalle said. “Everybody brought their own spin to things.”
Shelly Green, a Yacolt farmer who raises over 100 chickens, took home “Best Dressed” for her rooster Batman, dressed as a deputy complete with a hat and badge.
“I love chickens,” Green said. “I breed them, I raise them. I think everybody should have chickens.”
“This is the first year that it’s happened, so the turnout was amazing,” Green added. “There were so many people (who) came out. We just can’t wait for next year and the year after to keep it going.”
The event also featured bubble-blowing, crafts, face painting, Chicken Polo and a “Chicken Pick-Up Tournament” involving claw grabbers and plastic eggs.
“Chickens are fun,” LaSalle said. “They make people smile, and in times like this, we just want to make people happy. Who can’t smile when they see a chicken in an outfit?”
LaSalle said the fashion show will return next year.
“We’re so glad we were able to bring this to the community,” she said. “We’re looking forward to this being a yearly tradition.”
