FUNKY CHICKENS FLOCK TO CHICKENFEST KEY WEST THROUGH JUNE 19

KEY WEST, Florida Keys - Funky chickens, roistering roosters and their fine feathered friends are to have something to crow about in Key West this summer - a festival that pays homage to the island city's own "birds of paradise."

ChickenFest Key West, scheduled through Sunday, June 19, celebrates the living, breathing, crowing feathered residents who freely roam the historic Old Town neighborhood - probably descended from chickens once kept for food and eggs, and from roosters bred generations ago for cockfights.

"The Key West chickens contribute to the island city's offbeat, laid-back atmosphere," said the event's director, Linda O'Brien. "The visitors who come here love to see the quirkiness of the island, and the chickens exemplify some of that eccentricity."

In May 2005, the Key West City Commission even declared the chicken the official bird of the island city - at least for the duration of the festival - despite opposition from proponents of other winged species whose feathers were ruffled by the designation.

ChickenFest Key West is to feature four days of family-friendly fowl play. Organizers have hatched a schedule that includes a competition for the best-looking "drumsticks," a chicken look-alike contest, and the Poultry in Motion Parade.

Friday, June 17, is to begin with the Chicken Feed-Feed, set for 4 p.m. at the Doubletree Grand Key Resort at 3990 S. Roosevelt Blvd. The chicken-free taste treats include slow-roasted steamship round and all the fixings. Live music and island drink specials are to round out the afternoon.

Admission is $14 per person. For information, call 305-293-1818.

Later that day, if it tastes like chicken, it probably isn't - because the Tastes Like Chicken Cook-off at the Crowne Plaza La Concha Hotel, 430 Duval St., is specifically designed to showcase chickenless cuisine. A flock of Key West's culinary all-stars are to compete in this gourmet gala, creating poultry-free treats that inspire tasters to crow, "It tastes like chicken!"

The cook-off, benefiting the Monroe Association for Retarded Citizens, is to begin at 5 p.m. Admission is free. For information, call 305-296-2991.

Friday evening is to bring a celebration of the "Conch Republic Eagle" on Petronia Street between Duval and Whitehead. The Caribbean-flavored ChickenFest Jammin' Jamboree is scheduled for 7-11 p.m. featuring live music in the street and a lively good time.

Admission is free. For information, call 305-294-9354.

Though Key West chickens are infamous for their flying skill, early-bird athletes are to stay grounded for the 5K Running of the Chickens at 8 a.m. Saturday, June 18.

Race day registration is scheduled at McCoy Indigenous Park at Atlantic Boulevard and White Street before the run, with the starting line at the White Street Pier. A kids' fun run is scheduled immediately after the main race.

Proceeds from the run are to benefit the Monroe Association for Retarded Citizens. For information and registration, call 305-296-5596.

Shoppers are to have something to squawk about Saturday during the Why Did the Chicken Cross the Street? Fair on Key West's colorful Duval Street. Presented by Howard Livingston & The Mile Marker 24 Band, the bizarre bazaar is to run from noon to 9 p.m. between Front and Fleming streets. Attractions are to include arts, crafts, food, poultry-themed paraphernalia and home-hatched entertainers.

From 4-6 p.m., poultry pretenders and good-looking chicks are invited to compete in Sloppy Joe's Chicken Look-Alike Contest & Cock-Tail Party. Feathers are sure to fly as competitors vie for a $250 first prize at the 201 Duval St. watering hole. The event is free to watch. For information, call 305-296-2388, ext. 21.

ChickenFest's main egg-stravaganza is scheduled for Saturday evening, when Comcast's Poultry in Motion Parade steps off at 7 p.m. Chickens of the sea, Foghorn Leghorn look-alikes and rooster revelers of all sorts are slated to participate.

The parade's costumed chickens and feathered floats are to leave Bayview Park, at Truman Avenue and Eisenhower Drive, and proceed along Truman to Duval, subsequently promenading down Duval to Fleming Street.

Sunday, June 19, festival participants can brunch with their hatchlings at a Father's Day Roosters' Brunch. Set for 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the gulfside gala is to take place at the Hilton Key West Resort & Marina, 245 Front St. For costs and reservations, call 305-292-4320.

Before chicken-lovers fly the coop until next year, they're invited to check out the chicks (and roosters) at the Live Chicken Beauty Pageant at Crabby Bill's, 511 Greene St. Bold and beauteous birds are to compete for $500 in cash and prizes (and that's not chicken feed!), with the winners crowned King Rooster and Queen Chicken. The free event is set to begin at noon. For information, call 305-304-1188.

Subsequently, roosters and hens can flock to the Shake Your Tail Feather Barbecue at the Parrotdise Bar & Grille, mile marker 28.5 bayside on U.S. Highway 1 on Little Torch Key. The avian action is to run 2-6 p.m. on the property's sandy waterfront beach, with highlights including chicken dance and egg toss contests. Organizers report that the party is strictly BYOB (Bring Your Own Bird), and prizes await the most colorful and most talkative birds.

For details, e-mail parrotdisebar@yahoo.com or call 305-872-9989.

Last but not least, chicks and roosters are to pair up at the "Chicken Reel" Barn Dance featuring the award-winning band Barnstorm. Presented by the Green Parrot Bar, 601 Whitehead St., the down-home square dance is set to begin at 4 p.m. and keep the barnyard rocking until 8 p.m.

Admission is free. For information, call 305-294-6133.

For more information about ChickenFest's cackling good time, visit the official festival Web site at www.chickenfestkeywest.com.

For lodging information in Key West, contact the Key West Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-LAST-KEY, or explore this Web site.