Famous Chicken to Visit on Thursday, July 23

On Thursday, July 23, Fifth Third Field will be visited by the sultan of strut, the king of comedy, the colossus of clucks, the Famous Chicken. Not only will the Famous Chicken bring kicks and giggles to the stadium, but he also will bring a legendary ideal that changed the world of sports forever.           

The Chicken hatched in 1974 when college student Ted Giannoulas walked into KGB radio station on campus looking for some work. Without so much as an audition, Giannoulas scored the job and started in a rented chicken suit as the KGB Chicken. He spent time visiting zoos before getting the chance to appear and volunteer at the San Diego Padres games.

Currently, the appearance of a man in a chicken suit at a baseball game is not a foreign concept, but in the 1970's, this wasn't a common tradition. But with Giannoulas' hilarious acts and high energy, his presence at the games became just as important as the game itself.

After five years with KGB, Giannoulas decided to strike out on his own as a free agent. But as Giannoulas goofed his way around the field, his newfound freedom from the henhouse was short lived. KGB decided to sue the man in the chicken suit for "intellectual property". By June 1979, the court ruled in favor for Giannoulas and he officially became the Famous Chicken.

Giannoulas launched his career in what's called "The Grand Hatching," which involved a 10-foot Styrofoam egg, a standing ovation and a new chicken suit. The Famous Chicken's success took flight from "The Grand Hatching." Since then he has appeared in all fifty states and four continents.

Not only has Giannoulas made the Famous Chicken successful, he also opened a door for the mascot industry. It wouldn't be the same to come to a Dragons game and not have Gem and Heather on the field making you laugh between innings. So make sure to give the Famous Chicken a round of applause as he makes you laugh.