4-H Chicken Shack Opens at West TN State Fair
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JACKSON, Tenn.–The West Tennessee State Fair kicked off Tuesday night at the Jackson Fairgrounds. The 4-H Chicken Shack is a fair favorite that benefits local 4-H students. Workers spend hours standing over a hot fire pit cooking chicken. “I keep coming back year after year and cause you know I like it,” Pitmaster Harold Cothran said. Cothran followed in his father‘s footsteps. He started flipping chickens at the fair more than 30 years ago. “The sauce, you know, it adds the flavor, but Harold’s been doing it so long he knows exactly what to do and that’s what makes it so good,” 4-H student Alex McCarver said. Workers use a special vinegar based sauce to coat the chicken. “You want the mask on, goggles and a face mask for breathing (be)cause otherwise the vinegar gets in your eyes, gets in your throat and it burns,” said McCarver. Cothran said the chicken has to cook about three to three and a half hours. He said if you are standing next to the pit, it can get up to 130 degrees. Proceeds from the annual fundraiser benefit local 4-H programs. For every hour students pitch in, they earn money for trips and activities. McCarver called it sweat equity. “It’s a lot of work, but it is a lot of fun,” he said. Cothran hopes students take away life long lessons from the 4-H Chicken Shack. “This also teaches them good leadership skills and everyday living,” he said. The Chicken Shack is open for lunch and dinner through Saturday.
