Watch out poultry lovers: In early 2008, a peep of up to 35 fiberglass chicken sculptures will hatch in Marietta and roost on our streets as part of a citywide public art and fundraising project. While the chickens are incubating, the community will be given more time to become involved with chances to sponsor a chicken before it hatches.

The lil’ chickens were supposed to come out of their shells this summer. The working committee for the lil’ chickens said the deadline has been extended to 2008 to allow the community to become more involved and sponsor a chicken.
Help sponsor a lil chicken

Sponsorships are available to individuals, groups and businesses that will be recognized by a plaque attached to the sculpture and through a series of promotions. Sponsoring a chicken will also allow sponsors to donate money to the nonprofit of their choice.

Marietta Mayor Bill Dunaway said the lil’ chickens of Marietta are a great opportunity to have some fun with a well-known city landmark, the famous Big Chicken on Roswell Street. “It’s a great fundraiser. I’m confident it will bring visitors who will discover all the wonderful things we have to offer,” Dunaway said. “Like Marietta, the lil’ chickens are unique.”

Since the idea was hatched, lil’ chickens of Marietta received enthusiastic support from the Junior League of Cobb-Marietta, city of Marietta, Marietta Museum of History, the Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art and the Marietta Welcome Center.

Like the CowParade® in Chicago and the Town Turtles of Sandy Springs, the lil’ chickens of Marietta will put painted and otherwise adorned sculptures on the sidewalks of Marietta in early 2008 for the enjoyment of visitors and residents alike. It also gives local businesses and individuals a way to support the arts and local nonprofits.

The campaign to find chicken sponsors began at the Naked Chicken Kick Off Party. Sponsorships are available for a limited time. Don’t be a chicken! For information on sponsoring a lil’ chicken, visit their Web site at lilchickensofmarietta.com.

The lil’ chickens of Marietta is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization. Their purpose is to promote local artists and their work, and through that process to raise funds for local nonprofit organizations.