Roaming Chickens Add Unusual Twist to Britt Concerts

Jacksonville, Oregon- At the Britt Festival Pavilion and Gardens, music isn’t the only thing drawing attention this summer. A flock of chickens has made the historic hillside concert venue its unexpected home, roaming the grounds and occasionally interrupting shows.

Around 8 to 10 roosters and hens have been spotted strutting through the amphitheater, nestled in the oak trees above downtown Jacksonville. Staff say the birds have become “permanent residents,” showing up at nearly every performance despite repeated attempts to escort them off the property.

“As much as we have enjoyed having them at almost every concert this month, they seem to be multiplying and we know that this can be a little alarming to some patrons,” the venue said in a statement.

The Britt Festival, founded in 1963, is one of the Northwest’s longest-running outdoor music festivals. Named for photographer and pioneer Peter Britt, the venue sits on his former estate and offers sweeping views of the Rogue Valley. Each summer it attracts thousands of visitors for national touring acts, symphonic performances and community events.

Now, the chickens have become an unlikely addition to Britt’s lore. “While this is a very strange problem to have at a concert venue, it is just another thing that makes Britt unique and we are delighted to have been a part of the lore,” staff said.

Organizers are asking for community help in rehoming the birds and are offering them free of charge to anyone willing to round them up. Local farmers and residents are invited to stop by the park on non-show days to collect one — or more.

For now, the chickens continue to wander the venue’s shaded pathways, adding a touch of unpredictability to a place already known for its charm.

UPDATE: The Britt Festival’s “chicken saga” took a new turn after staff and volunteers managed to corral five of six chickens that had taken up residence on the concert grounds.

“With help from our friend Blaize, his dad, and our Britt grounds crew, we were able to round up 5 of the 6 chickens,” the festival said in a social media update. “Just one rogue rooster on the loose.”

Most of the captured birds are now in a coop and “happily enjoying snacks from our apple trees,” according to the post. Organizers say they are still seeking a permanent home for the flock and are encouraging anyone interested in adopting to reach out or stop by Britt Hill on a non-show day.

The festival added that it did not expect its earlier social media post about the chickens to become its “most liked post ever,” but thanked the community for spreading the word.