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Chicken Boy Day is observed on September 1. The day celebrates one of Los Angeles’s most unusual roadside landmarks: Chicken Boy, a 22-foot fiberglass statue with the body of a man and the head of a chicken. Once created to advertise a fried chicken restaurant, the statue has become a beloved symbol of local creativity, preservation, and quirky Route 66 culture.

History of Chicken Boy Day

The exact origin of Chicken Boy Day is not clearly documented, but the holiday is dedicated to the famous Chicken Boy statue in Los Angeles. The figure was created in the 1960s as a modified Muffler Man, a type of large fiberglass advertising statue once common along American roadsides. Chicken Boy was customized with a chicken head and placed above the Chicken Boy Fried Chicken restaurant in downtown Los Angeles.

The statue remained there until 1984, when the restaurant closed. Its future was uncertain, but artist Amy Inouye helped save it from being discarded. Chicken Boy spent more than 20 years in storage before returning to public view in 2007 on top of Future Studio Gallery on North Figueroa Street in Highland Park.

Today, Chicken Boy is often called the Statue of Liberty of Los Angeles. Its rescue and restoration were supported by community effort, donations, and local preservation work. Chicken Boy Day honors not only the statue itself, but also the value of unusual landmarks that give neighborhoods character.

Interesting Facts About Chicken Boy Day

• Chicken Boy is a 22-foot-tall fiberglass statue.
• The statue combines a human body with a chicken head and holds a bucket of chicken.
• It was originally created as advertising for the Chicken Boy Fried Chicken restaurant.
• Chicken Boy is located on North Figueroa Street in the Highland Park area of Los Angeles.
• The statue is connected with Route 66 roadside culture.
• In 2010, Chicken Boy received recognition through preservation awards, including the Governor’s Historic Preservation Award.

How to Take Part in Chicken Boy Day

Chicken Boy Day can be celebrated by learning about the statue’s history and the role of roadside attractions in American culture. If you are in Los Angeles, you can visit Chicken Boy in Highland Park and take a photo of this unusual local landmark.

You can also use the day to appreciate public art, quirky neighborhood history, and community preservation projects. Share Chicken Boy’s story, support local landmarks, visit a Route 66 attraction, or simply enjoy a chicken dish in honor of the statue’s original restaurant roots.

When Is Chicken Boy Day in 2026?

Chicken Boy Day is observed on September 1 each year.

Observations