Austin’s famous bingo-playing chickens will make a special appearance at the Texas ASC Society’s annual conference next week!
On Sunday, February 19, Krista DuRapau (the TASCS executive director) and Jenn Schlabach (the society’s membership and meeting coordinator), went to The Little Longhorn Saloon, an Austin honky-tonk dating back to WWII, for a game of chicken bingo. You’re probably wondering if chickens can actually play bingo, and TASCS can attest to the fact that, indeed, they doo-doo.
Visitors from all over the world come to participate in this unique game every Sunday, and the idea was actually hatched by country music legend Dale Watson, who was an Austin local. Though he has moved away, the tradition is still carried on by bar owner Terry Gaona, her husband, and their chickens.
So what happens exactly? Everyone buys in to play, is given their ticket numbers, and the chickens get to work, one at a time. Tammy Wynette was up first, and she seemed a little nervous about the crowd surrounding her but enjoyed her chicken scratch, moving about the board. Attendees waited patiently until she had to go, and where it would land, no one could know! After much anticipation, her performance came to an end on spot number 21, so the winners with this ticket number excitedly accepted their prize.
Patsy Cline was up next, taking her time; she wasn’t about to rush through her corn treats on the board. Players began to respectfully ask her to move towards their numbers, coaxing her with delicate encouragement. Mother Nature cannot be rushed, but when the big moment finally came, the next winners yelled out in delight.
After each game, the owners hold the chickens for pictures and pets. The birds are obviously well-cared for and accustomed to the excitement surrounding them…which YOU can be part of at our annual conference!
On Tuesday, March 7, at an after-dinner social event from 7-9:00 p.m., the chickens will join conference attendees for a game of bingo. Generous sponsors like RFX Solutions are helping make this event possible, and all exhibitors are contributing to the prizes you can win.
You have probably never seen chickens at a conference, much less ones that play games. But, after all, the TASCS Annual Conference IS an event like no other, so we invite you to join us and can’t wait to see you next week!
Do you want to sponsor chicken bingo? We are still looking for support, so email [email protected] for details.
We’re also still looking for sponsorships for the Hard Count Kitchen & Cocktails portion of our progressive dinner. If interested, please reach out to us.
