Ostrich Festival Special Edition!!!
THE OSTRICH FESTIVAL IS FINALLY HERE
Every year, Chandler, Arizona, holds the Ostrich Festival to celebrate our favorite bird, give Chandlerians something to do, and make money for the Chandler Chamber of Commerce. Now, you are probably wondering how ostriches (native to Africa) became associated with Chandler, Arizona (not in Africa). It goes back to Chandler’s founder, Dr. Alexander John Chandler, who tried to cash in on the lucrative ostrich feather fashion trend by raising ostriches on his ranch at the turn of the 20th century. He was the first person to bring ostriches to Arizona, but many ranchers followed suit and soon the area was filled with ostriches. About a decade later, ostrich feathers went out of style and that was pretty much it for ostrich farms. In 1989, Chandler smartly tapped into its avian history to give its annual spring festival a unique draw. The Ostrich Festival was born.
CONTROVERSY
Unsurprisingly, the festival features several ostrich-related things. There is an ostrich mascot named Tutu. Ostrich burgers are on the menu (FUN FACT: ostrich meat, while technically poultry, is red). And there’s the exciting and highly anticipated main attraction: ostrich races — wait, what’s this?
Dave Itzkoff has questions and I have answers. I asked the Ostrich Festival what happened with the zebra, but it put its head in the sand and did not respond to my politely worded email. Being a journalist, I was able to obtain the necessary information on my own: At some point in the festival’s history, someone decided that ostriches alone were not exciting enough (wrong). Other exotic animals, including zebras, were brought in. Last year, a zebra escaped its confines, ran into the road, and was hit by a car and killed. The Arizona Republic chose to illustrate this tragic news with this silly picture:
It’s a silly slideshow, actually.
Even though no ostriches were involved, this incident was enough for the festival to acquiesce to animal rights activists’ demands to stop the races. They have been replaced with “a fun and interactive educational program with ostriches that includes interesting fun facts about them and the history of ostrich ranching in Chandler.”
I know Robert is mad but I think it’s for the best. The ostriches will be there for festival-goers to enjoy at a safe distance, and they are still free to attack all of the Phoenix metro area’s field reporters:
The trouble-making zebras were back this year, by the way. Happily, they made it through the weekend without incident.
MERRIMENT
Of course, the festival isn’t just ostriches.
KC Klein cherished family bonding time at the Flo Rida concert.
Julianna reminisced about Ostrich Festivals past.
This guy spent his day “triggering liberals” by wearing a hat instead of relaxing and enjoying the many attractions.
Jane appreciated music and funnel cake.
And Nick Pollack actually managed to win one of those rigged carnival games.
All in all, looks like another successful Ostrich Festival! Perhaps I will see it in person next year …
OSTRICH MULTIMEDIA OF THE WEEK
It’s a good idea to do a live news report from the middle of an ostrich pen.