Don't miss one of Stone County’s favorite longtime traditions. The 75th Crane Broiler Festival returns to Crane, Missouri, August 21-22, 2026, with two days of barbecue chicken, live music, carnival rides, vendors, a parade and plenty of small-town fun. Carnival rides get an early start August 19-20. Admission and festival parking are free.
Located a short drive from Table Rock Lake, the festival is an easy addition to an Ozarks getaway and a chance to experience a community tradition that dates back to 1952.
Quick Festival Details
- Festival: Friday, August 21 and Saturday, August 22
- Carnival: Wednesday, August 19 through Saturday, August 22
- Location: Crane City Park, 107 Myrna Lewers Pkwy., Crane, MO
- Admission: Free
- Parking: Free
- More than 100 vendor booths featuring crafts, boutiques, local products, food and more
Wednesday, August 19 & Thursday, August 20
Want to get a jump on the fun? The carnival opens before the official festival begins.
- 6-10 p.m. - Carnival rides, games and food stands
- Ride armbands: $30 each night
Kenny’s Funland brings the midway to Crane with carnival rides, games and classic fair food.
Friday, August 21
Friday brings the opening of the full festival, including vendors, barbecue chicken and live entertainment.
- 11 a.m. - Craft and vendor booths open
- 11 a.m. - Famous barbecue chicken dinner service begins
- Served until approximately 9 p.m. or until sold out
- Noon - Gospel Tent music begins on the front stage
- Music continues until approximately 4 p.m.
- 3 p.m. - Carnival rides begin
- 6 p.m. - Slick Chick Pageant begins on the front stage
- 6:30 p.m. - Country music begins on the Backstage
- Featuring Travis Scott & the Playboyz
- Special guests include Greg Vaught, Kevin Baker, Penni Lawrence and Gannon Clevenger
- Carnival rides: 3-10 p.m.
- Ride armbands: $35
Saturday, August 22
Saturday is packed from early morning through fireworks after dark.
- 7 a.m. - Chicken Chase 5K packet pickup begins
- 7:30 a.m. - Discover Crane Chicken Chase 5K and 1-Mile Run/Walk
- Starts and finishes on Main Street
- 9 a.m. - Parade lineup begins
- 10 a.m. - Crane Broiler Festival Parade on Main Street
- Expect fire trucks, emergency vehicles, floats, classic cars, bands and plenty of candy for the kids
- 10 a.m. - Craft and vendor booths open
- 11 a.m. - Barbecue chicken dinner service begins
- 11 a.m. - New for 2026: Mule Jump near the Backstage
- Scheduled from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
- 11 a.m. - Classic Car Show begins at the ball field
- 11 a.m. - Gospel Tent music begins on the front stage
- Continues until approximately 8:30 p.m.
- Noon - Carnival rides begin
- 1:30 p.m. - Bluegrass music begins on the Backstage
- 1:30-2:20 p.m. - Flyn’ Buzzards
- 2:30-3:20 p.m. - Route Lonesome
- 3:30-4:20 p.m. - Performer to be announced
- 4:30-5:20 p.m. - Flyn’ Buzzards
- 5:30-6:20 p.m. - Route Lonesome
- 6:30-8 p.m. - Leevon DeCourley Band
- At dark - 75th Anniversary Fireworks at the ball field
- Carnival rides: Noon-10 p.m.
- Ride armbands: $35
Come Hungry for the Famous Broiler Chicken
The barbecue chicken is more than festival food. It is the tradition that started the Crane Broiler Festival in 1952.
Chicken halves are slow-cooked over charcoal on a massive outdoor pit using metal racks that are turned by hand. The festival says the cooking pit can hold approximately 1,150 chicken halves at one time, and more than 250 local volunteers help make the festival happen each year.
Chicken is served beginning at 11 a.m. Friday and Saturday until approximately 9 p.m. or until sold out, so arriving earlier in the day is a good idea.
- Full Chicken Dinner: $12
- Half chicken
- Potato salad
- Baked beans
- Bread
- Soda or water
- Half Chicken Dinner: $9
- Half chicken
- Bread
What Else Can You Expect?
Plan to spend some time exploring the park. Throughout the festival you’ll find:
- More than 100 craft, commercial and nonprofit vendor booths
- Carnival rides and games
- Fair food
- Live country and bluegrass music
- Local performers in the Gospel Tent
- The longtime Slick Chick Pageant
- Saturday morning parade
- Chicken Chase 5K and 1-Mile Run/Walk
- Classic Car Show
- New Mule Jump event
- 75th anniversary fireworks Saturday night
Whether you make the Crane Broiler Festival part of a Table Rock Lake vacation or come for the day, it is a fun opportunity to experience the food, traditions and community spirit that make the Ozarks special.
Festival schedules and carnival ride times are subject to change. Check the official Crane Broiler Festival website and Facebook page for the latest updates before you go.