Catch a chicken, win prizes at Christmas Capers on Dec. 14
MADISON – An almost century- old custom that is solely unique to Madison will return to Main Street with the Christmas Capers.
The City of Madison and Madison Station Historical Preservation Society will present Christmas Capers at 4 p.m. on Dec. 14 at 200 Main St.
In the early 20th century, ‘Doc’ Hughes ran his business, Hughes Drug Store, at this location. Hughes kept the store open until 1972.
In the late 1920s during the Great Depression, Hughes realized that some Madison families could not afford to have a Christmas dinner. To ease that scenario, Hughes bought live chickens and tied notes on the chickens’ legs that people could redeem for free merchandise at the drug store.
On Christmas Eve, Hughes tossed the live chickens off his drug store’s roof to the delight of everyone in attendance on Main Street. In addition to the redeemable prizes, everyone could keep the chicken to cook for a Christmas meal.
This annual Madison tradition continued until the start of World War ll, just after the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, according to “Madison Station, Historical Downtown Madison, 1856-2015” by Madison Station Historical Preservation Society.
For the contemporary re-enactment of Christmas Capers, Larry Anderson and Walt Anderson, grandsons of Doc Hughes, will stand of the roof of Hughes Drug Store and throw rubber chickens with gift vouchers valued at more than $3,000.
“The Madison City Community Orchestra will provide Christmas carols to the delight of the crowd. The Rotary Club of Madison will warm everyone up with hot chocolate and cookies,” Debbie Overcash said. Overcash is President of Madison Station Historical Preservation Society.
“Madison’s Main Street shops and restaurants will be open. Please stop in and shop,” Debbie Overcash said.
Madison Christmas Capers was reinstated in 2019 during the Sesquicentennial Celebration of Madison’s 150th Birthday. “The Sesquicentennial Committee brought the Christmas Capers back home to the delight of all,” Overcash said.
“Even in 2020 during the COVID-19 isolation, the capers continued . . . virtually, not missing a step in this wonderful Madison tradition,” she said.
“It will be a great day on Main Street. Hope to see you there!” Overcash said.
For more information, visit madisonal. gov or historicmadisonstation. com.
