• 66°
A crowds cheers in 2019 as Larry Anderson and Walt Anderson as they threw rubber chickens off the roof of a building their grandfather once used for his drug store. The annual tradition will once again be held on Sunday. RECORD PHOTO/JOHN FEW

Christmas Capers 2021 – It will be raining rubber chickens in downtown Madison on Sunday

MADISON – The forecast says it will be raining rubber chickens in downtown Madison this week. An unusual tradition from Madison’s past has been making a popular comeback over the past couple of years and is returning again on Sunday. The city and historical society will present the third annual Madison Christmas Capers on Dec. 12 from 4 to 5 p.m. Lifelong residents will reprise the legend with ‘Doc’ Hughes tossing live chickens from his drug store’s roof to spectators below.

The custom of Christmas Capers originated in 1925 when George Walton ‘Doc’ Hughes rented the Humphrey-Hughes property at 200 Main St. in downtown Madison. Doc Hughes opened his drug store business at that location, which he operated until 1972.

During years of the Great Depression in the early 1930s, Hughes started a holiday tradition dubbed the “Christmas Chicken Capers,” according to “Madison Station, Historic Downtown Madison, 1856-2015” by Madison Station Historical Preservation Society.

On Christmas Eve, ‘Doc’ Hughes threw live chickens from the roof of his business. The chickens had tags attached to their legs, and people could redeem the tags for prizes in Hughes’ store. Anyone who caught the chickens (sometimes turkeys, some people say) received the prizes and kept the chicken for Christmas dinner.

In recent years, the Christmas Chicken Capers evolved from live chickens to rubber chickens with gift cards from local retail stores.

At 4 p.m., Doc Hughes’ grandsons, Larry and Walt Anderson, will re-enact the legend by pitching rubber chickens with gift vouchers tied to their legs from Hughes Drug Store’s balcony. Gift vouchers are valued in thousands of dollars.

Rotary Club of Madison will serve free hot chocolate and cookies. Madison City Community Orchestra will entertain the crowd.

Christmas Capers will continue when the city and Torch Technologies present the second annual “Madison Christmas Night at the Movie.” The free film will be shown at Home Place Park at 5:30 p.m. Parking will be available at Madison City Schools Stadium.

This vintage photo shows the crowd gathered on Main Street to catch the free chickens with gift certificates attached. CONTRIBUTED

Digital Version

Digital version of The Madison Record – April 17, 2024

Events

Check out the 2024-25 edition of “Explore Huntsville-Madison”

Bob Jones High School

Business, Army groups offer scholarships

Bob Jones High School

Optimists award teacher grants, essay winners

Liberty Middle School

Kristen Brown named finalist for Alabama Teacher of the Year

Madison

Journey Math Team makes mark in 2 tourneys

Bob Jones High School

Artwork by Charity Stratton on exhibit at library

Harvest

Madison City Community Orchestra to present ‘Eroica’ on April 20-21

Events

Orion Amphitheater kicks off its third concert season tonight

James Clemens High School

James Clemens HOSA overshadows conference competitors

Harvest

It’s Spring! Plant sale returns to Huntsville Botanical Garden

Bob Jones High School

Bob Jones AFJROTC aces first try at obstacle course

Discovery Middle School

Clifton, Francois earn grants to enhance study of German

Bob Jones High School

Fantasy Playhouse summer camps to open in Madison

Discovery Middle School

Hogan Family YMCA to celebrate Healthy Kids Day

Bob Jones High School

Students in grades 3-5 to compete in Bob Jones Science Challenge

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

James Clemens Football Hosting Annual Mattress Sale

James Clemens High School

James Clemens baseball hot at the right time

Discovery Middle School

Register for Summer Spotlight Theatre Camp at James Clemens

Bob Jones High School

Bob Jones hails as section’s top team at Scholastic Chess Championship

James Clemens High School

James Clemens leads at Student Council Association conference

News

Messiah Lutheran’s Rummage Sale turns ‘discards into disaster relief’

Harvest

Madison Academy to present ‘High School Musical – One Act Edition’

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Remembering Tom Monroe- “Johnny Appleseed Of Disc Golf”

x