Why We Need Sponsors to Keep the Chicken Hunt Going

If you’ve ever seen a small group of determined kids weaving through Long Family Markets with big smiles and sharp eyes, you’ve probably witnessed the joy of the weekly Chicken Hunt.

Each week, Mr. Cluck Cluck, our beloved market chicken, finds a new hiding spot among the tents. Kids 13 and under search high and low to spot him, then report their findings at the Information Tent to choose their prize: Cluck Bucks or a pick from our prize box. It’s become a treasured part of our market experience, but beyond the fun, the Chicken Hunt serves a much deeper purpose.

More Than Just a Game

The Chicken Hunt is a tool for connection, education, and confidence-building. Through this playful activity, kids are encouraged to:

• Explore the marketplace. The hunt gets children walking the market, discovering new businesses, and meeting local farmers, bakers, makers, and small business owners along the way.
• Practice financial literacy. Cluck Bucks give kids the chance to budget, save, and decide how and when to spend their rewards, sometimes even holding out for a bigger purchase from a local business.
• Engage with food at the source. When kids use their Cluck Bucks to buy fruits, vegetables, eggs, or baked goods, they’re talking directly with the people who grow and make their food. These simple conversations can spark lasting curiosity about agriculture, health, and sustainability.
• Build confidence in new experiences. We’ve seen shy children transform through this activity, starting conversations with adults, asking questions, and stepping into new spaces with excitement.

Why Sponsorship Matters

Sponsoring the Chicken Hunt means you’re supporting more than a game. You’re investing in a child’s connection to community, local business, and real-world learning. Each sponsor helps us provide prizes, manage the Cluck Bucks program, and keep creating an environment where kids feel seen, valued, and excited to engage.

And here’s the best part: anyone can sponsor, not just businesses!

Local companies, nonprofit partners, and solo entrepreneurs are always welcome, but families and individuals can sponsor too. Whether you’re passionate about supporting youth programs, want to honor a loved one, or are simply a fan of Mr. Cluck Cluck’s weekly adventures, this is a chance to be part of something fun and meaningful.

I’ve sponsored the Chicken Hunt myself in honor of my brother’s birthday. It’s a fun way to give him a big birthday shoutout on our social media pages while giving back to the community in a way that reflects what we value: family, learning, and local connection.

You can sponsor to:

• Celebrate a birthday or special occasion
• Honor the memory of a loved one
• Give a shoutout to your favorite small business
• Support kids and families in your neighborhood
• Or just because you believe in building strong community traditions!

Sponsors receive great perks, like social media recognition, signage at the Information Tent, and even a photo op with Mr. Cluck Cluck himself (depending on sponsorship level). More importantly, your support keeps the magic going for our youngest market-goers.

Interested? Email longfamilymarkets@gmail.com to sponsor a week of the Chicken Hunt, or visit our For Funders & Partners page to learn more about supporting Long Family Markets Foundation.

Together, let’s keep building a market that welcomes every generation, from the tiniest treasure hunters to the wise old roosters. 🐔