In Focus: Off to the Chicken Races in Independence Valley

A contestant watches as a chicken is netted during Independence Valley Community Hall’s 42nd Annual Chicken Races in Rochester on Sunday.

A chicken is released from its laundry-basket prison at the start of a new race during Independence Valley Community Hall’s 42nd Annual Chicken Races in Rochester on Sunday. Each chicken starts the race covered in the center of the ring and once uncovered, the contestant throws socks and other soft items to encourage the chicken to run out of a painted ring.

A chicken dodges a sock during the Independence Valley Community Hall’s 42nd Annual Chicken Races in Rochester on Sunday.

Parker Ashton throws a cap at a chicken during Independence Valley Community Hall’s 42nd Annual Chicken Races in Rochester on Sunday.

A chicken ignores a sock intended to encourage it to run during Independence Valley Community Hall’s 42nd Annual Chicken Races in Rochester on Sunday.

Athena, 6, prepares to launch a pair of socks at a chicken during Independence Valley Community Hall’s 42nd Annual Chicken Races in Rochester on Sunday.

Margaret Brown throws socks at a chicken during Independence Valley Community Hall’s 42nd Annual Chicken Races in Rochester on Sunday.

Kids chase after a runaway chicken who made its way onto the stage during Independence Valley Community Hall’s 42nd Annual Chicken Races in Rochester on Sunday. No chickens were harmed during the event, which is a fundraiser for Independence Valley Community Hall.

A volunteer prepares to scoop up a chicken with a net during Independence Valley Community Hall’s 42nd Annual Chicken Races in Rochester on Sunday.