Design the official poster for one of Colorado’s most iconic—and quirky—festivals. The Mike the Headless Chicken Festival is back in 2026, and we’re inviting artists from across the Grand Valley to help us kick things off. This is your chance to create the official festival poster for one of the most beloved (and bizarre) celebrations in the country. Whether you’re a digital illustrator, graphic designer, or creative dreamer, we want to see your take on Fruita’s favorite headless chicken. What’s in it for the winner? A $500 cash prize
(Includes all reproduction rights and copyrights)

Official recognition as the 2026 poster artist includes: a printed copy of the final festival poster, festival merch, cash prize, and featured as part of Fruita’s event history—forever. What we’re looking for: We want artwork that captures the spirit of the Mike the Headless Chicken Festival: fun, weird, colorful, and full of Fruita charm. Your design should reflect what makes this place and this story so unique—from small-town pride and community connection to desert landscapes and offbeat humor. We’re looking for original digital artwork with a vertical layout that can be easily reproduced as a printed poster.

Contest Guidelines: Open to artists in the Grand Valley region. Artwork must be original and digital design must be in a vertical layout. Designs created with AI are not allowed. Submission deadline: More information coming soon!