Big Chicken Offers Free Ice Cream for Shaquille O’Neal’s Birthday

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) – Big Chicken in Hattiesburg is celebrating founder Shaquille O’Neal’s birthday with a special giveaway on Thursday, March 6. In honor of the former NBA star, the restaurant will offer customers a free ice cream cone while supplies last, with a limit of one cone per person and no purchase required.

Big Chicken, which opened in December, is located off Highway 98 between Aldi and Walmart. The initiative aims to attract customers to celebrate O’Neal’s birthday in a fun and inviting atmosphere.

“We wanted to do something special for Shaquille O’Neal and what better way than to treat our customers?” said the restaurant manager. “This promotion is a great way to get people into the store and enjoy a sweet treat.”

As the community looks forward to the celebration, Big Chicken has garnered attention not only for its unique origin but also for its commitment to engaging local residents. Since its opening, the restaurant has become a favorite spot for both families and basketball fans.

In another event in the city, Emily Gallaspy recently took over leadership at the Downtown Hattiesburg Association, where she presented the new DHA Roadmap Vision Plan to the Hattiesburg City Council on Monday. The plan is designed to spur business growth and enhance quality of life in the downtown area.

“This short but comprehensive plan will guide our efforts in improving downtown Hattiesburg,” Gallaspy said. “Our first step is to inform the public about our goals so we can start executing them effectively.”

Gallaspy’s 90-day plan emphasizes placemaking to foster a sense of community. “Creative placemaking is crucial. We’ll be integrating stakeholder input and enhancing communication to boost collaboration,” she noted.

Marlo Dorsey, an executive board member of the Downtown Hattiesburg Association, echoed Gallaspy’s sentiments. “This roadmap is the most thorough plan for downtown we have seen in over 15 years. It involved extensive surveys and insights from various experts,” Dorsey explained.

As Gallaspy embarks on this ambitious project, she believes building relationships and securing funding are vital for success. “In these first 90 days, my focus will be on meeting people and finding financial support for our creative projects,” she added. “It is certainly a considerable task, but I believe it is manageable.”

With Big Chicken’s ice cream celebration and the Downtown Hattiesburg Association’s revitalization efforts, the city is poised for an exciting season of community engagement and growth.