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Why ostriches? This history of the big flightless birds in Chandler

The city of Chandler will be holding its annual Ostrich Festival this weekend. It’s a big event featuring rides, live music headliners and more. But why ostriches? 

Turns out, while ostriches are not native to Arizona, they go a long way back in Chandler to pre-statehood days when ostrich feathers on ladies hats were all the rage and Dr. Alexander J. Chandler had a herd of the exotic birds on his land. 

The Show caught up with Chandler Museum’s Jody Crago to learn more.

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Lauren Gilger, host of KJZZ's The Show, is an award-winning journalist whose work has impacted communities large and small, exposing injustices and giving a voice to the voiceless and marginalized.