It’s probably already written in bold red letters on your calendar (please imagine a winky-face emoji right about here), but National Fried Chicken Day is coming up on July 6. Yes, yes, there is such a thing.

Now that you’re aware of it, you may be wondering how to celebrate. Simple: Eat fried chicken. You could make it yourself (find a recipe here) or dine out.

Pickle fans may want to try KFC’s new pickle fried chicken – because everyone’s getting into the pickle thing this summer. The new pickle-sauce coated fried chicken, which also features onion and garlic flavors, buttermilk, and white and black pepper “to maximize that classic pickle flavor,” according to Louisville, Kentucky’s KTRK, will be available only for a limited time while supplies last. So pickle fans and fried-chicken adventure seekers may want to rush right out.

And vegetarians don’t have to feel left out of the fried-chicken festivities, either -- or, well, maybe this year, but not for long. KFC has announced that it is testing a vegetarian fried chicken that will use the same blend of secret spices used on its chicken in order to offer “the great taste of KFC to new and existing customers who are changing their dining habits," the fast-food chicken chain told FoodBeast.

The new meat-free fried chicken is part of a long-term KFC calorie-cutting health initiative, but alas, it will be available only in the U.K. and not until next year at that.

"Development of the recipe is still in its very early stages, and so the options we’re exploring in our kitchen are still top secret," KFC told FoodBeast. “Once we’ve perfected the recipe we aim to test with customers this year, and if all goes well, we hope to launch a new vegetarian option in 2019."

Alas, KFC has no current plans to introduce the meat-free fried chicken in the U.S. So vegetarians who want to go all for next National Fried Chicken Day may want to start planning their trip across the pond now – or launch a letter-writing campaign.

Photo: iStock