Wingfest is ready for its return to downtown Glens Falls. Plans are largely complete, and the Wingfest committee, part of the Glens Falls Collaborative business organization, held its final preparatory meeting on April 27.
Canceled twice during the pandemic, the celebration of hot chicken wings is set for Saturday, April 30. An opening ceremony celebrating the life of Mike “DeeJay” DuBray, a local DJ and friend to many in the Glens Falls area, begins at 11:30 at the gazebo in City Park, and the wings begin flying at 12 p.m., officials say.
Celebrity Judges:
The festival is a fun competition between area restaurants, all vying to win the best wing prize as judged by the audience and a panel of celebrity judges.
They include Olympic Speed Skater Bridie Farrell, Glens Falls Mayor Bill Collins, Glens Falls Councilor at-large Jim Clark Jr., News10’s Soloman Syed, and restaurateur Armand Vanderstigchel.
Vanderstigchel, of the Brasserie Benelux in Saratoga Springs, has literally written the book on chicken wings — “Chicken Wings Across America” — and is an ambassador for the National Buffalo Wing Festival, held annually in Buffalo, N.Y. He is a member of their Hall of Flame committee.
Awards Ceremony:
A ceremony at 3 p.m. will present awards for :
- People’s choice.
- Judge’s choice.
- Best rookie.
- Best visitor.
- Best meatless wing.
"Infernal Wing-Eating Contest":
A highlight of the fest will be the “infernal wing eating contest,” a hot-wing-eating competition. This is a nod to DuBray who died unexpectedly in January. He loved hot, hot food and had been a volunteer and leader of Wingfest since its inception in 2015.
At this posting, 10 people have signed up to survive a dozen wings. The contest starts at the “lower test” level Hellfire’s “Firey Fool.” That’s about 550,000 “scoville heat units,” says Nick Casey, an organizer. Then there will be three wings of Cajohn's “Get Bitten: Black Mamba Six” sauce. It averages 6 million scoville, Casey said.
The Beef Jerky Outlet in Lake George is providing the sauces. Davidson Brothers Brewery is providing the wings.
The winner gets bragging rights while the proceeds from the contest go toward scholarships in DuBray’s name to area schools.
Tickets:
- Tickets are required for participation in all elements of the event. One, $1 ticket per wing.
- Credit cards sales are online only through Friday April 29 [click here].
- Cash-only sales only on the day-of, officials said.
Restaurants:
- Birch Bark Eatery
- The KOKO Chariot
- Radici Kitchen & Bar
- Davidson Brothers Brewpub
- Fenimore's Pub
- Gourmet Cafe
- Downtown Social
- Morgan and Company
- Juicin' Jar
- Bullpen
The official “This Clucker is HOT” tee-shirts will be available at 42 Degrees at 206 Glen St.
Representatives from the state comptroller’s office are coming, offering information about unclaimed funds. People can swing by their table, give some information about themselves and find out if the state is sitting on their money that has been unclaimed.
Retail sales, music, bounce house, face painting and model trains will round out the activities on the day.
Street Closures from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.:
- Maple Street between Ridge and Bay streets.
- Glen Street between the Centennial Circle and Bay Street.
Editor's note: FoothillsBusinessDaily.com's publisher, Steve Thurston, is a member of the Glens Falls Collaborative and has volunteered on the Wingfest Committee.