The ultimate tailgate for a cause
Ask any Alabamian what makes the perfect fall Saturday, and the answer is likely to include one or all of the following: watching football, tailgating and enjoying savory chicken wings. Toss in an eating contest, a moonwalk, a variety of Magic City restaurants, craft brews and the opportunity to support a local charity, and the ultimate event of the season is born.
On Oct. 12, Homewood will host the fifth annual Kick’n Chick’n Wing Fest benefiting Birmingham-based charity Magic Moments.
“We have a much bigger group planning the fest this year,” event chair Taylor McGuire said. “Birmingham Museum of Flight is going to have a plane set out. Also, Jim ‘N Nick’s will be hosting a special VIP tent.”
Upon arrival, event attendees will be given vouchers to sample wings from local restaurants including Otey’s, Baumhower’s, Mellow Mushroom and Homewood Diner, which are all competing for the prestigious honor of the Thighsman Trophy. Additional honors include the Shake Your Tail Feather and Best Kick’n Hot Chick’n awards.
Beer will also be sold throughout the day with proceeds benefiting Magic Moments.
Community celebrities Birmingham Magazine Managing Editor Carla Jean Whitley, Senior Editor of Liquor.com Jason Horn and Birmingham News columnist Bob Carlton are among the judges selected for the restaurant wing contest.
The wing eating begins around the time college football kicks off and carries into the late afternoon. Big-screen televisions will broadcast SEC football coverage all day, and children can enjoy a bounce house, face painting and clowns.
For the second time in its history, the fest will include a wing-eating contest sponsored by Yuengling for 12 brave participants. Ten spots will be picked via random drawing and two spots will go to the highest bidders in a live auction. The person who eats the most wings in 5 minutes will receive a $250 gift card to Diamonds Direct and several gift cards from local restaurants participating in the fest.
“We had to make it where names were drawn out of a jar, or else you’d have thousands of people showing up wanting to be a part of this wing contest,” McGuire said.
The event will take place in the large parking lot directly behind Rosewood Hall. McGuire said organizers chose this new location to help traffic flow in the downtown Homewood area. That way surrounding merchants can stay open and receive business.
Magic Moments is a nonprofit organization that provides non-medical wishes to chronically ill children as well as camping opportunities at Children’s Harbor on Lake Martin. Developed by the Junior Board of Magic Moments in 2009, the wing fest has given more than 25 children across Alabama the opportunity to experience something special such as a trip to Disney World or meeting a celebrity.
The fest has become the charity’s signature event with this year expected to have the best turnout yet.
“Last year’s event was great. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky,” McGuire said. “The event has just gotten bigger and better each year.”
Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased at bhamwingfest.com or by calling 939-9372.
Kick’n Chick’n Wing Fest
Oct. 12
11 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
1850 29th Avenue, Homewood
bhamwingfest.com