Hungry for 8K pounds of chicken wings? Here’s your guide to Wingfest 2023 in Hilton Head
Hilton Head Island’s annual Wingfest is this Saturday at the Lowcountry Celebration Park, located at 94 Pope Avenue adjacent to Coligny Plaza, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Shuttling from extended parking for this event will take place throughout the duration of the event until 5:30 p.m. from the USCB - Hilton Head Campus, found at 1 Sand Shark Drive.
This year’s Wingfest event will highlight 26 different vendors and restaurants, which will be featuring their best wings. On Saturday, 8,000 lbs of fresh chicken wings will be served throughout the celebration, according to Joe Cain, the Special Event Director for the Island Rec Center.
Cain said he looks forward to wearing his big, orange chicken wing hat each year and noted that even festival goers get in on the fun and love the festive headgear, often asking to take photographs with it.
At Saturday’s event, try and see if you can spot it!
This is the 26th annual Wingfest. It restarted last year on its 25th anniversary after taking a two year hiatus during 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The judges’ first place winner last year, One Hot Mama’s, and the “people’s choice” first place winner Coconutz will both be at the Saturday event again this year.
In addition to the culinary feast, there will be live bands and kid-friendly activities such as a kid’s zone, rock climbing wall, bungee jump, and a kid’s wing bobbing competition.
Don’t worry grownups, there will also be an adult wing eating contest.
Admission will be $10 per person and children under age 11 will be granted free admittance. However, pets are not permitted and all food, beverages and activities will be sold separately.
Once inside the festival, tickets can be purchased from a ticket tent that will be located in the center of the park. These tickets will be for food, drinks, merchandise and family fun activities all at the cost of $1 per ticket.
All proceeds from this event will go to benefit the Island Recreation Center’s Children’s Scholarship Fund.
Attendees should note that the people’s choice competition for their opinion on which restaurant serves the best wings will end at 4 p.m., and the winners will be crowned shortly thereafter.
