Supporters of United Way of Harrison County are gearing up for one hot contest and bragging rights to last an entire year.

 

The Seventh Annual Hot Wing Eating Contest is set for 7 p.m. Wed., Jan. 24 at Buffalo Wild Wings in Charles Pointe. Those who think they can take the heat can sign up for one of four categories of competition: The Women’s Division; Men’s Division; Non-Profit Division and Most Wings Eaten. Trophies will be awarded to contestant or contestants who raise the most money by the number of wings consumed in eight minutes and the contestant or contestants who eat the most wings in eight minutes. Registration is $15 per competitor.

 

In recent years, competitors have eaten as many as 40 wings during the eight-minute time period and through monetary sponsorships, have raised upwards of $25,000.

 

The 2016 contest brought out 19 participants and raised over $30,000 for United Way. In 2017, 25 contestants raised $43,290 toward the organization’s fundraising goal of $850,000. Single-handedly raising $25,300 was Josh Wyckoff, who was awarded the fundraising trophy. In the men’s division, Jim Wilson took the honors for the second consecutive year. He ate 31 wings. Loriana Lafferty ate 14, taking first place in the debut of the women’s division.

 

United Way of Harrison County Executive Director Tina Kopp said the Hot Wing Eating Contest has come a long way since its 2011 inception and has become one of the organization’s biggest events. During the debut year, there was only one contestant, Reuben Perdue, and $1,000 was raised.

 

Participants can sign up for the contest HERE at the United Way of Harrison County Web site, where member agencies are listed.

 

Photo of last year's United Way of Harrison County Wing Eating Contest was taken by Tyler Vincent of Ben Queen Photography.