Staff photos.
A team member cooks up a favorite wing recipe during last year’s Wing Ding event.
Tasty wings, good music and family fun have been hallmarks of Wing Ding since 2011, but this year, Vestavia Hills’ annual event marks its fifth anniversary at a new location.
The event, formerly hosted at Vestavia Hills City Center, will be Saturday, June 4, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Vestavia Hills City Hall. Admission is $5, and children 8 and younger are free.
“This year we are excited to host the event at the new City Hall,” said Lilla Hood, 2016 Wing Ding co-chairwoman. “It should be a fabulous new location. It has the amphitheater where our musical acts will perform. Also, the huge green space in the middle will be a great place for families to put out blankets and chairs and enjoy the music and wings.”
Once again, Hood said, Wing Ding’s headlining musical act will be Rollin’ in the Hay.
“They are the perfect band for all ages, and everyone always enjoys their music,” she said. “We plan to have a local acoustic act open the event before Rollin’ in the Hay hits the stage.”
And what is Wing Ding without wings?
“Since it’s a wing competition, there are all flavors of wings, and these competitors take wing cooking seriously,” Hood said. “Some try to make hot wings, but there are all kinds to choose from. Some are grilled. Some are fried. Some are spicy. Some are barbecued.”
Last year, first place in the competition went to Principal Mortgage, followed by second-place winner Pinnacle Bank and third-place winner John Henley State Farm. Anesthesia Services of Birmingham rounded out the winners with the People’s Choice award.
“There is a lot of talk between the competitors on who cooks the best wings and will go home with the coveted chicken trophy,” Hood said.
Wing Ding began in 2011 as a class project for Leadership Vestavia Hills, Hood said. In addition to being a wing competition, it is also raises funds for a local charity.
“Last year, the event raised $6,924 for the Alabama chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation,” Hood said. “A small amount of the money was also given to Youth Leadership Vestavia Hills at Vestavia Hills High School.”
Every year, the event adds more teams, which translates into more money raised, Hood said.
“In 2015, we had 17 teams, which is the largest we’ve had,” she said. “Also, more people attended the event than in years past.”
More than 2,500 people attended the event last year, Hood said.
And Wing Ding is not just for adults, she added. There is a children’s area with bounce houses and other activities.
“In the past, there has been someone making balloon animals for the kids,” Hood said. “Wing Ding is a family-friendly event.”
This year, Alagasco is the event’s title sponsor, and Regions and Moore’s Marinade are presenting sponsors.
“There is still time to sign up as a sponsor and have a booth,” Hood said. “Anyone interested in volunteering can also contact me directly.”
Wing Ding is an event centered around the Vestavia community, she said.
“This is a great, family-friendly event,” Hood said. “It’s a great time to come see your friends and neighbors and enjoy some fantastic wings.”
To become a sponsor, visit Leadership Vestavia Hills website at leadershipvestaviahills.com. For more information on volunteering, contact Lilla Hood at hoodcreate@me.com.
