Michigan Chicken Wing Festival

Bring a hearty appetite to the Michigan Chicken Wing Festival, running 2 to 9 p.m. Saturday (Sept. 2) and Sunday (Sept. 3) at Adado Riverfront Park.

Food vendors will sell a variety of wings, ranging from a mild spice level to off-the-charts heat. The festival will also include a main stage with musical acts and other live entertainment, a kids’ zone with inflatables, a game trailer, giveaways, a VIP beer-and-wine tent, a people’s choice vendor contest where attendees can vote for the best wings of the weekend and more.

On Saturday, the main stage entertainment kicks off with an open mic, followed by professional wrestling, DJ sets and performances by Chrissii Key, LaTasha Shemwell & the No Limit Band and Al’Exist. On Sunday, the main stage entertainment begins with professional wrestling, followed by an open mic and performances by the Split Shifters, the Darin Larner Band and Herb McGowan. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets.
There will also be wing-eating contests for ages 18 and up 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday on the main stage. The winners will receive a trophy and a cash prize. The entry fee is $25, and space is limited to 10 contestants each day.

General admission tickets are $5 before 4 p.m. and $15 after 4 p.m. at the gate. Kids 14 and under can enter for free with a paying adult. Cancer survivors, military members and seniors ages 65 and older can also enter for free. Wing sampling tickets will be available for purchase.

General VIP tickets are $45 for ages 21 and up and include tokens for 12 wing samples, two drink tokens for alcoholic beverages, five drink tickets for nonalcoholic drinks, early entry, a giveaway drawing ticket and access to the VIP tent and the VIP area near the stage. VIP beer-and-wine tickets are $55 for ages 21 and up and include, on top of the other VIP perks, six additional drink tokens for alcoholic beverages and access to premium beverages. VIP tickets must be purchased at michiganchickenwingfestival.com prior to the event.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Against All Odds Foundation, which operates a free retail store in the Lansing Mall for underserved communities and supports cancer survivors with needs including groceries, prescription medication co-payments and transportation to medical appointments.