National Buffalo Wing Festival ready for 23rd year, showcasing sizzling lineup of 63 new wing sauces

Press Release

The National Buffalo Wing Festival, presented by Empower Federal Credit Union, returns with a hotter-than-ever celebration of America's favorite finger food! Taking place at Highmark Stadium this Labor Day weekend (Aug. 31 and Sept. 1), this year's festival celebrates the 60th anniversary of the “Buffalo wing” and promises a weekend full of flavor, fun, and festivities for wing enthusiasts from coast to coast.

Since its inception in 2002 by Buffalo's own Drew Cerza, also known as the "Wing King," the festival has grown into a national phenomenon, attracting thousands of visitors annually. The 23rd annual Wingfest plans an exciting lineup of activities, contests, and, of course, mouth-watering wings from some of the best vendors in the country. Last year, more than 23,000 people attended from 46 different states and 26 countries.

New this year

•New wing flavors: Participating restaurants are challenged every year to create tantalizing new wing flavors as they compete for national awards. This year, 63 new wing recipes will be featured. Some new flavors include maple bacon jalapeno, French toast, Cajun rum butter, whiskey apple bourbon, hot dill pickle, Hawaiian barbecue, pineapple rum, garlic alfredo, smoked bourbon and spicy loganberry.

•People’s Choice Award: Since it is election year, the festival has decided to let attendees vote on their favorite wing at the festival through a QR code. Other voting will include great ongoing issues like ranch vs. blue cheese, drums vs. flats and dipping vs. non-dipping.

•New festival layout: Festivalgoers will still have access to the field to hang out and take pictures, however, all the action and food will be held on the main concourse inside the stadium. This will allow attendees to navigate the entire festival footprint much easier.

Back again this year

•Over 100 styles of wings: Experience the culinary prowess from 19 of the top wing eateries from across the nation, each offering unique wing sauces.

•VIP craft beer fundraiser: Back for the second year, attendees can purchase a VIP ticket for Saturday and experience the festival in style. Included in the ticket is admission to the festival, chicken wings, local craft beer tastings, a souvenir plate and cup. Hope Rises and the Bills Mafia Babes charities are the beneficiaries.

•Crazy contests: Back again this year are the “Wing It On!” U.S. Chicken Wing Eating Championship and “Buffalo Buffet Bowl” for professional eaters from Major League Eating. Amateurs will also be able to compete in a hot wing eating or Buffalo wing eating contest. Bobbing for wings in a kiddie pool filled with blue cheese, and a baby wing costume pageant and cooking contests are all returning as festival favorites.

•Live music and entertainment: Festivalgoers can enjoy performances by top local bands, and interactive entertainment suitable for all ages.

•Charity fundraisers: Participate in various activities at the festival designed to raise funds for local charities and organizations. Over the past 22 years, more than $470,000 has been donated back to the community by the Wingfest. In 2024, FeedMore WNY and the Alzheimer’s Association of WNY are the main recipients.

"This year, we are turning up the heat and bringing even more excitement to the National Buffalo Wing Festival as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Buffalo wing,” Cerza said. “Our goal is to create a memorable experience for every attendee, celebrating the love for wings while supporting our community. We have an outstanding lineup of vendors, entertainment and activities that will make this year's festival unforgettable.”

General admission tickets are $20, while VIP tickets are $75. Kids ages 8 and under are admitted free. Tickets are available at the gate and online at www.buffalowing.com.

Parking is free.

Wingfest will be held from noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, and from noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1, at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park. For more information, visit www.BuffaloWing.com.