"[The event] increases our exposure and gets our name in print," Dubois said. "[It] is definitely an advertising tool."
Duffy's Tavern, of Boalsburg, was last year's champion. Chuck Hacker, Duffy's general manager, said he is looking forward to the event. Many of the restaurant's regulars are passionate about their wings, he said, and will attend the festival to show their support.
"It's good exposure; the locals will come up to defend their turf," Hacker said. "And the cooks have a good time." DuBois agreed that a change of scenery is nice for restaurant employees.
"It's fun for the staff to get out of the restaurant," he said. "It'll be a good time."
Tussey General Manager Dave Fahrenbach said he expects about 4,000 guests each week.
"It's a fun, big all-age event [with] inexpensive wings and usually two bands per evening," he said. Admission is free, and attendees are part of the voting process.
Even if Duffy's loses the challenge, Hacker said, "We'll have the spirit to do better next year. [The cooks] will revamp their recipes."
There will be a wide variety of local bands on hand to boost spirits through the challenge and this year's competition will kick off with Cliff Turner & the Afterburners and the Nightcrawlers.
The event is sponsored by Coors and 105.9 The Buzz. The Buzz's Chris and Jim will broadcast live each Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. The two have been affiliated with the event for many years, and this year's festivities will include a wing-eating contest between the radio personalities and members of the local media. The radio station will also feature its own wing challenge that will give listeners the opportunity to participate each week. Details will be given on The Buzz's morning show.
Local residents, families and college students usually make up the crowd for the popular event, said Diana Albright, general manager of Magnum Broadcasting, which owns the Buzz and 106.9 WZYY in State College.
"It attracts a wide variety of people, young and old," she said. "It really is a lot of fun."
