BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Organizers for the National Buffalo Wing Festival announced the event will not take place physically this year at Sahlen Field in Buffalo, but will be replaced by “America’s Greatest Chicken Wing Party” in more than 50 major cities across the United States.
Organizers say the event will take place in October as part of the newly created “National Chicken Wing Month,” and serve as a fundraiser for food banks in the participating cities.
"The Wingfest, which has been held every Labor Day weekend in Downtown Buffalo since 2002, will not physically take place this year at Sahlen Field out of an abundance of caution due to the COVID-19 pandemic," a release states. "Instead, festival organizers will coordinate with chicken wing fans and Buffalo expats from across the United States to host chicken wing parties in major U.S. cities that have a total population of more than 160 million people during October."
Festival organizers say the event will kick off October 4 with Buffalo Bills Backers Fan Clubs in each city hosting watch parties at their favorite bars and restaurants for the Bills vs. Raiders game.
"Throughout October, Americans are then encouraged to host their own wing eating gatherings as professional or college football watch parties at their favorite restaurants and bars or at their home and post their images to social media using the hashtag #wingparty2020. Every party that registers will be entered into a contest to attend the 2021 Wingfest as VIP judges. Attendees will be asked to put together some money and create a donation for their local Food Bank. All participants will be asked to adhere to the COVID-19 public health guidelines in place in their respective communities."
