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The annual Wing Fling Festival drew hundreds of visitors to downtown Middlesboro on Saturday. (Photos by Jay Compton)

Middlesboro’s Finest, the team from the Middlesboro Police Department, was the overall first place winner as well as the Fan Favorite winner. They received a $2,500 cash prize as well as free entry into next year’s Wing Fling.

Clear Fork BBQ placed second overall at the Wing Fling. They received a $1,500 prize from Main Street chairman Bo Green and a trophy from Main Street Director Celia Shoffner.

Smokey and the Banditos placed third overall at the Wing Fling. They received a $1,000 prize and a trophy.

Shawn Frost from the Wing Slingers uses an extra large spatula to turn the wings.

A young family enjoys trying out the wings during Saturday’s Wing Fling in downtown Middlesboro.

Colby Lawson, a freshman on the MHS football team, was among those having a good time during the Wing Fling.

Members of Smokey and the Banditos load a tray of wings into their smoker.

Middlesboro ARH CEO Michael Slusher brings out some freshly sauced wings to be served at his team’s station.

Manning the grill for Redmond’s Rooster.

The Redmond’s Roosters tent collects a ticket from a Wing Fling attendee in exchange for a sampling of the team’s wings.

Wing Fling committee chair Kristin Byers announces the winners of this year’s festival.

Middlesboro Main Street Board chair Bo Green thanked everyone in attendance for their work in making this year’s Wing Fling possible.

The annual Wing Fling Festival was held last Saturday in downtown Middlesboro and drew hundreds of visitors who were able to sample wings from 11 different teams competing for cash prizes.

The event is put on each year by Middlesboro Main Street with help from their primary sponsors Bell County Tourism, Hearthside Bank and Smithfield.

Bo Green, chairman of Middlesboro Main Street Board, thanked everyone for making this year’s Wing Fling a success.

“On behalf of our board and the Wing Fling Committee, I would like to thank each and every one of you for attending this year. We also want to thank our sponsors and each of our teams. We know it’s a lot of work to come out here early in the morning, set up and then cook as many wings as you all have cooked today,” he said. “We also want to thank our street department for all of the work they have done and will do to shut the street down and help with the trash and organization. The Middlesboro Police Department has helped with traffic control, the Middlesboro boys home helped gather trash, direct people and deliver the wings. We also want to thank J.R. Hoe’s for donating our lovely trophies as well as all of our Main Street volunteers that sold tickets and manned the drink tent. Also, my committee, the hours we’ve all put in meeting and planning and all of these folks that put in a lot of work leading up to this — We want to thank all of them.”

Kristin Byers, Wing Fling Committee chair, said she appreciated everyone for coming out on Saturday, especially after the event was pushed back from September 28 due to storms from Hurricane Helene.

“A huge thank you to our teams for accommodating the change. It was a last minute decision but I think we made the right call based on this weather today,” she said.

Byers then announced the winners with Main Street Director Celia Shoffner handing out trophies and Green presenting checks to the winners.

Middlesboro’s Finest, the Middlesboro Police Department team, was the choice for Fan Favorite as voted on by those attending the Wing Fling. In addition to a trophy, they receive free entry into next year’s festival.

Judges selected the top three wing makers at the event.

Third place went to Smokey and the Banditos. They received a trophy and $1,000.

Second place went to the two person team of Clear Fork BBQ. They received a trophy and $1,500.

First place overall also went to the Middlesboro Police Department. They received a trophy and $2,500.

Other teams competing this year included: The 606, Jessie Moberg for Commonwealth’s Attorney, Just Wing It!, Middlesboro ARH Hospital, Redmond’s Roosters, Smokin’ Butts BBQ, Wing Slingers and Wings of Fury.

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