BROOKINGS – Chow down and drink up. It’s time to celebrate the best of summer at the annual Wing & Brew Fest, held from noon-8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, on the front lawn of the Swiftel Center in Brookings.
Try delicious chicken wings from local and regional vendors. This year’s wing vendors include: Cubby’s Sports Bar & Grill, The Lodge, The Ridge (Bruce) and Whiskey Creek.
Sip on samples from a variety of regional craft breweries. Brew vendors include: A Homestead Brew (Valley Springs), Ben’s Brewing Co. (Yankton), Dempsey’s (Watertown), Eponymous Brewing Co., Wooden Legs Brewing Co. and Johnson Brothers (Sioux Falls).
Jam out to live music all day. Chris Champion will kick off the festival starting at noon. Champion will perform a variety of music, accompanying himself on acoustic guitar.
Brookings Radio will host the annual Karaoke Contest starting at 1 p.m. Bad Hamster band will take the stage at 3:30 p.m.; the band will perform a variety of classic rock, pop and alternative mix.
Watch the wing vendors go head-to-head in a blind taste test competition to compete for best mild wing, BBQ wing and hot wing. See the brew vendors battle it out for the best overall brew. Cast your vote for your favorite wing flavor from each vendor and your favorite brew flavor from each vendor.
Other activities include free inflatables games in the Kids Zone sponsored by First Bank & Trust. Tournaments will be played throughout the day including: the Swiftel Center Co-Ed Sand Volleyball Tournament, Tehlula Lee Bean Bag Tournament, and the Brookings Regional Humane Society Kickball Tournament.
The final event of the day is the infamous Wing Eating Contest; sign up for attendees will be at the ticket booth and will be a first-come, first-serve basis.
Admission, tickets
General admission is $8. Kids 12 and younger are free with paid adult admission. Take advantage of savings at the gate by purchasing a Wing & Brew Master package for $15, which includes one general admission ticket plus 10 sampling tickets.
Attendees must purchase tickets to sample wings and brews. All wing and brew vendor booths accept tickets only. Tickets are available for purchase at the Wing & Brew Fest ticket booth.
Each wing vendor sets sampling prices. Most offer specials such as two wings for three tickets. Brew vendor pricing is as follows: one ticket for one three-ounce sample; five tickets for one 16-ounce pour.
2018 schedule
• Noon: Festival opens – all vendors and inflatables open; volleyball, bean bag and kickball tournaments start; live music with Chris Champion
• 1 p.m.: Karaoke Contest
• 2 p.m.: Battle of the Wings – Mild Contest
• 3 p.m.: Battle of the Brews Contest
• 3:30 p.m.: Live music from Bad Hamster
• 4:30 p.m.: Battle of the Wings – BBQ Contest
• 6:30 p.m.: Battle of the Wings – Hot Contest
• 6:45 p.m.: Last call for People’s Choice voting
• 7:30 p.m.: Wing Eating Contest
• 7:45 p.m.: Announce People’s Choice awards
• 8 p.m.: Festival ends
Sign up
For more information, visit www.swiftelcenter.com/WBF and follow the Swiftel Center on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
To register for the Swiftel Center Co-Ed Sand Volleyball Tournament, contact Molly Nagelhout at 692-7539 or mnagelhout@swiftelcenter.com.
To register for the Tehlula Lee Bean Bag Tournament, contact Marj Thompson at 605-222-9839 or Jack Thompson at 605-359-8722.
To register for the Brookings Regional Humane Society Kickball Tournament, contact Ashley Biggar at 692-7539 or abiggar@swiftelcenter.com.
Register file photo
