Wing Ding helps fight cerebral palsy

The 21st annual Wing Ding fundraiser for United Cerebral Palsy Heartland adult day services will take place from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the Jefferson City Jaycees Fairgrounds.

The event had been scheduled at The Millbottom but was relocated due to rain in the forecast.

Each year the event benefits UCP Heartland's Gibbs Center for Independence, which offers services for adults with developmental disabilities.

The event invites local restaurants to donate their time and chicken wings to serve to attendees and a panel of celebrity judges who take part in a blind taste test.

Categories for the taste test include Best Traditional Hot Wing, Best Specialty Wing and Best Dry Rubbed Wings, according to a news release. The top prize - the People's Choice Award - is collectively determined by event attendees.

General admission tickets cost $25 at the door and include two drinks and all-you-can-eat wings. Children under age 10 may enter for free.

Participating restaurants include Bandana's Bar-B-Q, Champs Chicken, Convenient Food Mart, Ecco Lounge, Hy-Vee, J. Pfenny's Sports Grill & Pub, Lutz's BBQ, Primrose Retirement, Ria's Restaurant and Lounge, Sawaddee Thai Cuisine, The Blue Skillet, Twin Bridges and West Main Pizza.

Celebrity judges include Mayor Carrie Tergin, Amy Berendzen of Jefferson City Public Schools, David Baker of The Dave Baker Band, Daniel Rittenhouse and Steven Lothen of Morris Converting, Erin & Matt of 94.3 KAT Country, Jason Otke of Otke Construction, Jason Turner of the Jefferson City Fire Department, Quinten Rice of Avenue HQ, Nathan Hays of Jefferson City Autoplex, Nathan Suttenfield of Central Connecitons, Tami Turner of Jefferson City Magazine, and Zach Paul from KRCG 13.

The Jefferson City event started in the early 1990s at Madison's Cafe, eventually growing to larger venues including the VFW Post, Jefferson City Jaycees Fairgrounds and now The Millbottom.

For more information, contact Kathleen Beach at 636-779-2299 or [email protected], or visit wingding2017.com.