 A cook at the Wapakoneta WingFest, left, prepares dozens of wings at the eighth annual event held Saturday at the American Legion Post 330. Staff photo/Matt Nichols By MATT NICHOLS
Staff Writer
Buckeye Boys BBQ owner Dave Sholler spent more than a year perfecting his original wing sauce.
Some might call it obsessive. Sholler says he chalks it all up to passion.
“Man, you’ve got have a passion for this,” Sholler said. “It’s a lot of hard work, so you’ve got to love what you’re doing.”
Sholler was one of eight vendors who faced off Saturday during the eighth annual Wapakoneta WingFest, held at the American Legion Post 330. The event, labeled “Northwest Ohio’s Original Wing Competition” raises money for the Dayton VA Medical Center.
Up against Sholler was Meyer’s Tavern, of Botkins, Dave’s BBQ, of St. Marys, Knights of Columbus, of Wapakoneta, Annie’s, of St. Marys, CJ’s Bar & Grill, of Wapakoneta, Woody’s Diner, of Wapakoneta, and Mother Clucker’s, of Bellevue
In the end it was Meyer’s Tavern who took the $600 prize for best wings. The Botkins establishment also led in number of WingFest appearances with seven. Taking the second-place $400 prize was the Knights of Columbus, and the $200 People’s Choice winner went to Dave’s BBQ.
A variety of different strategies were employed during Saturday’s event.
Sholler brought his critically acclaimed sauces to the competition, and some, like Annie’s, were in their first year of the wing business.
“We’re just experimenting right now,” Deb Carnes said. “We normally do funnel cakes and lemon shakeups, so this is new to us. We just mixed some stuff up and decided what we liked the best.”
Knights of Columbus’ Mike Sullivan said despite the monetary awards, the organization wasn’t looking at the day as a competitive event.
“We’re just happy to be here and bring a good product out,” Sullivan said. “It makes ourselves visible and it helps the cause, and really that’s what it’s all about.”
Sholler wouldn’t give the secret behind his sauces, but he did give a little insight to the process behind his award winning wings.
“We start out with a dry rub, then we smoke them and then finish them on the grill,” Sholler said. “That way you can still taste the seasoning, the smoke flavor and the sauce, and it all compliments itself well.”
An annual 12-team volleyball game kicked off the event on Saturday morning, and a poker run was held as patrons enjoyed their wings with college football games all day. The brotherly team of Scott and Brett Schneider took the 20-team Baggo tournament as well.
The event closed with a performance by the Wapakoneta-based music group, The Staples.
After the festivities were over, Chiles said despite a smaller turnout for the poker run, the eighth annual event was one for the books.
“It really was a good overall success, a little better than last year,” Chiles said. “It was an excellent day, and another solid turnout.”
Chiles said he has been impressed with the steady growth of the contest, both in attendance and in the money raised for the hospital.
During its eight years, the event has raised more than $50,000 for the VA Hospital, and Chiles said he’s proud to be a part of improving the lives of veterans.
“It’s a personal thing for me because these guys put their lives on the line, and this is some way we can give back to them,” Chiles said. “It’s a great way to show our support.”
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