NEW BETHLEHEM, Pa. (EYT) — More than a dozen restaurants from New Bethlehem to DuBois will descend upon Zack’s in New Bethlehem Monday night for the first annual Western Pennsylvania Wing Competition.
Zack Blose told exploreClarion.com that this wing competition has always been something that he has wanted to have at the restaurant, but he just didn’t exactly know where to start.
Insert a couple hopeful politicians, and voila.
Austin Blose explained that Zack’s was planning to have a meet and greet with Conrad Warner and Susan Boser. Warner, a teacher at Keystone High school, is running for Pennsylvania’s House in the 63rd district, while Boser is running for the United States Congress in Pennsylvania’s 15th District.
Blose explained that while planning the meet and greet, the focus changed because of a recommendation from Conrad’s team.
“Braxton White, Conrad’s right-hand man, and I were meeting to discuss some details about the event, and he had the idea of shifting the focus of the event. He said we should make it a community event.”
Blose went on the explain that Zack’s elected to create their long-awaited wing night as a benefit for Cassie Westover and her family. Westover is a Redbank Valley High School junior who was recently diagnosed with esthesioneuroblastoma, a rare cancer of the nasal cavity.
As far as the competition goes, Zack’s (New Bethlehem), The Snug Harbour (Fairmount City), The Moose (New Bethlehem), Daddy’s (Clarion), Toby Hill Bar & Grill (Clarion), Sweet Basil (Shippenville), Fat Kids Sports Bar (DuBois), Dirty Erhma’s (Brookville), Smicksburg Smokehouse (Dayton), Blackbull Saloon (Dayton), Stone House (Punxsutawney), Oak Wood Tavern (Kittanning), and Super Sub and Six Pack (DuBois) will compete for best wings in five different categories. A carefully constructed panel of judges which includes Boser, Warner, Westover, media outlets, and the mayor of Clarion, will award trophies for Best Wings, Best BBQ, Best Buffalo, Best Dry Rub, and Most Unique.
There will also be a “People’s Choice Award” that is chosen by those who attend the event. For $10.00, wing lovers can purchase a ticket for the event. The $10.00 ticket will allow unlimited taste tests of wings, drinks, and will also allow individuals to vote for each wing on a scale from 1-10. In addition to the wings and beverages, the ticket also includes free beer samples.
The Western Pennsylvania Wing Competition will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, October 8, at Zack’s located at 301 Wood Street, New Bethlehem. The public is encouraged to attend for the previously mentioned $10.00/person. It is also a BYOB event.
