Wingapalooza 2018 is back for the fourth straight year, taking place 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4 on the main floor of INTRUST Bank Arena in downtown Wichita. The arena and SMG host this all-you-can-eat wing fling that attracts as many as 2,000 attendees trying a smorgasbord of wings from some of our favorite Wichita restaurants while introducing new flavors and chefs.

Here are five things to know about this year’s Wingapalooza:

It’s all-you-can-eat wings

Participating restaurants and chefs are supplied with wings – more than 40,000 total – that they can season and cook in any manner to showcase their culinary skills. You’ll find saucy, dry, hot, sweet and flavors you never considered! You’ll receive a bottle of water with your wing tray when you enter, then you can walk booth-to-booth to try a variety of wings or settle on a favorite and eat until you’re full. There are vegetables and dipping sauces, too, and there’s also a beer garden, beverage concessions and an in-house DJ providing music.

Enjoy returning favorite vendors and new faces, too

Organizers are still working on signing up several new vendors this year, and as we publish this blog post we can confirm Chisholm’s American Beef and Ale House, the new restaurant at the DoubleTree by Hilton Wichita Airport, is participating for the first time. Among the other vendors: BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse, Pizza Hut Wingstreet, Rib Crib, River City Brewing Co., SAVOR… Wichita, Slim Chickens, The Keg Sports Bar and Grill, Twin Peaks (Westand East) and Wingstop.

Wingapalooza schedule

Doors open for regular ticket holders at 11 a.m. and the wing eating begins! The event ends at 3 p.m., and the presentation of the People’s Choice Award dubbed “Lord of the Wings” and a Judge’s Choice Award is at 2:15 p.m.

Buy tickets in advance to save money

Ticket prices are $20 in advance or $25 at the door; the event is capped at 2,000 attendees. Organizers recommend buying in advance online at selectaseat.com, by phone at 855-755-SEAT or in person at the Select-A-Seat Box Office at INTRUST Bank Arena. You can also buy a commemorative T-shirts in advance when you purchase online.

New VIP option available

If you want to get a 15-minute start on digging into the wings, there’s a new VIP ticket available this year. For $30, you get early entry and one drink ticket.

Plan now to attend Wingapalooza and discover the diverse flavors of Wichita restaurants and chefs!