The King of the Wing Festival is celebrating a major milestone as it returns for its 15th anniversary weekend, bringing together the best in food, culture, music, arts, and entertainment to Magens Bay and downtown St. Thomas Friday through Sunday.
This year’s theme, “Come for the Wings, Stay for the Culture,” promises a weekend showcasing the vibrant spirit of the Virgin Islands while supporting a great cause, the Coral Reef Academy, according to a press release announcing the weekend’s lineup. The Coral Reef Academy provides educational opportunities for children with autism and other developmental challenges.
Opening Reception Kicks Off the Celebration
The festivities begin on Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. with the King of the Wing Opening Reception at Palm Passage in downtown Charlotte Amalie. Sponsored by Crystal Blue Operations, the reception will provide guests with an opportunity to meet competitors, sponsors, judges, and festival supporters while enjoying food, drinks, and entertainment in a relaxed atmosphere.
Tickets are available now at https://shorturl.at/KkP4a.
The Main Event: 15th Annual King of the Wing Festival
The excitement continues at Magens Bay on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the 15th annual King of the Wing Contest, where teams from across the Virgin Islands will compete for wing supremacy and festival bragging rights.
Festival attendees can enjoy:
- Wing tastings from competing teams
- Live local music and entertainment
- Arts and crafts vendors
- Family-friendly games and activities
- Cultural demonstrations and performances
- Food vendors and local businesses
- VIP experiences and exclusive festival perks
VIP Tickets are available at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1988790642348?aff=oddtdtcreator
Free Shuttle Service Available
To make transportation easier, organizers are encouraging attendees to take advantage of the free shuttle service from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., sponsored by Drive Green VI and Keswick Insurance.
Shuttles will operate from:
- Tutu Park Mall
- Fort Christian Parking Lot
Because parking at the festival venue is limited and closes after 9:30 a.m., attendees are strongly encouraged to use the complimentary shuttle service.
Weekend Finale: Shama Challenge Live
The celebration concludes on Sunday from 7 to 10 p.m. with an evening of live performances and competitions presented by the team behind the Shama Challenge App in partnership with ElevateWi.
Hosted at the ElevateWi Studios in Charlotte Amalie West, artists will compete head-to-head in a live creative showcase, with audience members determining the winners. The event highlights the growing influence of the Shama Challenge platform, which gives artists opportunities to compete, collaborate, and challenge one another through music and creative expression, according to the release.
Tickets are available at: https://shamachallenge.eventbrite.com
Attendees are also encouraged to download the Shama Challenge App to join the movement and connect with artists from around the world.
Celebrating 15 Years
For 15 years, the King of the Wing Festival has grown into one of the Virgin Islands’ premier community events, attracting thousands of residents and visitors while showcasing local businesses, culinary talent, and cultural traditions, the press release stated.
“The 15th anniversary celebration promises to be the biggest and most exciting festival yet, featuring more local music, more local arts and crafts, more cultural activities, and more opportunities for the community to come together,” it said.
For information email kingofthewingvi@gmail.com, visit www.kowvi.com and follow them on Facebook, TikTok & Instagram (@kowvi).
