The Seahawk

Issue date: 3/17/10 Section: Lifestyles

Media Credit: Courtesy of Wing Fling Staff This year's Wing Fling will be held March 20th at Battleship Park

The 14-year-old tradition began with families, children and groups of all ages coming together to hear music, eat wings, and welcome the spring season. In recent years, however, the one-day event known as Wing Fling has been celebrated mostly by college students. In 2010, organizers will implement some major changes in order to save the tradition.

Wing Fling has been held at Hugh MacRae Park in the past. Booths are set up for local restaurants to compete for the best wing, local bands play on the outdoor stage, and the beer flows. This year, Wing Fling 2010 (dubbed "Battle of the Wings") is occurring on March 20. It will be held at a new location, Battleship Park, and will no longer permit the practice of "BYOB," or bring your own beer.

According to Dr. Lynnea Mallalieu, an executive organizer, in 2007 Wing Fling turned out to be "the perfect storm." This was due in part to the beautiful weather, students' ability to communicate instantly via text message, and the promotion of the event by the two sponsoring radio stations, Surf 98.3 and Z 107.5.

"It was out of control," said Mallalieu. "There was no fencing in 2007, and when 8,000 people turned out, 3,000 more people than they had tickets available for, the organizers eventually let the 'bedlam' loose with their megaphones."

In 2008, "the word was out," said Mallalieu, who has been involved with the planning and organization of Wing Fling for seven years.

This year the change in location was brought about after the New Hanover County Parks Department passed an ordinance that no longer allows the hosting of large events like Wing Fling on county park property. This also means a change in location for Wilmington's Annual Chili Cook-off, and the Lighthouse Beer and Wine Festival.

According to Mallalieu, Legion Stadium was proposed as a new location but the City of Wilmington would claim 80 percent of profits, leaving only 20 percent to the charities.

"I didn't feel that was fair," said Mallalieu. Battleship Park was eventually decided on.

The no BYOB policy was put into effect per Wing Fling's executive corporate sponsor, Budweiser. Budweiser's slogan, "Responsibility Matters," has been curtailed in previous years, and the brand indicated it could not continue to support excessive drinking, according to Mallalieu. Now tickets will be sold for Budweiser and Bud Lights at $2 a ticket.

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