LAKE OF THE OZARKS, Mo. — Mark your calendars! WingFest is returning this fall with a new location and another evening of great food, friendly competition, and community giving.
The annual event will be held Wednesday, Sept. 16, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Level5, next to Backwater Jack's.
WingFest drew nearly 900 attendees in 2025, with 14 Lake-area restaurants competing for the coveted title of "Best Wings at the Lake."
Organized by Central Bank of Lake of the Ozarks in partnership with the Lake Ozark Rotary Noon Club, the event traces its roots back to 2000, when it began as the "Wing Ding." It was renamed WingFest in 2017 and has continued raising money for local charities and scholarships ever since.
After five years at Regalia, organizers are excited about the move to Level5.
"We are so excited to be holding WingFest at Level5 this year," Lake Ozark Rotary Noon Club President Wendy Rudd said. "The centralized location, improved parking, along with a spacious layout and fantastic stage and PA system, sets up to be the best WingFest to date."
Last year's competition saw Franky & Louie's take home the title of Best Wings at the Lake, while The Encore Lakeside Grill earned second place and Pappo's Pizzeria & Pub finished third. The Encore also won the People's Choice Award, and Pappo's received Best Presentation honors.
"Our team loves participating in WingFest and always sets our sights on winning 'Best Wings at the Lake,'" said Christopher Galloway, owner of Pappo's Pizzeria & Pub. "But win or lose, more importantly, Pappo's is proud to support our community and grateful so many local charitable organizations benefit from this event."
Thanks to participating restaurants, sponsors, ticket sales, merchandise, raffle proceeds, and donations, last year's event raised more than $23,000 for the Lake community.
Proceeds are shared between Central Bank of Lake of the Ozarks and the Lake Ozark Rotary Noon Club, with both organizations distributing funds to local charities and scholarships for Lake-area students. Last year, the Rotary donated half of its proceeds to the Firefighters Benevolent Association of Osage Beach, while Central Bank directed its portion to the Community Foundation of the Lake.
"We are very proud to partner with the Lake Ozark Rotary Club on this iconic, fun event that gives back so much to our community charitable organizations and provides numerous scholarships to Lake-area students," said Jim Judas, President and CEO of Central Bank of Lake of the Ozarks and a Rotarian.
This year's participating restaurants include HalfSauced BBQ, Twisted Tony's, Tucker's Shuckers, Redhead Lakeside Grill, Paradise, Horseshoe Bend Bar & Grill, Pappo's Pizzeria & Pub, The Encore Lakeside Grill, Bandana's, Franky & Louie's, Shorty Pants, Full Throttle Sports Bar & Grill, and Neon Taco.
Major sponsors include Central Bank/Central Trust, Lake Ozark Rotary Noon Club, Dierbergs Lakeview Pointe, and Bell & Evans, with additional support from Missouri Eagle, Breakthru Beverage, Grellner Sales, Fechtel Beverage, Lake Media, LO Profile, Pepsi, Lake Printing, Smart Printing Centers, Mix 92.7, and Ron Dodge Real Estate Group.
Tickets are available at all Central Bank of Lake of the Ozarks locations. For more information, visit the WingFest Facebook page.
