Competition heats up at first annual Wingapalooza fundraiser

LA CROSSE (WKBT) -- Competition was hot at the first annual Wingapalooza on Sunday.

Wingapalooza is chicken wing cook off competition hosted by Black Leaders Acquiring Collective Knowledge.

BLACK is a nonprofit that works to uplift and empower the Greater La Crosse Region black community.

The competition took place at the Radisson Center Ballroom. Nine local food vendors participated in the event. The contest was judged by attendees who received three votes each.

More than 300 people were expected to attend the event. For organization leaders, the community support was the best part.

"I get to try a bunch of different wings, but also that the community is coming out to support us and our fundraising efforts to continue to do great work that we're doing in the community," said BLACK director and co-founder Shaundel Washington-Spivey.

The competitions winner will receive a trophy and a $2,000 grand prize.

Proceeds from the event go to supporting BLACK. Washington-Spivey hopes to see a bigger crowd and more vendors at next year's fundraiser.

​COPYRIGHT 2024 BY NEWS 8 NOW/NEWS 8000. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.