WACO Wingfest returns to Schaumburg July 30

Enjoy some tasty chicken wings for a good cause this Sunday, July 30, in Schaumburg as my fellow judges and I determine this year's "Best of the 'Burbs" winner from among 16 area restaurants at the Woodfield Area Children's Organization's 17th Annual Wingfest & Bags Tournament.

The event will be held at Drink, 871 E. Algonquin Road.

Regular admission for this adults-only event is $35 and includes two beverages and unlimited wings. Tickets can be purchased in advance at waco4kids.thundertix.com/events/101045.

Wingfest includes eating contests, a bags tournament, raffle prizes and live music by the Big Richards.

This year's competing restaurants are Adobe Gila's, The Assembly Bar & Grill, Big Iron Horse BBQ, Garsillo's Italian Bar & Grill, GameWorks, Harold's Chicken Shack, The Hideout, JL's Pizza & Sports Bar, Kinfork, Moretti's, Neighborhood Inn, Rack House Kitchen & Tavern, Real Time Sports Bar, Rosati's on Wise, Sweet Caroline's and Tap House Grill.

The winning restaurant will receive a $250 prize and the traveling "Thighsman" trophy for the year ahead.

With me on the judging panel will be Hoffman Estates Mayor Bill McLeod, Schaumburg Mayor Al Larson, Schaumburg-Hoffman Rotary representative Kent Welsh, Weber Grill Executive Chef Dustin Green and two more chosen from among the attendees that day.

Though the blind taste test will be conducted early during the event, the winner won't be announced until after 4 p.m.

Proceeds from the event will be used to buy new coats and take more than 500 children from families in need on a Christmas shopping tour in early December. This is the 25th year WACO has sponsored such a shopping tour.