Downtown MP to heat up with upcoming hot wings contest

By Bryce Kelly, Mt. Pleasant News

Chicken wing fans, assemble. Wings in the Spring is coming to Mt. Pleasant?s Central Park May 30.

Expected to bring together at least a dozen amateur chefs from around the southeast Iowa area to downtown Mt. Pleasant, the first-ever Wings in the Spring chicken wing cooking contest will award cash prizes to the top competitors as well as the people?s choice recipient.

?In the fall, our Pints in the Park event was very successful, so we?ve been thinking of ways to bring that type of an event back,? said Lisa Oetken, director of Main Street Mt. Pleasant. ?People have told us they really wanted more events like that, which is where this idea really came from.?

The contest is set to take place on Tuesday, May 30, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. In addition to chicken wing tasting, there will be opportunities to sample various Iowa craft beers from over five local breweries and two local distributors. Live music will also be onsite during the duration of the event.

Competitors need to provide samples for 200 to 300 people, a 100-foot heavy duty extension cord (if needed), their own table, the contest entry fee and any grilling, cooking, or serving equipment needed.

There is still time for competitors to sign up for the contest by contacting Oetken at loetken@mountpleasantiowa.org or by calling 319-385-3101 ext. 225.

The new event will also be held in conjunction with the official kick-off of this year?s Market on Main farmer?s market, which brings together farmers, ranchers and artisans selling locally-grown produce, as well as handcrafted crafts, candles and much more.

According to Oetken, the Mt. Pleasant Chamber hopes to plan some type of special event for every Market on Main this year in an effort to work with downtown retailers to boost Mt. Pleasant?s local economy.

?There will be something there for everyone on Tuesday,? said Oetken. ?We are expecting a large turnout for our kickoff to Market on Main, and should have a good deal of fun as a community.?