Tussey Mountain WingFest keeps getting bigger, better. Here is what’s new this year
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- WingFest expanded from eight weeks to nine weeks this season.
- General admission remains $15 at the gate, with online adult tickets now $11.
- Weekly vendors compete with attendees voting; overall champion wins $5,000.
Tussey Mountain WingFest initially started as a small patio party at the local ski resort 25 years ago, and it’s grown to become one of the staples of the Centre County summer.
With live music, dollar wings and general admission that tops out at $15, the value has grown as the crowds have. Some fans rush to the weekly event — which runs 5-10 p.m. every Thursday from June 11 through Aug. 6 — right as the gates open to sample all the rotating wing offerings. Others skip the wings altogether and enjoy back-to-back bands while the sun sets over one of the area’s most picturesque spots.
“We’re really proud with how it’s grown,” said Aaron Weyman, a spokesperson for Tussey Mountain Ski and Recreation. “We have ski conferences and things we go to — some our size, some bigger than us — and they see it on Instagram and places, and they’re like, ‘Tell us about this. How did you guys do this?’”
Weyman, who’s worked for Tussey for nearly 20 years, can still remember when officials pat themselves on the back once weekly attendance reached 1,000. Now, over the past two years, Tussey was twice forced to turn away attendees when the capacity of 4,000 was met.
Different people come for different reasons. But the heart of WingFest is, of course, the wings. Every week, 5-7 new businesses trot out new sauces and flavors — and, every week, attendees vote on the best wings. WingFest’s final week features all of the weekly winners to determine the overall champion, who is then awarded $5,000.
The wings are supplied by Tussey. And businesses are given $600 just for participating.
What’s new this year?
WingFest is expanding this season, moving from an eight-week event to a nine-week event. And VIP tickets are available for the first time, at a cost of $27.50, entitling the holder to access the Tussey bar and lodge — with interior restrooms, air conditioning and seating.
Rest assured, other ticket costs remain nearly identical. General admission at the gates is the same as last year at $15 for adults, $8 for children ages 7-17 and free for children 6 and younger. The only difference is that online tickets purchased ahead of time have increased by $1 — so it’s $11 for adults and $6 for children ages 7-17.
“The additional dollar really just covers the online business that we use for ticketing,” Weyman said, emphasizing one of Tussey’s priorities is keeping prices low.
Music lovers and wing enthusiasts will notice a few visible changes once they reach the resort in Boalsburg. For one, Tussey’s beer garden has been relocated across the street at the Tussey Mountain Fun Centre, where mini-golf and go-karts are located.
The Fun Centre will remain open throughout WingFest this season. And for families who wish to stay inside the amphitheater for WingFest — even though re-entry is permitted — the Kid Zone by Centre Entertainment is making its return this year. There will be a rotating lineup of inflatables for kids, such as slides, bouncy houses and (inflatable) axe throwing.
But perhaps the most noticeable change can be seen once attendees step foot inside the actual WingFest. The food court will be moved closer to the lodge, and the area has been at least partially flattened — or “graded out” — to make for easier food trips.
“In years past, the wing vendors were a little bit more up on the mountain, where you had to actually walk up a slope a little bit,” Weyman said. “Now, it’s going to be on a different angle, were people can just walk right up to it and ideally not have to go uphill anywhere. We think that’ll work a lot better.”
Flatter land should also more easily allow food trucks to set up. As a result, Tussey’s WingFest will boast eight food vendors this year for attendees who want to munch on something other than chicken wings:
- Crazy Carl’s Kettlecorn
- Doan’s Bones BBQ
- Fatema’s Kitchen
- Inside Out Cookie
- Packer’s Concessions
- Real Taste 570
- Rita’s Italian Ice
- Rosie’s Pierogies
Lineup of bands
Two bands will take the stage every week, with the first band scheduled to play a two-hour set starting at 5:30 p.m. and the second slated for a two-hour set at 8 p.m.
So bring your own lawn chairs and beach towels while enjoying music on the following WingFest dates:
June 11: Lowjack, My Hero Zero
June 18: 91 Stitches, Who’s Bad (Michael Jackson Cover Band)
June 25: J.R. Mangan Band feat. Veronica Auger, Completely Unchained (Van Halen Cover Band)
July 2: Pure Cane Sugar, The Amish Outlaws
July 9: Astral Shakedown, Pink Talking Fish (Pink Floyd/Talking Heads/Phish Cover Band)
July 16: Felix & the Hurricanes, The Seven Wonders (Fleetwood Mac Cover Band)
July 23: Coal Aly, Beatlemania Again (The Beatles Cover Band)
July 30: OK Otter, The Clintones (’90s Music Cover Band)
Aug. 6: The Jaded Lips, Velveeta
Wing competitor lineup
This is not the final list of wing participants, as new businesses and organizations can request to become competitors throughout the contest. This is the list that was publicly available Tuesday.
The Bull Pen Restaurant & Sports Bar from Tyrone was the overall winner in 2025. It will defend its title July 9.
June 11: Center Street Grille, Gourmet Griddle, Robin Hood Brewing, Smokehouse Bar & Grill, Breakfast on Boal
June 18: Floating Feathers, Pleasant Gap American Legion, Primanti Bros, The Muddy Run Tavern, Studebaker House, The Toasted Monkey, Valley Girl Co.
June 25: Café 210 West, Millheim American Legion, Pasti Bella, Sweet Tooth Bakery, Twisted Whisk
July 2: Cora’s Creekside Tavern, Dubbs Grub, Katie J’s, Milesburg American Legion, Texas Roadhouse
July 9: Boujee Bistro, The Bull Pen, Celebrities, Lake Raystown Resort, Miles Township Social Club
July 16: Boomerangs, Burnham Eagles, K&J BBQ, Tripletts, Woody’s on the Boulevard
July 23: Happy Valley Live, Inside Out Cookie, Mt. Nittany Medical Center, Red Buffalo, Wings Over Happy Valley
July 30: The Arena, Blonde Bistro, The Bridge, Rebelz
Aug. 6: TBD (The Finals)
