DeSoto Wings and Ribs Competition and Festival returns to Olive Branch
Mar 14, 2025- The tantalizing aroma of sizzling wings and ribs will once again fill the air as the DeSoto Wings and Ribs Competition and Festival returns to Olive Branch City Park on April 5 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.! Prepare for an even more electrifying showdown this year as the Rib Cook off Association is officially sanctioning the rib and wings portion of our competition, guaranteeing a battle between the mid-south’s grill masters like you’ve never seen before. Wing enthusiasts and families alike are invited to join this community-wide event featuring flavor, fun, and philanthropy!
In addition to the amazing meats, this year’s entertainment lineup includes Mississippi’s own American Idol finalist, country music star, Zachariah Smith! Other event highlights include:
● Corn hole tournament
● Bounce houses and games for kids
● Food trucks
● Blazin’ Challenge wing eating contest
● Live musical performances
● Cruzin’ with the ARC Car Show in collaboration with The ARC Northwest Mississippi
Admission is free to this family event, however People’s Choice Wing Tasting tickets will be available for purchase.
Organized by the DeSoto County Dream Center, all proceeds from the DeSoto Wings and Ribs Competition and Festival will directly benefit the DeSoto County Dream Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to spreading Christ’s love to the underserved in our community by providing essential resources such as food, clothing, healthcare, and educational assistance. Last year the estimated 7,500 guests in attendance and event sponsors helped raise over $30,000, impacting the underserved in DeSoto County.
“It was one of the most enjoyable and exciting events we could have done last year!” said returning cooking team member, and Echols Catering co-owner, Alicia Echols. Echols and her husband made the decision to enroll their son in the DeSoto Dream
Center Elementary Education program shortly after learning about the after-school tutoring they offer. “It was a crossover of business and life as we signed up to compete, learned more about the Dream Center after school program, and signed our son up.”
For anyone considering competing, Echols’ advice is, “Go for it! DeSoto Wings is great exposure for any businesses involved and for a great organization like the DeSoto Dream Center. You get to meet new people and create new community at a great event!”
Teams eager to showcase their culinary prowess and win cash prizes can sign up for various categories including Traditional Wings, Unique Wings, and Ribs. Additionally, participants can register for the Wings People’s Choice category, where the winner takes home half of Wings People’s Choice registrations and more bragging rights, while helping impact the underserved in DeSoto County.
For more information, to sponsor, or to register, go to www.desotodreamcenter.org/desoto-wings.
