When Bill Murray's character in the quirky 2001 comedy “Osmosis Jones” set out on a road trip to take his daughter to the "National Chicken Wing Festival" in Buffalo, New York, there was one problem: The festival didn't exist.
For most moviegoers, it was a silly plotline. But then-Buffalo News columnist Donn Esmonde asked, ‘Wait, why isn't there such a festival?’
"I remember thinking, somebody should do it,'" recalls Drew Cerza, founder of the National Buffalo Wing Festival (and designated “Wing King” of Buffalo). "I come from a background in food marketing, public relations and brand partnerships, and I thought, ‘I can do this. I'm a Buffalo kid.’”
The 2026 event—scheduled for Aug. 29-30 at the Sahlen Field ballpark downtown—will mark the festival’s 25th year. Cerza says it’s more than a weekend dedicated to Buffalo's most famous food; it's become a symbol of hometown pride, community connection and philanthropy synonymous with the city itself.
"People travel here to experience the best wings in the country,” he says, “but the festival also enables visitors to spend quality time in Buffalo, be introduced to our culture and connect with the community. Buffalo’s best asset is our people.”
Over the years, visitors have traveled from every U.S. state and all over the world. Last year alone, wing lovers from 26 different countries also made the pilgrimage to Buffalo.
The festival's growing popularity has also coincided with the fascination with regional American food. The National Buffalo Wing Festival found itself in the spotlight with television appearances on Food Network’s “Throwdown with Bobby Flay” and “Emeril Live,” introducing millions to Buffalo's signature dish while inspiring food lovers to make the festival their ultimate road trip.
"The people who come here are foodies from all over the world interacting with each other,” Cerza says. “It's become a reunion. Some people go camping every year—our people come to Wing Fest. It's become their annual tradition."
Attendees can sample more than 120 varieties of wings from restaurants across North America, experiencing everything from traditional Buffalo-style recipes to more unconventional regional interpretations.
"They get to see how different people sauce them, season them and use different ingredients," Cerza says. "It's food, fun and flavor."
But the festival’s legacy also extends beyond what people put on their plate. Over its first 24 years, Cerza has donated more than $550,000 to local charities, including FeedMore WNY, the Alzheimer's Association of WNY and Hope Rises.
Even after a quarter century, Cerza isn't one to stand still. This year's festival will introduce chicken nuggets for the first time (a move he says may raise eyebrows among wing purists) as well as a celebration of "25 Legends of Wing Fest," highlighting some of the event's most memorable moments.
"Being a Buffalo guy and being able to market your city, I get a lot of ‘thank-yous’ for doing this," Cerza says. "Seeing people so happy and enjoying themselves keeps me going. I work on this year-round, but I love what I do. There's a lot of pride in what we've created, and I don't think I'll ever give it up."
