Enjoy the area’s best ribs and wings as well as live entertainment during Gatlinburg’s Ribfest & Wings on Thursday, April 22. One admission price allows sampling until the ribs and wings run out as the Parkway transforms into a Street Fair.

The popular ninth annual festival will feature extended hours (5 to 9 p.m., with musical entertainment starting at 5 p.m., food sampling from 6 to 9, eating contests, and loads of atmosphere on the Parkway between Traffic Light 6 and Riverside Motor Lodge/Reagan Terrace Mall.

Come out and enjoy live entertainment, children’s activities, hot wing eating contests and an ice cream eating event, each promising a wonderfully good time!

This year’s event returns to the Parkway with the entertainment menu spiced up by the classic tunes of the Beat Daddys, featuring their soulful rock ‘n roll blues. The main stage will also feature the musical group Soulfinger, spearheading a neo-classic soul movement with original sounds.

A panel will judge and award the best ribs or wings in seven categories. All vendors will be vying for the coveted “People’s Choice Award” chosen by popular vote.

Hot wing eating contests sponsored by All Sauced Up will feature wings prepared in sauces such as “Blazing Bomb,” “Treacherous Tongue,” “Fire Pit Hell,” “Scorching Screaming” and “Next Day Disaster.” Prizes will be awarded to the “Hot Wing Eating Contest Champion of the Year.” See if you can handle it!

The “Vermonster Eating Contest” sponsored by Ben & Jerry’s is another highlight of the evening of fun and festivities.

“We think this will be our best Ribfest & Wings extravaganza ever,” said George Hawkins, Special Events Manager for the Department of Tourism. “The Parkway is such an exciting and unique venue.”

An armband for Ribfest & Wings may be purchased for $12 (or $5 for kids) that allows sampling until 10 p.m. or as long as the ribs and wings last.

Last year’s vendors include All Sauced Up, Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, Corkys BBQ, Crawdaddy’s Restaurant & Bar, Gatlinburg Elks Lodge, Gatlinburg Fire Department, Gatlinburg Police Department, Hogg’s & Honey’s Saloon & Grill, Lineberger’s Seafood Restaurant, McCutchan’s Brass Grill, Ripley’s Aquarium of Smokies, Texas Roadhouse and TGI Fridays.

To enter your recipe as a vendor and compete for awards in categories including restaurant, lodging, attraction, retail, financial institution, public safety and civic organization, call the Office of Special Events at 436-0506.

A portion of the proceeds benefit Gatlinburg Hospitality Association’s educational scholarship fund.

The ninth annual Ribfest & Wings is sponsored by Star 102.1, Food City, Coca-Cola, the Best Western Twin Islands Motel and Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies.

For more information about Ribfest & Wings and other Gatlinburg Springfest events, visit www.gatlinburg.com or call 436-4178.