PRESENTED BY:
Saturday, April 11th, 2026 | 11AM-4PM
Olive Branch City Park
The tantalizing aroma of sizzling wings and ribs will once again fill the air as the DeSoto Wings & Ribs Competition and Festival, presented by Homer Skelton Auto Group, returns to Olive Branch City Park on April 11, 2026.
Wing enthusiasts and families alike are invited to indulge in a day of flavor, fun, and philanthropy from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Prepare for an even more electrifying showdown this year as the Rib Cookoff Association officially sanctions both the rib AND wing competitions, guaranteeing an epic battle between the Mid-South’s top grill masters like you’ve never seen before.
Beyond the incredible food and friendly competition, the festival has a meaningful mission. All proceeds from the event benefit the DeSoto County Dream Center, helping launch the new Dream Center Olive Branch location and expand vital services that provide educational assistance, emergency food, and clothing to underserved individuals and families throughout the community.
Stay connected as we count down to the festival! Follow the DeSoto Wings & Ribs Competition & Festival on Facebook for team announcements, giveaways, event updates, and more.
NEW: Fan Favorite Competition
This year we are introducing a new way for teams to compete and make an impact.
What is Fan Favorite?
The Fan Favorite competition allows you to support your favorite cooking team by voting for your team online. Each vote is $5, and every dollar supports the work of the DeSoto County Dream Center.
Why Participate?
This is another great opportunity to partner with the Dream Center in restoring hope and providing valuable resources to students and families in our community.
What Your FAV Team Gets If They Win
Recognition at awards ceremony
Fan Favorite bragging rights
Increased exposure
A chance to positively impact families in crisis through the DeSoto County Dream Center
Join us for the ultimate DeSoto Wings & Ribs V.I.P. experience this year!
For just $40, enjoy all-day heavy hors d’oeuvres and beverages, exciting raffles, exclusive swag bags, and a private, comfortable space to relax and take in the event like never before.
Tickets can be purchased during the event at the info tent!
WINGS AND RIBS TEAM INFO AND REGISTRATION
We look forward to seeing you and your team at the competition this year! Register below.
TEAMS MAY SIGN UP FOR THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES:
RIBS ($100 - Must provide 6 ribs for judging)
TRADITIONAL WINGS ($150 - Must provide 10 wings for judging)
UNIQUE WINGS ($150 - Must provide 10 wings for judging)
TRADITIONAL WINGS & UNIQUE WINGS ($200)
RIBS & TRADITIONAL WINGS ($200)
RIBS & UNIQUE WINGS ($200)
RIBS & TRADITIONAL WINGS & UNIQUE WINGS ($250)
PEOPLE’S CHOICE ($50 - WINNER TAKES HALF! (Must provide 300 wings for judging)
CASH PRIZES!
Traditional Wings:
1ST - $300
2ND - $200
3RD - $100
Ribs:
1ST - $800
2ND - $400
3RD - $300
4TH - $200
5TH - $150
6TH-10TH - $100
Unique Wings:
1ST - $300
2ND - $200
3RD - $100
People’s Choice Wings:(50/50 Split)
What Cooks Need to Know:
Visit the Rib CookOff Association website for more details on the rules to compete.
We’re excited to announce that Corky’s BBQ is generously providing 300 wings to every team participating in the People’s Choice Competition. Register by March 20th to claim yours! Don’t miss this chance to get your meat covered!
We’re thrilled to partner with Corky’s BBQ in making a positive impact in DeSoto County through their generous support this year.
Event Schedule
MUSICAL GUESTS: (MAIN STAGE)
_____________________________________
7:00 AM - 9:00 AM: TEAM LOAD IN
9:00 AM: COOK’S MEETING
11:00 AM: PEOPLE’S CHOICE TASTING BEGINS
11:00 AM: CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT BEGINS
1:00 PM: TURN IN TRADITIONAL WINGS
1:30 PM: TURN IN UNIQUE WINGS
2:00 PM: TURN IN RIBS
2:30 PM: PEOPLE’S CHOICE TASTING ENDS
3:00 PM: BLAZIN’ WINGS CHALLENGE BEGINS
4:00 PM: AWARDS ANNOUNCEMENT
Wing Eating Opportunities
Do you love to eat hot wings? We have two amazing options for you! Enter the Blazin’ Challenge or be a People’s Choice Taster, or do BOTH! Sign up for either of these at the INFO TENT on April 11th at the festival.
Blazin’ Challenge
Here is your chance to be the Hot Wing Champion. The first 20 participants to sign up will be entered in the Wing Eating Competition to be held at 3:00pm. The Entry fee to compete is $10 and includes all of the hot wings that your mouth can handle!
PLEASE CHECK IN AT THE INFO TENT BY 2:30PM.
People’s Choice Taster
Purchase your People’s Choice Taster Ticket for $25 per person
Includes four People’s Choice Voting Chips
Sample championship-worthy wings from every participating team while supporting the DeSoto County Dream Center
PURCHASE PEOPLE’S CHOICE TASTER TICKETS AT THE INFO TENT.
Volunteer with us!
Help us build a strong community one relationship at a time!
Toss for Dreams is a cornhole tournament brought to you by 662 Cornhole benefitting the DeSoto County Dream Center in our mission to help families and individuals dream again!
Register your cornhole team!
We have four (4) events open for entry:
11pm - BYOP - $50 per team (2 players)
1pm - Blind Draw - $25 per player
Immediately following the Blind Draw:
Pile Up - $5 per player
Airmail Challenge - 5 tickets for $20
You just need a free ACL account to get started!
Pay your registration fees at check-in.
Register for Blind Draw!
Register for BYOP!
* To protect our vendors, teams, and sponsors, please note that all official communication regarding the DeSoto Wings & Ribs Competition & Festival will come directly from the Desoto County Dream Center team.
If you are a kid zone vendor or event sponsor, you should only receive event information, setup instructions, and requests from Terri Sparkman or Lindsay Riden at: partner@desotodreamcenter.org or info@desotodreamcenter.org.
We will never request payment or sensitive information through social media messages or unofficial email addresses (only desotodreamcenter.org). If you receive communication claiming to represent this event from another source, please do not respond and notify our team immediately.