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Sold-out event features new participants, new flavors, trolley service
SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – OCT. 2, 2018 – The Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corp. (DSIC) and Proctors will once again drive wing lovers wild with the Seventh Annual Wing Walk, celebrating the city’s vibrant restaurant scene along with the great atmosphere and walkability of downtown Schenectady.
From noon to 5 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 6, wing fans will try samplings from a record 23 downtown Schenectady restaurants and vote for their favorite. Based on popular demand, available tickets were increased this year from 1,500 to 2,000; all tickets were sold out as of Monday, Oct. 1. Says DSIC executive director Jim Salengo, “With a record number of participants, a record number of tickets, and the earliest sell-out to date, the Wing Walk has established itself as a must-attend event in downtown Schenectady. We can’t wait to welcome thousands of visitors to showcase downtown and our many outstanding businesses.”
Several new competitors are on the roster this year: Johnny’s Restaurant offers Frankie’s Wings (sherry glazed cherry peppers, roasted garlic, parmesan cheese & fresh herbs), The DillyBean joins forces with The Memphis King BBQ on Smoked BBQ Wings, and the new Union Inn keeps it sweet and savory with Honey Teriyaki Wings.
Ya Ya’s House of Southern Cuisine returns to the Wing Walk with a Thai Sweet & Hot Chili Wing after reopening in downtown earlier this year at their new location on Broadway. Says Ya Ya’s owner Amanda Thompson, “We are very excited to showcase our flavorful food that’s good for the soul. Ya Ya’s House is a place for family and friends alike to feel content and comfortable, like being at Grandma’s house on any given Sunday.”
The Backstage Pub joins the Wing Walk for the first time under new ownership. Says Backstage owner Terry Aldrich, “I’m excited for our restaurant to be part of the downtown Schenectady community again. We can’t wait for guests to try our Spicy Garlic Parmesan Wing, and we look forward to showing off all that we have to offer at the new and improved Backstage Pub.”
Other participating restaurants include: 20 North Broadway; 151 Bar & Restaurant; Aperitivo Bistro; Bombers Burrito Bar; Canvas, Corks & Forks; Centre Street: A Public House & Garden; The Horses Lounge @ Clinton Street Pub; Hunter’s on Jay; Isopo’s Downtown Pizza; Katie O’Byrne’s; Mad Jack Brew Pub @ The Van Dyck; Manhattan Exchange; Mexican Radio; Nico’s Rooftop Tavern; Pho Queen; Pinhead Susan’s; Slidin’ Dirty; and Taj Mahal Restaurant.
Before sampling wings, guests must pick up their Wing Walk tickets (which feature a map of participants and a ballot for voting) at the Box Office at Proctors, 432 State Street, Schenectady, anytime after 10 a.m. Guests must present their tickets and have them marked in order to sample each restaurant’s wings. Wing Walkers may vote for their favorite recipe by sampling at least 10 wings, filling out the ballot on their ticket, and then placing it in a Wing Walk Drop Box by 5:15 p.m. at one of five locations around downtown.
Two CDTA Electric City Trolleys will be circulating from Noon to 8 p.m. on Oct. 6. The FREE trolleys will be making eleven different stops around the heart of downtown and Mohawk Harbor every 15 minutes, many of them near Wing Walk restaurants and public parking lots.
For the second straight year, the YMCA Schenectady Branch will be providing daycare services for Wing Walkers’ little chicks from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at a cost of $5/hour. Gym games, crafts and activities will be broken down into age-specific areas. You must register for daycare services by Friday, Oct. 5 at cdymca.org/wingwalk2018.
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