One of the most successful fundraisers in Kinston returns this week.
The fifth annual Wings over the Neuse event will be held on Friday from 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. at the CSS Neuse II Site.
Citizens will be able to purchase plates for $5 containing chicken wings, celery, carrot sticks and dressing. The plates will be bagged and picked up at the Farmer’s Market, adjacent from the CSS Neuse II Site on the corner of Herritage Street and Gordon Street.
There will be a free delivery for those inside Kinston or within 5 miles outside of city limits who purchase at least four plates.
Last year, the CSS Neuse Foundation sold more than 1,000 plates and 5,000 wings, running out of food in the process. This year, more than 5,500 wings have been purchased in anticipation.
“We’ve sold about 1,000 plates every year,” CSS Neuse Foundation Vice President David Mooring said. “There is a lot of support of the (CSS Neuse) the community built and Hawk Sauce continues to be a contributor.”
Paul Mixner and Judy Johnson market the sauce, which first came from North Lenoir High School in 2004 and can be found in grocery stores around the city. Although the wings sold will be saturated with the original sauce, a tent will be set up with spicy, wasabi cocktail, Eastern sauce and dry dip mixes of the popular local sauce.
Hawk Sauce’s initial production run was the first Wings over the Neuse event in 2009 and has been a staple at the event ever since.
“We were with the high school booster club when our son, Ryan Johnson, was playing and we made the sauce there,” Mixner said. “After he graduated, we received a lot of calls from people asking where they could get the sauce now that their kids had left as well. We weren’t a licensed manufacturing plant at the time, but said if the business could support itself, we’d go commercial.
“We had known John Nix and David Mooring for years and they approached us, asking if we would be a part of Wings over the Neuse by supplying the sauce. We were thrilled — been doing this ever since.”
Nix, president of the CSS Neuse Foundation, was one of the catalysts of the event’s inception after the death of Ted Sampley on May 12, 2009. Sampley was a former Vietnam War veteran and founder of the Neuse II, a Confederate warship and the only replica ironclad boat in the world.
“When Ted passed away, I was trying to think of something to honor him,” Nix said. “My wife and I were talking one night and she said ‘Why not call it ‘Wings Over the Neuse’ because it’s like an angel would be there looking over the boat?’ We just went from there and the first year was a big success. It has grown into the CSS Neuse Foundation’s biggest fundraiser.”
All proceeds go toward the boat, as Mooring wants to keep access free to the public because of the educational value.
“We don’t ask for help from tax dollars,” Mooring said. “The boat was built on a vacant lot by volunteers, which was quite an undertaking.”
The event will also be heavily sponsored, with 50 — including 11 individuals — donating. Still, Mooring is thankful for volunteers as well.
“There will be several volunteers making plates, delivering plates and cooking wings,” Mooring said. “We appreciate each person who has helped us.”
Those looking for a delivery can contact Nix at 252-560-2150. People who want to volunteer by being a delivery driver, packing plates or taking care of other needed tasks should call Nix as well. Pepsi products and water can also be purchased at the event or through delivery for $1 per beverage.
Junious Smith III can be reached 252-559-1077 and Junious.Smith@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JuniousSmithIII.
What: Fifth annual Wings Over the Neuse
Where: The Farmer’s Market, adjacent from the CSS Neuse II Site
Time: Friday, 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Cost:$5 per plate with drinks an additional $1