Nov. 11, 2024
$55,000 in festival proceeds donated to Hurricane Helene relief efforts
Organizers of the Big Kahuna Wing Festival announced today that Covenant Health will become the naming sponsor starting in 2025. The festival, now in its 12th year, will be rebranded as the Covenant Health Big Kahuna Wing Festival, reinforcing a shared commitment to community.
At a check presentation ceremony held at Visit Knoxville, nearly $55,000 raised during the 2024 festival was distributed to four local nonprofits: Covenant Health, East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley and food4VOLS. The funds will be allocated to support Hurricane Helene relief efforts, aiding communities across East Tennessee and North Carolina impacted by the storm. Each organization will use the donation to provide critical resources and support for families affected by the hurricane.
“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Covenant Health as our naming sponsor,” said Matt Beeler, founder of the Big Kahuna Wing Festival. “Covenant Health’s dedication to enhancing the health and well-being of our community aligns perfectly with our festival’s mission to give back. Together, we can continue to make an even bigger impact in the years ahead.”
Covenant Health President and CEO Jim VanderSteeg said, “We are honored to deepen our partnership with the Big Kahuna Wing Festival by becoming the naming sponsor. This festival not only brings our community together for a fun event, but it also helps raise significant funds to support important initiatives. We look forward to working with the festival team to make 2025 the biggest year yet.”
Founded in 2013, the Big Kahuna Wing Festival has become a signature Knoxville event, attracting thousands annually with live music, wing-eating competitions and family-friendly atmosphere. To date, the festival has donated more than $630,000 to local charities, helping organizations across the region continue their vital work.
The 2025 Covenant Health Big Kahuna Wing Festival, which is set for Aug. 31, will aim to build on this tradition of giving and community impact with even more opportunities to make a difference for local nonprofits.
For more information about the festival and its charitable impact, visit bkwfestival.com.
About Covenant Health
Covenant Health is a Tennessee-based healthcare enterprise committed to providing the right care at the right time and place. As a not-for-profit health system, we are dedicated to being the region’s premier healthcare network through service, community, and innovation. We provide patient-centered care that inspires clinical and service excellence and strive to be the first and best choice for our patients, employees, physicians, employers, volunteers, and communities. Covenant Health is the area’s largest employer and has more than 11,000 compassionate caregivers, expert clinicians, and dedicated employees and volunteers. Learn more at covenanthealth.com.
About Big Kahuna Wing Festival
The Big Kahuna Wing Festival, established in 2013, is one of Knoxville’s most anticipated annual events, celebrating the wings in the Southeast and bringing the community together for great causes. The festival features live music, wing-eating competitions and family-friendly activities, attracting thousands of attendees each year. With a mission to give back, the festival has donated more than $630,000 to local charities over the past decade, supporting initiatives that make a lasting impact in East Tennessee. As the event continues to grow, it remains dedicated to creating a fun and meaningful experience for the community while raising funds for important causes. For more information, visit bkwfestival.com.
