MARION — Where there’s smoke, there’s … hot sauce? The Marion City Schools and the local Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant are lighting a fire under area businesses and organizations to participate in the third annual charity hot-wing-eating contest. Proceeds from the event will benefit the 2004 United Way campaign.

Previously held at Taft, this year’s contest will move to the gymnasium at Grant Middle School (formerly Harding High) and be held at 1 p.m. Friday, October 29. “Being able to hold it at Grant gives us a lot of room to grow,” said Kathy Wink, BW3s Sales & Marketing Director. “We were maxed-out at Taft; the size of Grant’s gym will allow us to accommodate more teams and hopefully generate more money for United Way.”

Last year’s event raised more than $1,100 for the charity. A team of Taft Middle School teachers took home top honors, dethroning the defending champs from Wyandot Snacks.

United Way of Marion County’s 2004 campaign is currently under way and continues through Monday, November 1st. This year’s goal is to raise $1,231,500 in cash and pledges to help fund more than 50 programs at 26 area non-profit agencies.

Wink summarized the contest guidelines: “To field a team, you need five participants with at least one male and one female. You also need a minimum donation of $50 per team, though we encourage each team to collect as much money as possible. The team that eats the most hot wings (sauce rating of 10, with 12 being our hottest) in five minutes wins our rotating trophy. Contestants cannot ‘wash down’ the wings until the horn sounds, though we do provide plenty of milk and water immediately afterwards. Because the wings are pretty hot, we do require participants under 18 years to have their parents sign a waiver. Teams come up with wacky names and even costumes, uniforms or protective gear. The more outrageous it gets, the more fun people seem to have.”

Wink noted entry forms and additional information are available from Buffalo Wild Wings, phone 725-9464; from Shawn Jackson at the Marion City Schools, phone 223-4405; and from United Way of Marion County, phone 383-3108.

The deadline for receipt of entries is Oct. 22 though teams can bring their entry fees or sponsor sheets with them on the day of the event.