*Updated to add quotes from the King of the Wing champion.

OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The smell of hot sauce wafted through the air while several hundred people filled the streets around downtown Ocala’s square and country music played in the background.

That was the setting as more than a dozen amateur and professional cooks competed for a coveted title – King of the Wing 2024 – on Tuesday, March 26.

The saucy showdown is a fundraiser for The Arc Marion which provides support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

A gorgeous night on the square in downtown Ocala for the King of the Wing contest. Courtesy: Bree Harrell/352today
93.7 K-Country’s Lewis Stokes emceed the event. Courtesy: Bree Harrell/352today

The annual event is hosted by the Marion County Building Industry Association.

Once all wings were sampled, fingers licked and votes counted, a new King of the Wing was crowned.

Drum roll please!!!!!

The 2024 champion is Charlie Horse, a restaurant on East Silver Springs Boulevard whose menu features nine wing sauces including YPT sauce which stands for “You’ll Pay Tomorrow.”

“To win King of the Wing was amazing!” said Charlie Horse General Manager Cindy Tinsley. “Everyone in the restaurant always works so hard. So, it is nice to see everyone so happy and proud of their accomplishments.  The win was very unexpected, which made it such a shock!”

The winning wing flavor was garlic parmesan which is on their menu and homemade every week.

The competition was fierce among professional and amateur competitors.

“It’s painful to say it, but ‘Congrats’ to the Professional Firefighters of Ocala for being the People’s Choice Winner,” said the Professional Firefighters of Marion County in a Facebook post. “We’re going to get that trophy back next year!”

Here’s a look at who took home the hardware this year:

King of the Wing
Winner: Charlie Horse
Runner Up: TECO Peoples Gas

People’s Choice
Winner: Professional Firefighters of Ocala
Runner Up: Mojo’s

Best Booth
Winner: TECO Peoples Gas
Runner Up: Brick City Southern Kitchen

Mojo’s was voted runner up for the People’s Choice award. Courtesy: Bree Harrell/352today
The crew from TECO Peoples Gas won Best Booth in the 2024 competition. Courtesy: Bree Harrell/352today
Brick City Southern Kitchen was the runner up for the Best Booth. Courtesy: Bree Harrell/352today
The team from Charlie Horse (l-r: Bob, Heather, Pam, Amy, Cindy) is crowned the King of the Wing award. Courtesy: Bree Harrell/352today
The Professional Firefighters of Ocala won this year’s People’s Choice award. Courtesy: Bree Harrell/352today
The team (l-r: Bobb, Heather, Cindy, Amy, Pam) from Charlie Horse celebrates winning the King of the Wing award. Courtesy: Charlie Horse
Charlie Horse General Manager Cindy Tinsley hoists the trophy back at the restaurant. Courtesy: Charlie Horse