Wings n' Hoses square off for charity Kelsey's Restaurant in Tillsonburg
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Tuesday night’s Guns vs Hoses showdown at Kelsey’s Restaurant between Oxford County OPP and Tillsonburg Fire Services featured a lot of wings and a lot of laughs.
Kelsey’s Tillsonburg donated 20 per cent of revenue generated from the Kickback Night food and beverage sales on the patio to the winner’s charity of choice.
“This is a fun event for us, to come out and team up with some of our co-workers and also team up with the fire fighters,” said Oxford OPP constable Stacey Culbert. “We want to engage the public, have some fun tonight but also do it for a worthwhile cause - win or lose.”
OPP Inspector Tim Clark was ready to wing it Tuesday night and give it his best shot, despite being a little apprehensive.
“Just a little nervous – we’re going up against some stiff competition with these firemen. I’ve been training my whole life for this event and really looking forward to it - to see if the training will pay off,” he said with a chuckle.
Guns n’ Hoses consisted of four-person teams, including Oxford OPP’s Jerry and the Cruisers, Fowl Play, I Spy with My Little Eye, and Three Wings and a Drumstick. Tillsonburg Fire Services countered with Forced Entry, First on the Scene, Primary Search, and Smoke Eaters.
Teams shared a few laughs, ate plenty of wings, and it was all for a good cause. To add to the fun, there was a bit of Fear Factor added.
“Participants will not know what they are eating because they are going to be blindfolded - which is a surprise element that we did not disclose,” said Kendall Causyn, guest experience manager at Kelsey’s.
Participants received eight wings to devour for each round.
“In our final round it will come down to one of the OPP teams and one of the fire department teams,” said Causyn. “We want to see who’s the fastest at eating these wings.”
Detective John Byrne won the first round for his team I Spy With My Little Eye.
“I like spicy stuff anyway so it’s not a problem for me,” said Byrne.
Tim Harvey of Forced Entry was enjoying both the wings and the laughs.
“The wings were awesome – we come here and have them all the time,” said Harvey. “It’s a good time, we’re having fun and raising money for charity.”
Forced Entry beat fellow firefighter team Smoke Eaters to take Round 2.
“It was a surprise actually. These guys are great competitors, we have wings with them all the time,” said Harvey. “They eat chicken wings like champions… but not tonight.”
In the end, it was the Oxford County OPP who were victorious, winning with team Jerry & The Cruisers, earning the right to donate to school bursaries for the Scott Rossiter and Hawkins Family Foundation.
Tillsonburg Fire Services was competing for Muscular Dystrophy Canada.