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ST. THOMAS — The 9th annual King of the Wing competition took place on Saturday here, drawing thousands to Magens Bay to experience dozens of flavors of chicken. The anticipated contest was held near shed 4 of the popular grounds, with restaurants, groups and organizations setting up their tents wedged between dozens of mahogany trees.

This years event attracted so many residents that Google Maps picked up the unusual traffic congestion in the area, alerting some motorists about the slowdown (this is a new feature for the Virgin Islands). For some attendees, it took nearly 30 minutes just to enter the beach, with traffic going as far back as Flamboyant on the Bay Resort — nearly a mile away. Views of tents, traffic and beachgoers overlooking Magens Bay from Drake’s Seat showed just how much the event has grown over the years.

King of the Wing is hosted by Alpine Securities every year and raises money for the Junior Achievement of the Virgin Islands.

Aerial view of Magen’s Bay during King of the Wing event on Saturday, June 9

This year’s King of the Wing competition included 42 participants from all three islands, up from 30 in 2017. Banco Popular Virgin Islands, a handful of political campaigns, The Smoking Rooster located in Havensight, and first-time competitor Pete’s Grill are some of the restaurants and organizations that were part of this years iteration.

“Every year we try to step it up a notch, so this year after having the major hurricanes we really wanted to give that resilient feel to King of the Wing in 2018,” said Jason Charles, chief of external affairs at Alpine Securities.

The wing competition also invited R. City DJ Deli Banger, who played some of the duo’s hit songs for wing connoisseur on St. Thomas. Some participants joked that there were more drumsticks than wings. There were more than a few unusual flavors, too, including recipes like passion fruit and soy wings and pineapple BBQ wings.

Mr. Charles thanked sponsors like Corona, Captain Morgan and Island Wiring, LLC and the lineup of DJs that provided music and entertainment, and for the Magens Bay Authority’s blessing to use the space for the event’s 9th series. Mr. Charles explained that the area, normally shaded with two rows of bushy mahogany trees, had lost most of its shade-giving canopy after the storms.

After tasting and tallying was completed, International Capital Management Company (I.C.M.C.) was announced as the new Grand Champion of King of the Wing 2018. Their signature chicken recipe appeared tasty enough for special celebrity guest judge, TV personality, culinary traveler, cook and author Adam Richman to crown the firm as the this year’s winner.

Mr. Richman had tasted all 42 of the competitors’ offerings before making his final decision. The celebrity has traveled the world, hosted Travel Channel series “Man V. Food” and basically eats food for a living by occasionally judging in competitive cooking events.

Speaking to the crowd, Mr. Richman mentioned that Virgin Islanders at the event were extremely kind, welcoming and beautiful people.

Over the music and the sizzling sounds and smells of chicken, there was the heat of summer and the heat of hundreds of spicy chicken wings and drumsticks. Alpine Securities started out raising on average about $30,000, before growing to an impressive $60,000 last year.