Lunch, consisting of from-scratch dishes prepared for the competition, will be served at noon. Tickets are $12.50 each and may be purchased onsite or online at MyPigeonForge.com/events/chuckwagon-cookoff-competition.

“Great food and the chance to observe and interact with our chuck wagon cooks makes our Pigeon Forge Chuck Wagon Cookoff not only unique but educational,” said Pigeon Forge Executive Director of Tourism Leon Downey. “Whether you’re in search of a delicious meal or want to learn more about the American West, the cookoff lets you get up-close and experience something extraordinary.”

More than 10 chuck wagons will gather at Clabough’s Campground (405 Wears Valley Road) for this outdoor cooking event. Long before today’s food truck craze treated foodies to impromptu kitchens on wheels, early American chuck wagons fed hungry cowboys on the open prairies during cattle drives. Chuck wagon cooks, or cookies, as they are known, rely on simple ingredients to guide their menus and fire to power their ovens.

Chuck wagon cookoffs aid in the preservation of cattle drive trail days as well as ensuring the authentic reproduction of the mobile kitchens. The competition includes cash prizes for most authentic wagon and awards in various food categories, including meat, potatoes, bread, beans and dessert. All food items must be prepared onsite and using ingredients provided to the cooking teams. Condiments may be used at the cook’s discretion. Prohibited ingredients are announced prior to the competition.

The day also includes several free activities from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: an old-time Western Buckaroo Roundup for children of all ages featuring Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch providing roping and branding demos; roving cowboy lookalikes from the Golden Age of cinema, and Sisters on the Fly, the largest women’s outdoor adventure group in the country, with free tours of their Cowgirl Caravan of vintage trailers; and Western poetry and music featuring Andy Nelson and Marshal Andy & the Riders of the Silver Screen Band from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, March 5, features the Chuck Wagon Breakfast and Cowboy Church at Stages West (2765 Parkway). Served from 8:30-10 a.m., breakfast is prepared by Kent and Shannon Rollins of Red River Ranch Chuck Wagon., and $5 tickets may be purchased onsite or in advance at MyPigeonForge.com. Cowboy Church follows at 10:30 a.m.

For more information about the Chuck Wagon Cookoff and other events, please visit MyPigeonForge.com.

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Contact:
Trish McGee
for Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism
615-327-1189