PIGEON FORGE, Tennessee (Feb. 22, 2021)–Preparing lunch begins long before breakfast at the Pigeon Forge Chuck Wagon Cookoff competition March 26-28.
Authentic chuck wagons, the original food trucks, will gather for the family-friendly competition on Saturday, March 27, at Clabough’s Campground (405 Wears Valley Road). Chuck wagon cookoffs aid in the preservation of cattle drive trail days as well as ensuring the authentic reproduction of the mobile kitchens.
The event will adhere to Covid-19 protocols available here, including requiring that masks be worn by all participants in all common areas.
The competition includes cash prizes for most authentic wagon and awards in various food categories, including meat, beans, potatoes, bread 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.
Lunch is served at high noon, featuring food prepared by each wagon. Tickets are $15 (tax included) each and can be purchased in advance at MyPigeonForge.com/events/cookoff. Free entertainment including Wylie Gustafson, Andy Nelson, and Marshal Andy and the Riders of the Silver Screen Band is available from 10:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. in the event tent. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., throughout the event, guests can enjoy free buckaroo roundup activities for the entire family, including old-time Western activities with Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch; Western music and poetry; and roving cowboy lookalikes.
Andy Nelson and Wylie & The Wild West headline two concerts during the event. An Intimate Evening dinner concert is set for 6 p.m. on Friday, March 26, at Mama’s Farmhouse (208 Pickel Street). Tickets are $50 each (tax included). Wylie & the Wild West join Nelson for a Saturday evening concert at 6 p.m. at Clabough’s Campground. Tickets are $20 (tax included) per person. Seating is general admission.
Tickets to all events can be purchased at MyPigeonForge.com/event/cookoff. The event has sold out for the past eight years.
“The Pigeon Forge Chuck Wagon Cookoff competition combines delicious food, the great outdoors, engaging campfire chefs and bragging rights,” said Pigeon Forge Executive Director of Tourism Leon Downey. “It’s the perfect recipe for one of our city’s most popular events of the year.”
The weekend continues on Sunday, March 28, with the Chuck Wagon Breakfast and Cowboy Church at Stages West (2765 Parkway). The cowboy-style breakfast will be served 8:30 to 10 a.m. for $5 per person (tax included). Cowboy Church follows at 10:30 a.m., and admission is free.
For more information about the Chuck Wagon Cookoff and other events, please visit MyPigeonForge.com or call 1-800-251-9100.
#