The 21st Annual Cowboy Roundup USA featuring the World Championship Chuck Wagon Roundup as well as a variety of cowboy and western entertainers runs June 6-7, 2008.
About 40 chuck wagons from across the western U.S. are expected in Amarillo this year for the World Championship Chuck Wagon Roundup. Their camp, next to the Amarillo National Center on the Tri-State Fairgrounds, becomes the centerpiece for Cowboy Roundup USA, one of the largest western events in the nation.
Each of the chuck wagon teams will spring into action early on Saturday morning, June 7, and prepare an authentic chuck wagon meal not unlike a meal cowboys of the late 1800’s ate when on cattle drives. The menu includes chicken-fried steak, potatoes, beans, sourdough biscuits, coffee and peach cobbler. When the dinner bell sounds at noon, the public is invited to a chuck wagon lunch.
Col. Charles Goodnight is generally credited with inventing the chuck wagon in Texas in the 1870s. A former Texas Ranger, Goodnight is a Western legend, establishing the first cattle ranch in the Texas Panhandle He converted an old army wagon into the first chuck wagon and the practice quickly spread throughout cattle country. Soon, a good chuck wagon cook became a vital part of the ranch operation.
All the cowboys and cooks competing in the World Championship Chuck Wagon Roundup wear clothing authentic for the late 1800s or early 1900s.
Don’t miss countless other activities on site, from the horse whisperer demonstration to an ice cream crank off, throughout the weekend. There is a sneak peak of the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association on both Friday and Saturday afternoon. This demonstration features some of the best shots from horseback in the world. And this fall, Amarillo is hosting the CMSA World Championships on November 18-23.
Also featured this weekend is music by Jody Nix on Friday night; Taste of Heritage/Chamber After Hours event on Friday evening; entertainment from the cast of TEXAS and the Kwahadi Indian Dancers on Saturday afternoon; the AQHA Ranch Horse Competition on Friday and Saturday morning; and sessions on chuck wagon history, chuck wagon restoration and a great trade show and sale.
Friday and Saturday tickets are $10 each day and include all the food, entertainment and activities around the chuck wagon campground. Tickets are available at the Tri-State Fairgrounds, Cavender’s Boot City, United Supermarkets and Foust Feed.
On Sunday morning, wrap up the weekend with a chuck wagon breakfast ($5) and Cowboy Church featuring the Buddy & Tina Wright Band.
For a complete events schedule, visit the Cowboy Roundup USA web site at www.cowboyroundupusa.org.
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Visit the Amarillo CVC web site at www.visitamarillotx.com