That interesting time of the year between the end of the long cold season in the Smokies and the return of nature and warm weather where we celebrate the cowboy lifestyle of yesteryear is upon us yet again. West comes East and merges with old-school Appalachia for the perennial favorite Pigeon Forge Chuck Wagon Cookoff weekend.
Here is Mypigeonforge.com‘s event information on it for 2024:
“Pigeon Forge invites Western lifestyle enthusiasts, foodies and those in search of a hearty meal to the Chuck Wagon Cookoff weekend.
This 3-day event includes an intimate dinner concert, cowboy church and our annual cookoff competition!
Chuck wagons will gather at Clabough’s Campground for this one-of-a-kind 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 cook-offs 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.
Friday, March 1 – Intimate Evening Dinner Concert
Join us for an intimate dinner and performance from Andy Nelson and R.W. Hampton.
Saturday, March 2 – Chuck Wagon Cookoff Competition
Kids and adults of all ages can enjoy old-time Western activities with Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch as well as interacting with the Sisters on the Fly Cowgirl Caravan during our free Buckaroo roundup. In addition, we’ll have free tent entertainment from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. featuring Western poetry and music featuring Andy Nelson, Brenn Hill and Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch. You won’t want to miss “Old Time Shoot Out” featuring the Shadow Riders and the Deadtree Desperados.
Sunday, March 3 – Chuck Wagon Breakfast & Cowboy Church at Stages West
Join us at Stages West for a cowboy-style breakfast. Following the Chuck Wagon Breakfast, be sure to stay and visit as we have church the cowboy way!”
Get more information on this event at https://www.mypigeonforge.com/event/cookoff.
