Chuckwagon Policies

Western Spirit Celebration, A Cowboy Gathering

September 18-20, 2009

 

POLICIES, RULES, AND AWARDS

 

GENERAL

 

ENTRY FEE: $100.00 per wagon to be refunded at time of check-in. Complete the online Chuck Wagon Application and mail your check to: Chisholm Trail Heritage Center, 1000 Chisholm Trail Drive, Duncan, OK 73533. Nametags for identification will be provided and armbands will be given to admit each team member to the events.

 

CHECK-IN/BREAK DOWN: Check in at the Rendezvous Wagon – do not unload until checked in and space assignment given – Please NO EXCEPTIONS. Check-in will be available all day Friday starting at 8:00 AM.  All wagons must be in place in time for the 3:00 PM judging followed by the Cook’s meeting. Thursday check-in is available with special permission. No security will be provided Thursday night. Awards will be distributed at 3:30 PM Saturday afternoon. If you choose to leave Saturday, break down of campsite may be done just prior to the dance at 6:00 PM. You will receive a nametag and armband that will get you into all the events. We are excited to have Dan Roberts and Chuck Milner as entertainment. Both are well known cowboy poets and singers. The music for the dance Saturday evening is a country swing band, Church of the Western Swing (C.O.W.S.). Some of their members include former players from the Bob Wills Band.

 

TRAILER AREA: There will be a designated trailer are. No trailers or vehicles will be allowed at the campsite after 8:00 AM, Saturday.

 

SPACE ASSIGNMENTS: Space assignments are on a first come, first served basis.

 

CHUCKWAGON PERSONNEL: A designated cook, two other cooks and up to 3 additional helpers shall comprise the Chuckwagon team. NO MORE THAN 6 CREW MEMBERS may participate in preparation and the cooking at your wagon. We will have volunteers available Saturday, if needed.

 

FRIDAY NIGHT: There will be a volunteer and sponsor meal starting at 5:00 PM. All Chuckwagon teams are invited to attend. At 6:00 PM there will be a mandatory Cook’s meeting (see below for more detail).

 

FOOD RULES

 

MATERIALS FURNISHED: Food and food supplies – meat, potatoes, beans, fruit, flour, sugar, butter, shortening, oil, milk, plates, eating utensils, cups, napkins and drinks. Ice will be available for pickup at site. Water will be available at site.

 

DISTRIBUTION: Food items will be distributed at the Cook’s meeting, Friday evening. Perishable items must be kept in cold containers at all times.

 

WOOD: Wood is to be furnished by each wagon. A limited amount of Conversation wood will be available for use.

 

COOKING:    1. All cooking must be done on an open fire at site – no gas.

2. Menu shall consist of meat of your choice (made with the meat               provided), pinto beans, potatoes, biscuits or rolls, and fruit-based dessert

                        3. Biscuits/rolls and pastries may either be sourdough, plain, or yeast

                        4. Desserts will be made with the fruit provided

5. Each wagon must feed 60 ticket holders. Portion your food so that you will not run out before you served your 60. You will be provided enough food to serve the 60 plus your crew. Food that is prepared for the ticket holders shall be prepared the same as that which is judged.

6. Meals will be served to the general public from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM

7. The head cook is responsible for the cleanliness of the campsite at all times, as well as for the team’s general conduct.

 

FOOD JUDGING

 

MEETING: A meeting of the participants and the Event Chairmen will take place at

6:00 PM during the evening meal, Friday September 18, 2009 at the Rendezvous Wagon. Rules, procedures, judging, and times will be reviewed and discussed. All teams must have a representative present at the meeting to be eligible for judging.

 

JUDGES: The judges have not yet been named and/or confirmed. However, they will be reputable and qualified to judge each food item and wagons.

 

FOOD PICK-UP: Each wagon will be provided numbered, Styrofoam containers Saturday morning for judging. Food for judging must be ready for pick-up by 11:45 AM – NO EXCEPTIONS. Containers will be picked up and delivered to the judging area between 11:45 AM and 12:00 PM.

 

DECISIONS: Judges decisions are final – any disputes will be handled by the judges.

 

WAGON AND CAMPSITE JUDGING

 

The following guidelines are used to preserve the chuck wagon heritage and provide a historical setting for our visitors.

 

WAGONS:     1. Wagons should be historically correct, authentically restored, or authentic replicas         

2. Wagons should be in drivable condition with a wagon bed at least 2 sideboards high, painted or unpainted, with or without a dutch oven boot or possum belly.

3. Iron wheeled or rubber tired wagons will not be eligible to compete

4. Wagons should have 4-5 mounted wooden bows. Iron or pipe tongues, or iron or pipe bows will not be eligible to compete.

5. A complete set of working brakes will be necessary

6. The wagon seat should be spring-mounted

 

CAMPSITE:   1. Overall camp layout must be neat and functional

2. Cooking utensils used are to be authentic, made of cast iron, copper, brass, or graniteware

3. Tents, cowboy teepees, and bedrolls must be canvas

4. You must be able to load everything into your wagon.

5. Period clothing is suggested.

6. No ball caps will be allowed

7. Commercial names and/or logos are prohibited, except for those provided by the Committee.

 

JUDGES: The judges have not yet been named and/or confirmed. However, they will be reputable and qualified to judge each wagon and campsite.

 

VEHICLES: All vehicles and trailers MUST be removed prior to judging.

 

JUDGING: Wagon and camp judging will occur from 3:00 to 5:00 PM Friday, September 18, 2009. Please have your campsite ready to be judged at that time. There will be no talking in the campsite during judging, except between the judges. Judging will be timed to assure appropriate time allowance for each campsite.

 

DOGS: No dogs are allowed at the campsite.

 

SPONSOR SIGNS

 

This Western Spirit Celebration would not be a reality without our sponsors. Sponsorship for the Chuckwagons help provide the level of prizes and benefits that are offered to you this weekend. However, we also do not want to depart from the ambiance that the Chuckwagons bring to the celebration.

 

So here is what we would like to do:

Each wagon will be provided their wagon’s sponsor sign at the meeting Friday night. This sign must be displayed in plain view to the public at each individual’s campsite. We will have a contest for the best decorated sign. Winner will receive $50.00. This is an optional event, however it’s fun and we sure do encourage you to participate. The rules are as follows:

        1. Be as creative as possible

        2. Be in good taste

        3. Use anything you deem appropriate that would help you win the prize.

        4. Sponsor name must be in plain sight for the general public to see.

        5. Decorated sign must be in place by 11:00.