Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Cross Wagon crew member Brad Ray flips chicken-ried steak during the 15th annual Chuck Wagon Cook-off at in Logan. The Cross Wagon was one of seven chuck wagons competing in the event Saturday at Ute Lake State Park. The chuck wagons competed in cooking chicken fried steak and dessert.
link Cross Wagon crew member Brad Ray flips chicken-ried steak during the 15th annual Chuck Wagon Cook-off at in Logan. The Cross Wagon was one of seven
chuck wagons competing in the event Saturday at Ute Lake State Park. The chuck wagons competed in cooking chicken fried steak and dessert.
QCS Senior Writer
With cowboys and cowgirls, cast-iron Dutch ovens, campfires and chuck wagons, it looked like the Old West, but it was really the 15th annual Chuck Wagon Cook off Saturday in Logan.
More than 200 residents turned out to see the seven wagons that competed in the cook-off and taste their wares.
The top five wagons in food categories received cash prizes, as did the top two wagons overall.
The wagons were also judged their Old West authenticity. All of them came adorned with amenities from the Old West including Brooder lamps, six-shooters and graniteware cups and plates.
Most of the entries were return competitors, including the C4B wagon from Amarillo, Texas, the Rising W chuck wagon from Happy, Texas, and the Cockleburr Camp Chuck Wagon from Odessa, Texas
.
“This event brings so many great chuck wagons and teams into our community for our residents to enjoy,” said Sharon Reid, event coordinator.
The Canadian River Renegades, a non-profit organization that promotes the Logan and Ute Lake and the Chuck Wagon Cook-Off, sponsored the event. Proceeds from the event sponsor college scholarships for local students, Reid said.
This year, the judges for the contest included Marty Brown, a country music artist who appeared on season 8 of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.”
“This is great. I have never been to anything like this,” Brown said.
Brown said the event took him back to the tradition of the cowboy and chuck wagons. He said it was great to take in the smell of the campfire and food while enjoying the friendliness of Logan residents and the chuck wagon crews.
“It was a testament to the spirit of the Old West,” Brown said.
Brown performed later that night at a concert held at the Logan High school.
Reed said the concert was good but the attendance was a little low due to two proms being held on the same night, and events during the day including Quay County Little League’s opening ceremonies.
Sam Howell, owner of the Cockleburr chuck wagon, said one of the reasons he returns each year is the community’s support for the event.
“The residents who attend and support this event make it phenomenal every year,” Howell said.
Howell said this year the weather was perfect for the event. “It was chamber of commerce weather,” he added.
For the second year the cook off was held at a campground area near the beach at Ute Lake State Park, where trees provided a windbreak and shade for the competitors and visitors.
In past events held closer to less-sheltered park entrance, Tron Walters, Rising W chuck wagon, sadi, battling the elements has helped keep the event keep an authentic Old West feeling.
Reid said the event gives people a glimpse and feel of the Old West, but also brings the community together. She said residents and visitors get a chance to socialize while supporting a scholarship for a local high school student.
Individual category and over all winners included:
Meat 1. Cockleburr
2. C4B
3. Mountain Trails
4. Rising W/Carrizzozo Tie
Beans
1. Cross Wagon
2. Rising W
3. Honey Do/Cockleburr Tie
5. C4B/Carrizzozo Tie
Dessert
1. Cockleburr
2. Rising W
3. Carrizzozo
4. Mountain Trails
5. Honey Do
Bread
1. Rising W
2. Cross
3. Honey Do
4. C4B
5. Cockleburr
Potatoes
1. Rising W
2. Honey Do
3. Cockleburr
4. Mountain Trails
5. C4B
Wagon
1. Cockleburr
2. C4B
3. Honey Do
Overall
1. Rising W
2. Cockleburr
