From our September 28, 2000, edition.

Stamford wagon wins fundraiser cookoff 

By Paula K. Davis, Clarendon Enterprise

The Ericksdahl Cattle Co. wagon from Stamford was the first place winner in the overall cooking category at the sixth annual Col. Charles Goodnight Chuckwagon Cookoff last Saturday.

Twelve wagons were scheduled to compete at the event

Page Riggs of Stamford cooks up chicken fried steaks at the Ericksdahl Cattle Co. Wagon last Saturday during the sixth annual Col. Charles Goodnight Chuckwagon Cookoff in Clarendon. In back, Jay Hager batters up the next batch of steaks. The wagon won the best overall cooking award. Enterprise Digital Photo

 held at the Saints’ Roost Museum, but only ten wagons showed up.

“One of the reasons for the decrease of wagons is the dry weather that is taking place in Texas,” said museum board member Janet Cooper.

The drought meant some wagon owners could not afford to make the trip. Pre-sold tickets for wagons that didn’t show were honored by other wagons and at the Chamber of Commerce’s concession booth.

The event was considered a success, and the afternoon turnout was very good thanks in part to the homecoming reunions for Clarendon High School alumni.

“The turnout was great, and a lot of people came out to eat and enjoy the events,” said Billy Joe McFall, head cook of the McFall Wagon.

The all-day affair was kicked-off with breakfast provided by the Chamber of Commerce, and entertainment was provided throughout the day by local and area talent. A Western trade show was also held on the museum grounds, and museum tours were provided by members of the Clarendon High School Junior Historians.

For their first place overall cooking award, the owners of the Ericksdahl wagon took home $400. Second place went to the J Bar D Wagon from Amarillo, and third place went to last year’s winner, the Darsey Wagon of McLean. The Noble Wagon of Wayland and the McFall Wagon from Pampa tied for fourth place.

The Darsey Wagon won the best wagon and camp award. Second place went to the McFall Wagon, and the Wild Cow Ranch Wagon of Fritch was third. Ericksdahl and B Bar S tied for fourth.

Other results were as follows: Best Meat – 1) Noble Wagon, 2) Ericksdahl Cattle Co., 3) Carrita De Gallo Wagon of Clovis, NM, 4) Weems Cattle Co. of Amarillo; Best Beans – 1) Wild Cow Ranch, 2) Darsey Wagon, 3) McFall Wagon, 4) Carrita De Gallo; Best Bread – 1) Darsey Wagon, 2) J Bar D Wagon, 3) Noble Wagon, 4) Ericksdahl; Best Dessert – 1) J Bar D Wagon, 2) Ericksdahl, 3) Wild Cow Ranch, and 4) McFall Wagon.

To be able to compete in the Chuckwagon cookoff, wagons had to be historically correct, authentically restored, or authentic replicas. Rubber-tired wagons and iron-wheeled farm wagons were not allowed.

The wagons had to be equipped with a complete brake system, a spring seat had to be mounted on the wagon, and a complete wooden tongue assembly also had to be present.

Wagons had to have one set of team harness displayed on the tongue, four or five wooden wagon bows mounted on the wagon, and an old style chuckbox and toolbox. The campsite appearance had to be authentic, and the cooks had to dress historically correct. All food had to be cooked over wood-burning fires.

Cookoff trail boss Judi Synek said the event had great support from the community, and she expressed her appreciation for everyone who attended or had anything to do with the success of the cookoff.