Dateline: September 13, 2007

Museum prepares for 13th annual cookoff

The Saints’ Roost Museum Board invites everyone to the 13th Annual Colonel Charles Goodnight Chuckwagon Cookoff on Saturday, September 22, on the museum grounds.

This year will recognize the 130th anniversary of the JA Ranch.

Ten authentic wagons are scheduled to compete for top prizes during this year’s cookoff. The wagons will serve at 1 p.m.

The chuckwagons will be cooking a chicken fried steak dinner, and there will be entertainment throughout the day along with lots of craft and vendor booths.

On Saturday, the gates will open at 7:30 a.m. with breakfast and lunch concessions provided by Boy Scout Troop 433. The tradeshow starts at 10 a.m., and museum tours will be available throughout the day.

Local and area entertainers will also be performing throughout the day.

Relatives of Col. Charles Goodnight will also gather at the former Adair Hospital for their annual reunion.

Other activities include doorprize drawings and a raffle for a pair of James Owens Handmade Boots.

Admission to the all-day event is free. Tickets for the authentic Chuckwagon meal are $15 each and can be purchased in advance at Henson’s. Boot tickets are also available at Henson’s or from any museum board member.

Following an invitation-only dinner with the chuckwagon cooks for museum members Friday evening, there will be musical entertainment as well as the “branding of the boards” and introduction of each chuckwagon team.

Proceeds from the cookoff benefit the Museum’s continuing efforts to preserve the history of Donley County.