Cookoff set for Saturday

By Paula K. Davis

The sixth annual Col. Charles Goodnight Chuckwagon Cookoff will be held this Saturday, September 23, on location at the Saints’ Roost Museum.

This year’s proceeds will be going toward the effort of restoring the historic Ft. Worth & Denver City Depot.

“The reason for all of the fundraisers is to help raise the money to preserve the heritage from this part of the country,” said cookoff chairperson Judi Synek.

The depot was built in the late 19th century and was moved to the museum grounds in the old Adair Hospital four years ago to prevent the railroad from tearing it down.

In an effort to improve the depot, the museum board applied for and received a $159,900 matching grant from the Texas Department of Transportation. The museum board must raise $40,100 to match the grant.

Willard Skelton, treasurer of the Saints’ Roost Museum, said approximately $18,000 has already been raised with the help of donations from the community and other anonymous donors from various states.

“With these donations and the addition of our certificate of deposit, we will have over the matching amount,” Skelton said.

The cookoff will begin at 8 a.m. with breakfast and lunch being served by the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce.

The trade show will begin at 10 a.m., and museum tours will be provided throughout the day. Trade booths have been reserved for Kenneth Wyatt Galleries, blacksmith Keith Latham, silversmith Jack Craft, and other Western and Native American exhibitors.

The entertainment starts at 11 a.m. and includes the Clarendon College praise band Forgiven, the CHS Fellowship of Christian Athletes Choir, the Methodist youth praise band EZRA, the Saints’ Roost Band, Dale Burson, and cowboy poet Billy Reeves.

Twelve wagons are confirmed to attend the cookoff this year to compete for top prizes. There is no admission charge to the all day event.

The authentic Chuckwagon supper will be served at 5 p.m. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased at Henson’s or by calling 806/874-3517. Tickets for a hot dog for children under age 6 can be obtained at the Chamber of Commerce booth for $2.

Other activities include cowboy church, which will be held Sunday morning under the tent at the museum. Johnny Burson of Silverton and Owen Noble of Wayland will conduct the services.

The Saints’ Roost Museum and the depot building is located off Hwy 70 South in Clarendon. For a complete entertainment schedule, see the ad on page three of this issue.