Abilene, Texas — Stamford is turning into cowboy country again as the Texas Cowboy Reunion marks 96 years of Western heritage, bringing four days of rodeo events, live music, Western competitions and long-running family traditions to the area.
Stamford is turning into cowboy country again as the Texas Cowboy Reunion marks 96 years of Western heritage, bringing four days of rodeo events, live music, Western competitions and long-running family traditions to the area. (KTXS/ Tavish Lefall)
The chuckwagon competition is drawing special attention this year, with more wagons on the grounds than organizers have seen in some time. “It is. It’s grown quite a bit. We have six wagons here.
We haven’t had that in a long time, and so it’s turning out really good,” said Warren Wilson, chuck wagon chairman for the Texas Cowboy Reunion.
We haven’t had that in a long time, and so it’s turning out really good,” said Warren Wilson, chuck wagon chairman for the Texas Cowboy Reunion. (KTXS/ Tavish Lefall)
Organizers also say the reunion is entering a new chapter through a new multi-year partnership with Google, aimed at preserving the event’s cowboy heritage while introducing it to a new generation.
Organizers also say the reunion is entering a new chapter through a new multi-year partnership with Google, aimed at preserving the event’s cowboy heritage while introducing it to a new generation (KTXS/ Tavish Lefall)
Wilson said the company has supported the reunion with funding and upgrades. “They’ve donated quite a bit of money, and they’ve helped with improvements around this event. They’re just helping improve the whole area,” he said.
At the chuckwagon grounds, crews from Texas, Oklahoma and beyond are competing as smoke rises from campfires and cooks prepare meals in a style meant to reflect how food would have been made on the cattle trail.
Competitor Sandra Adams said she’s drawn to the work and the setting. “Yes, I have a passion for cooking. I love to cook. I love to be outdoors,” Adams said. (KTXS/ Tavish Lefall)
Competitor Sandra Adams said she’s drawn to the work and the setting. “Yes, I have a passion for cooking. I love to cook. I love to be outdoors,” Adams said. She described a menu that includes classic chuckwagon staples. “Tomorrow we’ve got potatoes cooked anyway. We want to feature the chicken fried steak. There’ll be gravy. We’ve all got to make bread. We’ve got pinto beans and peach cobbler,” she said.
Competitor Sandra Adams said she’s drawn to the work and the setting. “Yes, I have a passion for cooking. I love to cook. I love to be outdoors,” Adams said. She described a menu that includes classic chuckwagon staples. “Tomorrow we’ve got potatoes cooked anyway. We want to feature the chicken fried steak. There’ll be gravy. We’ve all got to make bread. We’ve got pinto beans and peach cobbler,” she said. (KTXS/ Tavish Lefall)
For some competitors, the reunion is also a first-time experience. “Really excited. This is our first time actually cooking this competition for the Texas Cowboy Reunion. It’s a really cool event. Very laid back. Everybody’s happy to be here,” said Matt Langford, a chuckwagon competitor.
Another competitor said the event is about more than winning, focusing instead on sharing the tradition with people who may not otherwise see it up close. (KTXS/ Tavish Lefall)
Another competitor said the event is about more than winning, focusing instead on sharing the tradition with people who may not otherwise see it up close. “They have a passion for cooking, and I love doing it. But I get to introduce it to people that normally don’t get to see it and kind of explain what we’re doing and kind of carry on the tradition. That’s my favorite part,” the competitor said.
This year’s Texas Cowboy Reunion Powered by Google will be held June 30 through July 4 in Stamford, Texas (KTXS/ Tavish Lefall)
This year’s Texas Cowboy Reunion Powered by Google will be held June 30 through July 4 in Stamford, Texas