Chuck Wagon Cookoff – Good Food and Good Times
The Chuck Wagon Cookoff has been a staple event in Pigeon Forge for the past twekve years. This event is one of the most popular in the area, drawing enthusiasts and foodies from all over the country. Make plans to be in Pigeon Forge on March 6 – 8 for great food and family friendly entertainment at the 2026 Chuckwagon Cookoff. Chuck Wagon Cookoff – Good Food and Good Times is a great family event to attend.
Hopefully, it will draw you, too, because it’s an absolute ton of fun. One of the most enjoyable festivals held in the area, the Chuck Wagon Cookoff is great family fun that’s full of good food, entertainment, and much more.
See below for full details about he weekend, beginning on Friday night.
About the Chuck Wagon Cookoff
The Chuck Wagon Cookoff was first held in 2018, and it’s been going strong ever since. Pigeon Forge has been a tourist destination since the late 1880s, and this cookoff fits perfectly into the area’s old-world vibe.
The event features live music, authentic old west cooking, and participants dressed in traditional Western wear. It’s no wonder this event has been so popular with food lovers and those obsessed with the old West.
One of the most anticipated events is the shootout. Two groups approach each other in traditional western gear and decide who will reign the day. Little kids especially enjoy this and participants are great to make the event kid friendly.
Food, Fun, and Western Vibes
During the event, chuck wagons gather at Clabough’s Campground for a 3-day festival featuring an intimate dinner concert, cowboy church, and their annual cookoff competition.
These chuck wagons are authentic reproductions of the traditional mobile kitchens used to feed hungry cowboys on the open prairie during cattle drives, and the cooks use authentic ingredients and traditional cooking methods to create their hearty, delicious food.
I saw mostly cast iron for the open cooking, and a lot was our favorite cast iron, Lodge Cast Iron. All the food is prepared with traditional ingredients provided by the festival, and there are prizes and awards in areas like most authentic wagons and food categories like meat, potatoes, bread, beans, and dessert.
The real winners of this festival, though, are the attendees. Everywhere visitors look, they’ll see chuck wagons that look like they’re straight out of a Western, and the cooks and drivers look much the same, sporting authentic Western attire appropriate to the era.
The smells of meats, vegetables, and sauces float through the air, and there are plenty of chances to enjoy the amazing food.
Of course, the entertainment is top-notch, as well, with dinner performances and live music under the big tent.
Enjoy the Chuck Wagon Cookoff
If you’re planning a trip to Pigeon Forge or the general area in early March, be sure to make the Chuck Wagon Cookoff part of your itinerary. The weather may be cold, but the food and the entertainment are hot! It’s a one-of-a-kind outdoor cooking event that you won’t want to miss, and you won’t soon forget!
2026 Cookoff and Weekend Events
Even if you can’t secure lunch tickets, don’t think it won’t be a fun day. But it’s not just one day – it’s a full weekend.
The fun begins on Friday night with a special guest, Barry Corbin, known for his roles in Lonesome Dove, Northern Exposure, and Urban Cowboy.
From mypigeonforge.com:
An Intimate Evening Dinner Concert with Barry Corbin and Jeff Carson takes place Friday, March 6, at 6 p.m. at Mama’s Farmhouse (208 Pickel Street). Tickets ($50 each) include dinner and the show. Corbin also headlines in the big tent at Clabough’s Campground (405 Wears Valley Road) on Saturday, March 7, at 12:30 p.m. Corbin will share career stories and answer audience questions during the free event. Seating is first-come, first-served.
Here’s more fun ideas for Saturday.
- Barry Corbin’s Saturday appearance where he answers questions about his career in Lonesome Dove and Northern Exposure
- Saturday’s free family-friendly activities begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at 2 p.m.
- Attendees can enjoy the Buckaroo Roundup activities with Cal Farley’s Children’s Home
- An old-time Western shootout reenactment with the Dead Tree Desperados and the Shadow Riders
- Tours of the Sisters on the Fly Cowgirl Caravan vintage campers
- From 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. under the big tent, attendees will enjoy Western poetry and storytelling
Known for his roles in Lonesome Dove and Urban Cowboy, Barry Corbin also starred in television’s Northern Exposure, earning an Emmy nomination for his portrayal of Maurice Minnifield. Photo courtesy of Barry Corbin.
The Chuck Wagon Cookoff competition takes place on Saturday, March 7, at Clabough’s Campground with 10 wagons vying for cash prizes. Each wagon can submit food entries in five categories: meat, potatoes, beans, bread, and dessert. “Cookies,” as those preparing the food are called, must use only ingredients that would have been available to their predecessors on the Western prairie’s early American cattle drives.
The event concludes on Sunday, March 8, with Cowboy Church at Stages West (2765 Parkway). Breakfast (tickets are $5) is served at 8:30 a.m. followed by a morning service at 10 a.m.
Find all ticket and more info at MYPIGEONFORGE.COM/events/cookoff
Saturday’s free family-friendly activities begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at 2 p.m. Attendees can enjoy the Buckaroo Roundup activities with Cal Farley’s Children’s Home, an old-time Western shootout reenactment with the Dead Tree Desperados and the Shadow Riders, and tours of the Sisters on the Fly Cowgirl Caravan vintage campers. From 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. under the big tent, attendees will enjoy Western poetry and storytelling.
Judging The Food Entries in 2025
I was asked to be a judge for this event and of course couldn’t turn it down. I know – what a tough assignment.
Before judging, I had a chance to visit the booths and speak to the cooks and watch the preparation. Everything looked wonderful and although many seemed to be prepared kind of like, in the end, there were so many different finished products.
The bread category I judged had from a traditional biscuit to a light, fluffy loaf type. We were given a judging sheet, but not specific guidelines. All was delicious so it was just kind of to our own taste.
There was another judge and we agreed on the winner.
This cherry cobbler looked wonderful, and delicious, but I did end up judging the bread division, which isn’t bad either.
Watching those biscuits baking on an open fire, mostly in an iron skillet or dutch oven, made me so hungry.
The categories to judge included: Meat, Potatoes, Bread, Beans, and Dessert
Any of these categories would have been ok with me to judge. I did have a full plate of food to try before judging and I made sure I got the cherry cobbler. By this time, I knew the category I was judging, so I didn’t get any bread to eat.
All food had to be prepared onsite and using only the ingredients provided to the teams. Additional condiments were allowed at the cook’s discretion. Rules were provided prior to the competition. You did see a lot of butter and lard – great ingredients for an authentic taste.
Along with the cookoff competition, there were also cash prizes for the most authentic wagon set up.
A Few More Photos about the Chuck Wagon Cookoff
Part of the entertainment including music and storytelling
Vendors will be on site such as Skyland Ranch. This mini horse knew how to entertain.
Even the kids join in on the fun. I always ask permission to take a child’s photo.
The Campground is just a few blocks off the Parkway and offers free parking during the event.
If I didn’t already have plans for the weekend of this event, I would go back to enjoy the fun and food. Maybe next year.
Another point about visiting the Pigeon Forge area at this time of year, Dollywood hasn’t opened for the new season yet, so crowds are less to deal with. Not as much traffic or lines to get into attractions and restaurants.
Take advantage of this to visit The Island as well.
A Few More Ideas Around Pigeon Forge
Eating at Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen
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Happy Travels,
Rosemary
