1. The seventh annual Chandler Chuck Wagon Cook-Off – a celebration of 1880s-era Old West chuck wagons – takes place 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at Tumbleweed Park (map) in Chandler.
2. Admission and parking is free.
3. The main event is at noon Saturday, when wagon teams will use slow-cook, wood-fire methods from the 1880s to prepare a five-item meal for a panel of judges.
4. You can purchase the same meal (meat, potatoes, beans, bread, and dessert) for $15. Lunch tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday and always sell out quickly. Info: 480-782-2717.
5. Small plates of chuck wagon food items will available for purchase from Friday: Breakfast (biscuits and gravy, quiche) from 10-11 a.m., lunch (stews and fry bread) from noon-1 p.m., and desserts from 2-3 p.m.
6. All-day activities will include cooking demonstrations, wagon rides, and live music.
7. Other Friday activities: A junior cook-off (10-11:30 a.m.), a wagon authenticity competition (1:30-4:30 p.m.), and a S’mores campfire (6 p.m.).
8. Other Saturday activities: Artisan and vendor marketplace (all day), storytelling and cowboy poetry (all day), and an awards presentation (2:30 p.m.).
