OKLAHOMA CITY – The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum will host the 33rd Annual Chuck Wagon Festival, a celebration of Western and Native American food and culture, on May 25 – May 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The festival offers Chuck Wagon and Native American food samples rustled up over the campfire, Western tales and musical acts from Oklahoma Opry live on stage, and numerous family-friendly activities as well as the chance to explore The Cowboy Museum, both indoors and outdoors on the stunning grounds.
“We share stories of the American West every day here at The Cowboy, but Chuck Wagon Festival is special,” said Pat Fitzgerald, Museum President and CEO. “It’s a chance to experience the historical American West at a can’t-miss Memorial Day weekend event, perfect for all ages.”
The Chuck Wagon cooks, many of them longtime festival participants, are traveling to the Museum from four states to share their tastes of traditional cowboy cooking. In addition, Native American cooking demonstrations will offer guests the chance to learn more about the history of Native foods.
The festival will include a petting zoo, face painting, Western storytellers, leather stamping, archery, ropemaking, craft stations, artist demonstrations, Western dancing and more. This year’s festivities will also feature a Seminole and Cherokee fur trader camp with reenactors in period 1700s-era clothing.
John R. Erickson, author of the popular “Hank the Cowdog” children's book series, will also be on hand for a talk and book signing on Saturday, May 25.
Admission is $15 per person in advance and $20 per person at the door. It’s free for Museum members and children 12 and under.
Tickets can be purchased at nationalcowboymuseum.org/chuckwagon.
Yearly family memberships for the Museum start at $90. Families may purchase a membership and then enjoy the festival for free.
Foster families can attend for free thanks to the Arnall Family Foundation.
All crafts and activities are free with admission, except food from The Museum Grill and souvenirs from the Persimmon Hill store.
The Dogwood Foundation returns as the presenting sponsor for the event. Other event sponsors include Ben E. Keith Foods, Kings Worldwide Transportation, P&K Equipment, Schwab Meat Co. and Shawnee Milling Company.
For more information, visit nationalcowboymuseum.org/chuckwagon.