Prepare for nine days of unforgettable experiences as the 39th Annual National Championship Chuckwagon Races kick off this Saturday, Aug. 24, at the Bar of Ranch in Clinton. Attendees can look forward to a variety of events, including barrel racing, bull and bronc riding, trail riding, a local vendor market, and more.
This annual tradition, held every Labor Day since 1986 at Dan and Peggy Eoff’s ranch, attracts an estimated 20,000 visitors each year. If you can’t make it to the races in person, you can catch every race on The Chuckwagon Channel.
The event also features live concerts with a lineup of world-class country artists, including Lorrie Morgan, Lee Roy Parnell, Jake Worthington, Tyler Halverson, and Jake Hooker.Click here to see the full live music schedule.
General admission tickets are $40 per day for adults and $20 for children ages 6-12 from Aug. 24 to Aug. 31. On Sunday, Sept. 1, tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children ages 6-12. Tickets can be purchased at the gate, located at the main entrance at 2484 Shake Rag Rd.
Camping options are available on the Bar of Ranch. Primitive (non-RV) camping without horses is free, while RV camping is available from Wednesday, Aug. 28, to Sunday, Sept. 1, for $75. Additional days can be added for $10 each. Equine camping is also offered, but out-of-state campers with horses must bring health papers for entry. Be sure to review the camping rules [here] to ensure a safe stay.
For those staying off the ranch, lodging information can be found [here]. Many local hotels and inns offer special discounts for National Championship Chuckwagon Race attendees, according to the event’s website.
Wagon riders turn a corner in the Mule Race at the 31st National Championship Chuck Wagon Races.
The tentative 2024 Schedule of Events is as follows:
Some events and times are subject to change, keep up with changes on the website.
Saturday, Aug. 24:
- 8 a.m. – Gates open for general admission
- 6 p.m. – Mini Bull & Bronc Riding and Mini Barrel Racing begins at the arena
- 8 p.m. – Lucky Draw Band at the Bunkhouse
Sunday, Aug. 25:
- 9 a.m. – Horse Drive at the arena
- 11 a.m. – Cowboy Church at the arena
- 1 p.m. – Donkey Drive at the arena
- 2 p.m. – Bucking Horse Futurity at the arena
- 6:30 p.m. – Girls-only (must be 18 to ride)Trail Ride at the arena
- 8 p.m. – Maximum Overdrive & The Mississippi Blues Queen at the Bunkhouse
Monday, Aug. 26:
- 10 a.m. – Poker Run on Horseback at the Bunkhouse
- 2 p.m. – Trail Ride to Brickey Fort (Riders and Wagons) at the arena
- 7 p.m. – Live Action Bulls & Broncs (Round 1) at the arena
- 7:45 – Calcutta at the arena
- 8:15 p.m. – Live Action Bulls & Broncs (Round 2) at the arena
Tuesday, Aug. 27:
- 9 a.m. – Team Roping at the arena
- 3 p.m. – Trail Ride to Town (Horses and wagons) at Bottom Barn
- 5 p.m. – Fish Fry at City Park
- 7 p.m. – Karaoke at Bunkhouse
- 8:30 p.m. – Lighted Wagon Train (1 hour ranch ride)
Wednesday, Aug. 28:
- 9 a.m. – Mule Clinic by PAIR-A-DICE MULES at the arena
- 10 a.m – Trail Ride to Clinton Schools to THREE-STAR DANCE HALL (Horses & Wagons) at Bottom Barn
- 12 p.m. – Chuckwagon BBQ at Dance Hall
- 2:30 p.m. – Auction: Bit, Spur, Collectibles & Used Tack at Bunkhouse
- 4 p.m. – Sled Pull: Horses & Mules (4 divisions) at the arena
- 8 p.m. – Lorrie Morgan & Lee Roy Parnell at Hotel
Thursday, Aug. 29:
- 8 a.m. – Extreme Trail Ride (approximately four hours, no wagons) at the arena
- 1 p.m. – Chuckwagon Races: rookie qualifying races and pasture roping
- 4 p.m. – Team sorting, Barrel race (enter between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m., open to campers and contestants only) at the arena
- 6 p.m. – Chase Outlaw’s “Chuck ‘n Buck” at the track
- 9 p.m. – Jake Worthington at 9 p.m. at Hotel
Friday, Aug. 30:
- 11 a.m. – Pre-Show: Wagon Introductions at the track
- 1 p.m. – Chuckwagon Race (first performance)
- 4 p.m. – Mules Only Competition at the arena
- 6:15 p.m. – Camper’s Ranch Rodeo at the arena
- 6:30 p.m. – Wagon Calcutta at the pavilion
- 6:30 p.m. – Chuckwagon Camp Cook-Off at the pavilion
- 7:30 p.m. – Dance Competition at the saloon
- 9 p.m. – Tyler Halverson at the hotel
Saturday, Aug. 31:
- 9 a.m. – Horse Auction & Elite Branded Equine Sale at the arena
- 11 a.m. – Pre-Show: Pasture Roping Finals at the track
- 1 p.m. – Chuckwagon Race (second performance) at the track
- 5 p.m. – Kids Ranch Rodeo at the arena
- 6 p.m. – Bluegrass music at the hotel
- 8 p.m.- Jake Hooker at the hotel
- 8 p.m. – Dance with Mike Johnson Band at Buffalo Rock
Sunday, Sept. 1:
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- 9 a.m. – Non-Denominational Church Services at Announcer’s Stand
- 9 a.m. – Cowboy Church at the arena
- 11 a.m. – Pre Show: Pony Express Race & Kids Pony Race at the track
- 1 p.m. – Chuckwagon Race (final performance) at the track
- Awards ceremony will take place at the saloon an hour after the final race.
To learn more about the history of the National Championship Chuckwagon Races, click here, and to keep up with this year’s event, visit its Facebook page.
