NECHES —
Hundreds to possibly thousands of people will be flocking to Diamond B Ranch this weekend for “The 1836 Chuck Wagon Race” Texas Independence Day Weekend event.
“We’re celebrating Texas history — March 2 is Texas Independence Day — and we are trying to promote cowboy culture,” Diamond B Ranch owner Moon Swanson said Friday. “We have people from all over Texas coming as well as Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, Nebraska, Montana and even a family from Australia.”
Gates to the event opened up Wednesday on the 400-acre Diamond B Ranch. Three days of chuckwagon races sanctioned by the National Championship Chuckwagon Race and the Texas Chuckwagon Racing Association will kick off today and continue through Sunday.
Wagon divisions include: Classic, Buckboard, Oklahoma Landrush, 4up Mules and Big Mules.
Other activities include Bronc Fann’n, Pasture Team Rope’n, The Alamo Race and Cowboy Mounted Shooting.
“We have about 300 people out here so far. We could have as many as 2,500 to 5,000 chuckwagons rolling in by the minute,” Swanson said. “If you want to see good wagon racing, that’s what they are here for.”
A plethora of activities for chuckwagon teams, as well as for the general public are planned ranging from camping, dutch oven biscuit cooking classes, daily trail rides, horse pull plow and shoeing demonstrations, hoof care clinics, live music and dummy roping for the kids.
Because this is a horse and wagon event, no ATVs or 4-wheelers are allowed. Ample parking for horse trailers and RVs are available. Negative Coggins papers are required at the front gate. Vendors are available to sell food — including chuckwagon food — as well as a variety of items ranging from western tack, saddles, chaps and chinks.
Admission is $20 a day. Cost is $10 a day for children ages 12 and under.
Diamond B Ranch is located at 11589 FM 321 in Neches. From Palestine, take Texas 155 to FM 321 and take a right. The ranch is located two miles down, where a Diamond B Ranch gate will be visible on the left.
For more information, contact Swanson at 903-721-9111 or visit 1836chuckwagonrace.com or e-mail 1836chuckwagonrace@gmail.com
Here is a full schedule of events:
TODAY
8 a.m. — Trail ride. Meet at farm store.
9 a.m. — Horse pulled plow demonstration, garden
10 a.m. — Cowboy mounted shooting clinic
11 a.m. — Bull whip demonstration, main stage
1 p.m. — First performance Chuckwagon Race
4 p.m. — Feedlot Sorting Competition, corral
6 p.m. — Calcutta Auction, barn.
7 p.m. — Live music by Tin Top Road followed by Bulletproof
SATURDAY
8 a.m. — Trail Ride. Meet at farm store
9 a.m. — Horse pulled plow demonstration, garden
10 a.m. — Cowboy mounted shooting clinic
Noon — Grand Entry Texas Independence!
1 p.m. — Second performance Chuckwagon Race
5 p.m. — Horse auction, corral
7 p.m. — Live music by Kimberly Dunn Band followed by Adam Brown & The Tripple Crown Band
SUNDAY
8 a.m. — Trail Ride. Meet at farm store
10 a.m. — Cowboy Church, barn
1 p.m. — Third performance Chuckwagon Race
4 p.m. — Awards presentation, barn
7 p.m. — Music in barn
MONDAY
Noon — Gates close
Local News
Diamond B Ranch hosting Chuck Wagon Race this weekend
- Local News
-
-
Healthy cooking program offered
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Palestine is offering a four-week program starting this Thursday to help diabetics make healthy cooking choices.
-
Steps of Faith Dance Center production Saturday
Steps of Faith Dance Center will hold its annual production at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Palestine Civic Center.
“We’re going to take you to a land far away and tell you the ‘real’ story of some of your favorite fairy tale characters,” Steps of Faith Dance Center owner Jennifer Ballew said. “The production is full of lively fun music, a reminiscing ol’ Granny, and of course the incredible dancing of several talented students.” -
Chamber sets photo contest
The Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking shutterbugs to participate in its second annual photo contest — portraying structures, landmarks and memorable locations in the Palestine/Anderson County area.
-
Memorial Day celebration set Saturday
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3907 will hold a Memorial Day celebration on Saturday featuring barbecue, live music, an auction and more.
-
Longview man injured in motorcycle wreck
A Longview man remained in fair condition in a Tyler hospital Monday following a one-vehicle motorcycle wreck Friday near Montalba on Texas 19.
-
Traffic stop leads to arrest
A Palestine man remained in jail Monday on drug-related charges following a suspicious vehicle stop in Anderson County on Saturday.
According to Sheriff Greg Taylor, while on patrol in the early morning hours on Saturday, deputy Johnny Gorden saw a suspicious vehicle sitting on the side of U.S. 287 between Palestine and Elkhart. -
Residents urged to welcome back local troops on Wednesday
Palestine area residents are asked to help welcome back the local National Guard troops, which will be coming by bus to the National Guard Armory in Palestine at about 3 p.m. Wednesday.
-
Community invited to welcome back National Guard troops
The community is asked to help welcome back the local National Guard troops, which will be coming by bus to the National Guard Armory in Palestine at about 3 p.m. Wednesday.
-
Texas Area Fund Foundation kicks off new program
The Texas Area Fund Foundation kicked off its newest program — The Action Fund — Thursday evening at an event hosted in the home of Francis and Cad Williams.
-
Police department seeking input from citizens on text alert program
The Palestine Police Department is asking for input from citizens regarding the feasibility of introducing a new communication program call Citizen Observer Tip411, an e-mail and text alert system that would allow for outgoing alerts and information to citizens.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Healthy cooking program offered
Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam
Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge
Weiner Launches Bid to Become NYC Mayor
Okla. Teens Get Video of Deadly Tornado Overhead
Man Shot While Questioned in Boston Probe
School Storm Protection Spotty in Tornado Zones
9-year-old Tornado Victim Loved Family, Singing
Moore Native Toby Keith Tours Tornado Damage
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Okla. City Mayor: Up to 13K Homes Hit by Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London
Paperless Scanner, Vision of the Future
Florida FBI Shooting Has Boston Bombing Links
Garcetti Elected Los Angeles Mayor Over Greuel
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
IRS Official Pleads 5th Amendment
Lawyer: Feds Investigating Susan Powell Case
