2026 Officers & Board

Scott Tibbets, President (Weatherford, TX)
Bart Saucier, V.P. (Sparta, TN)
Becky Conway, Secretary (Cambridge, KS)
Leon Fischer, Treasurer (Chattanooga, OK)
Mark Day, Director (Conway, MO)
Justin Jackson, Director (Howe, OK)
Jon Pugh, Director (Cleburne, TX)
Homer Robertson, Director (Granbury, TX)
David Sneed, Director (Flippin, AR)

Ray Schmid, President, Mid-America Satellite Chapter (West Alexandria, OH)

Maribeth Sexton, Admin Assistant

ACWA Contact Info:
ACWA, P O Box 626, Belton, Texas 76513
Email: acwa@chuckwagon.org
Phone: 940-532-1788

Business Card Roundup

*Clicking on some of the business cards will re-direct you to their business site.

Everyone is Welcome at the Wagon!

You have found the online home of the American Chuck Wagon Association, a 501c3. Our focus is to preserve the heritage of the Chuck Wagon.

A chuck wagon continues to be an iconic symbol of the great cattle driving era in the American West. This group is dedicated to preserving the history of the chuck wagon and the cooking methods used over a century ago. Those same methods and recipes are used today by many of the award-winning chuck wagon cooks that you can meet at various chuck wagon events.

Mission Statement

To preserve the heritage of the Chuck Wagon.

The American Chuck Wagon Association started out as a small group of Old West enthusiasts and has expanded to world wide association preserving the American past through competitions, demonstrations, charity and school events and other venues.

The conference, Preserving the Heritage of the Wooden Wheel Wagon was a great success! Thanks to all who brought their wagons as well as to the great speakers! A survey was sent to all who attended, so please take the time to complete the survey to give us feedback for the next one!

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View From the Trail ~

Message from ACWA President Scott Tibbets

October 2026

Greetings from the Lid,
Alive and well! If this month’s message has a meaning, it is that the chuck wagon and chuck wagon cooking is alive and well. And rain is in the forecast along with cooler temperatures. Blessings to all. We need the rain and I hope and pray the storms produce only rain and cooler weather for all of you.
Alive and well. Why would that be the highlight of my message? Results count. The wagon convention in Granbury proved the interest is still there and ever growing. The large turnout at the Texas Cowboy Symposium, new wagons, youth cookoff, and old friends provide proof that our art is being instilled in the next generation(s).
We had the awesome privilege of taking the next step with our grandsons (9 years old and 5 years old) while our granddaughter (20 months old) watched right next to the action. These kids are now all in and asked, “when can we cook again.” Listening to my nine-year-old grandson tell everyone about the wagon, the how to, and how “not to,” reassures me that the interest and curiosity are growing within our youth. The high school kids jumped in and set their sights on preparing the perfect steak to be judged. For high school aged kids to be able to do something without their phone in their hands is a major accomplishment. Congratulations to all who participated! Hopefully, they all look forward to the next time and anticipate the next opportunity to gain valuable “lessons from the lid.” I have no doubt this tradition was carried on in Clarendon. Thank you to all the event hosts who dedicated time for the youth in our communities to experience our art throughout the country.
Alive and growing…is an understatement of most wagon camps and teams. Teams are made up of family, friends and part-time historians infected with the curse of the wagon. Personally, our team is made up of family. Husbands, wives, children, and family members always seem to be willing to chase this curse of a dream. Our children are primed and ready to step out on their own. They understand the commitment and effort needed to carry on the mysterious craft we love so much. They’re ready but don’t realize it. This weekend, I saw old friends and met new ones. Met countless people who “had no idea” we cooked on the ground. Used real fire, coals, skillets, and Dutch ovens to create the culinary cuisine they would soon sample. They have no idea how proud we are of our wagons and take immense pride in everything we do when the fly is stretched, and the fires are roaring.
We owe ourselves an at-a-boy or pat on the back from time to time. We are carrying on a tradition. We are living a dream of the 1870s…We are preserving the heritage of the Chuck wagon.
The challenge has always been there. How do we convey our knowledge and traits to the next generation? We support, teach and help. Our grandsons tried extremely hard but did not “win” this weekend. They poured their hearts into everything. What they did not understand is that while they may not have “won” this weekend, all of us did. We had the chance, the precious time, and the ability to share our love for them. I truly believe winning is much more than hearing your name called. Trying and effort trump the opinion of the judges. They won, we won and I know the chuck wagon won.
Now, if we can only teach the “youth” to clean up and load out, our mission will be accomplished.

Scott

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You can promote your business with ACWA! Whether you want to promote your event, wagon, or catering business, click on the RESOURCES tab at the top of the page for more information.

2026 Chuck Wagon Events

Click on EVENTS tab at the top of the page for information on how you can participate or attend a chuck wagon event near you.

The American Chuck Wagon Association is happy to provide assistance to anyone wishing to host a chuck wagon competition, gathering or sampling. We have compiled tips and suggestions for successful cook offs; there are sample forms for food judging; youth competition forms and tally sheets to help you get started. If you would like to request these forms, have questions or would simply like to visit with someone about your plans, feel free to contact us through email or contact one of the directors.