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 organization. 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.

Preserving History, The Future of the Wooden Wheel Wagon will be held on August 14-15, 2026 in Granbury, Texas. Check under News tab for more information! Go to the Store tab to purchase your tickets to attend or if wish to pay using a check or money order, can mail your payment into ACWA, P O Box 626, Belton, Texas 76513. If paying with check or money order, please put into the Memo field, ACWA Conference.

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View From the Trail ~

Message from ACWA President Scott Tibbets

May 2026

Greetings from the lid,
Spring storms are upon us. I hope and pray everyone has avoided the troubling storms that seem to always arise as spring barrels its way into the year. Here, we have avoided the brunt of the storms but our neighbors to the north in Springtown and Mineral Wells have not been as fortunate. Our own Chisolm Trail Outdoor Museum in Cleburne had damage from a storm that passed directly over the grounds. I know there are many other areas affected outside of North Texas. Prayers to all those affected.

At times, I find it difficult to pick a “topic” for my monthly message. I often question the message and even the way I deliver it. It is difficult to pick only one topic. It is hard to determine enough is enough. Is it my soapbox or am I just rambling.? I hope not. I hope the messages help, inspire, promote or even cause each of you to stop and think about the reason you are so drawn to the chuck wagon.

Years ago, while on the Board, we discussed why we do what we do. My answer then, and now, is the same. People and Places. I have met the most amazing people and been to some of the best places. All while chasing this chuck wagon dream. If you think back, what got your attention? What or who inspired you? Someone or something piqued your interest. Was it a family member, a friend, an event, a picture, a movie or a book? Did John Wayne’s Cowboys make you ask who Roscoe Lee Brown is? Most will not recognize that name but if I asked you, “who Mr. Nightlinger was”, you would immediately know that answer. Would you say Lonesome Dove best depicts the image we all have of life on the trail? What was a “free grazer”? Did Taylor Sheridan get it right in 1883? I could go on and on. Is it the dream of the Old West? Each of us has that question and each of us has our own answer.

People and Places. That is why. While writing this, I am thinking of times and places. Recent and past. This week we have chuck wagons and crews set up on the Kansas plains, braving the storms, gathering cattle and feeding cowboys. While at the same time, a chuck wagon sits in a giant parking lot, Dallas, sweltering heat, answering questions about the past and feeding “NOT” cowboys. Does that not make your head spin and give you a little belly laugh? I am also reminiscing about a recent visit in Llano, TX with Shirley Creacy. A rain soaked, cold, blustery day.

A bowl of peach cobbler and a smile in my heart. There is something about this thing we do. These people we meet and spend time with. The chuck wagon has brought all of this to me. I am forever grateful for the people and places.

I look forward to hearing from all of you and seeing you down the trail!

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.