If a hearty chuck wagon meal cooked on an open fire, cowboy-style entertainment, western art and collectibles, and low-cost kid friendly fun sounds like a big time to you, you best make plans to spend the last Saturday in February. The 3rd Annual Cowboy Country Round Up is February 25 at the Medina County Fair Grounds in Hondo and promises to provide a fun-filled day of western-themed family-friendly entertainment and activities for a price anyone can afford.

You will not find a better opportunity to experience the very best chuck wagon cooking, prove you have what it takes to win the jalapeno eating contest and give the young ones a chance to ride a sheep in the Mutton Busting Contest. Jeff Diles, past-president of the event, says, “It’s definitely worth the trip from anywhere in Texas!”

Each year the Medina County Fair Grounds is transformed into Cowboy Country for a full day of unique, family-friendly activities. There is something for everyone, cowboy or not, at the Round Up. Round Up activities center around authentic chuck wagons from across the state competing for cash prizes in multiple cooking categories in the annual Chuck Wagon Round Up. Cowboy sized portions of country-fried steak, beans, potatoes, bread, and cobbler all cooked over a wood fire are on the menu. Teams bring their chuck wagons and prepare authentic western cuisine with nothing but shear determination, cast-iron cookware and open fires. Meal ticket holders are served cowboy-sized portions of delicious viddles from the wagon of their choice.

New this year is a Songwriters’ Round Up where songwriters from around the nation will gather to perform their latest and greatest music. Other new highlights for the 2012 CCRU include a horseshoe & washer pitching tournament, mechanical bull rides, and new kids’ activities and demonstrations.

Everything from unique metal art and handmade jewelry to locally-crafted mesquite furniture and hand-tooled leather items will be offered by our top-quality vendors. Nowhere else will you find this combination of artistry and craftsmanship.

So, plan to ‘cowboy up’ and come on out to ‘God’s Country’ for a full day of food, fun and friendly western atmosphere that you can’t beat, even with a genuine cast iron skillet! Contact the Hondo Area Chamber of Commerce at 830-426-3037 for information or visit us on the web at www.collegeforcowboys.org.