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Wagon races may returnBy Jeremiah JohnkeWyoming Tribune-Eagle October 2006 CHEYENNE - A group from Canada has met with Cheyenne Frontier Days officials about the possibility of chuckwagon races returning for the 111th "Daddy of 'em All." CFD General Chairman Charlie West said the General Committee listened to the proposal Monday from members of The Canadian Professional Chuckwagon Association. However, there are a number of factors left to be considered before welcoming the chuckwagons back to Cheyenne. "We heard their presentation, and they left us some information to review and a proposal to look at," West said. "We haven't concluded our discussions as a committee. We're looking at all sorts of options. "They'd be a big hit if we brought it back. But there are a lot of things to consider before we decide whether to bring them back." The primary variable, West said, is finding a way to fit the races into the current rodeo lineup without adding time to the afternoon schedule that typically eclipses three hours. The Canadian Professional Chuckwagon Association told the committee that it would need 45 minutes to complete its daily races. But CFD needs time to clean the stands and set up the stage for night shows after each day's rodeo, West said. He added that CFD officials have been examining tapes of the past few years' rodeos to see if there is any way to speed up the performances while maintaining the current 1,600-contestant field. "People have come to expect Frontier Days to be a big rodeo with a big payout and to bring in great night show acts," West said. "We're going to do everything we can to maintain the integrity of the event. "The rodeo is our No. 1 priority, and everything else is secondary. If we can find a way to bring the wagons back, we certainly want to do that." The races feature six four-horse teams that are followed by two outriders as they race around barrels. The last time the chuckwagon races were at CFD, about eight years ago, they took place in the main arena. Canadian Professional Chuckwagon Association President Dale Hawryliw said he has gotten a warm reception from Cheyenne residents when he has told them about his visit and his desire to return chuckwagon races to CFD. "The locals want the wagons back, and we'd like to come back," Hawryliw said. "We heard from people before we came down here and even after we've been down here. "People have been very receptive to what we're doing. It's exciting, it's dangerous and it's one helluva sport. If you've never seen it, there's really no explaining it." Hawryliw said he hopes to hear back within six weeks so his group can finalize its schedule for next season. The most recent slate for the chuckwagons featured 10 regular stops and a special trip to the Calgary Stampede. The Stampede is outside the regular schedule and takes the top half of the Canadian Professional Chuckwagon Association's membership and pits it against the World Professional Chuckwagon Association's best racers. "We're really happy Frontier Days was open to hearing what we had to say, and we hope they decide to bring us back," Hawryliw said. Added West: "We're certainly happy the chuckwagon folks came and talked to us. It would add an element that Frontier Days has been missing, but I'm not sure if we can find a way to fit it in for 2007. "That doesn't mean we're not going to examine all of our options or that the wagons aren't going to return." spt3@wyomingnews.com Originally published at the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle | |
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