It was up early, for David Stribling and Cleveland Hooten, on Thursday morning, as they get ready to go to the National Chuck
Wagon Races, in Clinton, Arkansas, for the Labor Day Weekend. David leads his team, "Fred and Ethel" toward the trailer
for loading.

 

"Wagons Ho!"

Headed for the Chuck Wagon Races

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

 

It was an early morning for the David Stribling Family, of Reilly Springs, on Thursday morning, as they prepared to "pull-out" for their annual trip to the Chuck Wagon Races, in Clinton, Arkansas. The annual races, held on a ranch, outside Clinton, feature an annual attendance in excess of 30,000 people with concerts, shooting demonstrations, a trailride, team penning and sorting, and vendors, in addition to the daily races of the wagons.

Featured entertainers at this year's event include: Jason Boland and the Stragglers, Neal McCoy, Gene Watson, John Anderson, Charla Corn, Paul Harris Comedy, and the Lucky Draw Band.

"It's a lot of fun and great to visit with your friends," explained David Stribling. "We've got to know lots of people and enjoy seeing them every year, as well as all the people from right here in Hopkins County, that attend every year!"

 

 

 

"It's something that everyone needs to do at least once in their lifetime," expressed Debra Stribling. "About the best way to describe the event is it is a 'happening!' People from everywhere that embrace the Western lifestyle come to enjoy the weekend and watch the chuck wagons race. The races are exciting, because you never ever know what is going to happen. With a wagon, a team, and outriders, there is just so many variables, that can happen, to thwart you winning the races, not to even consider the rough terrain that the course goes through!"

 

 

"Besides the above mentioned events, there are horse shoeing clinics, a horse and mule sale, dances, and just about anything you can imagine," inserted David. "It's an entire weekend of fun for everyone!"

The Stribling family left at 7:30 on Thursday morning and have plans to return on Monday, as they take their wagon and team, horses, and the entire family, to enjoy the excitement. "But, they still haven't talked me into racing the wagon!" exclaimed Debra, as she got ready to leave. "I'll just watch and report to everyone about what all happened. I might be a dangerous driver!"

 

 

______