COLBERT COUNTY-Danny Foster is calling the chuckwagon races coming to Seven Springs Lodge May 8-11 the most thrilling sports minute ever seen in the Shoals.
“It’s pure excitement,” said Foster, an owner of the lodge and Rattlesnake Saloon.
“You have chuckwagons pulled by teams of horses or mules running around the track at close to 40 mph at times. The horses and mules are running wide-open and the wagons are wheel-to-wheel. It’s just like NASCAR, where rubbing is racing.”
It takes the racers about 1 minute to make a lap on the dirt track.
Foster said racers from throughout the country are headed to the Shoals for the races. The wagons will compete in a series of elimination races on May 10 and 11. The races at Seven Springs Lodge are sanctioned by the National Championship Chuckwagon Races of Clinton, Ark.
In addition to racing, there will be trail rides, wagon rides, music, a roping competition, mounted shooting exhibition and other activities.
The activities begin Thursday, May 8 with trail rides, karaoke at Rattlesnake Saloon and live music at the race track. Activities on 
Friday, May 9, trail rides, a wagon train ride and live music at the track and at Rattlesnake Saloon.
Racing, an extreme cowboy contest and music at the track and Rattlesnake Saloon are featured on Saturday, May 10. Activities on Sunday, May 11 include Cowboy Church services and racing.
Dan Eoff
“Chuckwagon races are not just about racing. If you have a horse, you need to bring your horse,” said Dan Eoff, founder of the National Championship Chuckwagon Races. “Anyone with a horse can join the rides. There’s also plenty of things to do if you don’t have a horse. It’s going to be fun for everyone who comes out to the races.”
Admission is $25 for the entire weekend. Primitive camping is included with admission,
“I’m getting calls from people in Georgia, Florida, New Mexico and all over the country who say they are coming to the races,” Foster said. “For four days, the largest concentration of horses and mules in the state of Alabama is going to be at Seven Springs Lodge.”
MEDIA RELEASE/COLBERT COUNTY TOURISM/SUSANN HAMLIN DIRECTOR
