09/14/2026
Before the big crowds, the packed fairgrounds, and everything CTW has become, there was a small idea and a whole lot of heart. 💛
Our very first year in 2012, just 5 cook teams showed up. The next year, that number grew to 21 teams, and today, we're regularly welcoming 80–90 teams to the cook-off.
In those early years, we didn't have a vendor market, a car show, mounted shooting, or all of the other pieces that make CTW what it is today. We simply had a handful of teams, a whole lot of volunteers, and a community that was willing to show up for our Heroes. 🎗️
And look at us now. 🥹
What started as a small event has grown into a weekend that brings together cooks, vendors, competitors, car lovers, families, volunteers, and an entire community, all with the same purpose: helping local families facing childhood cancer.
The event has grown. The memories have multiplied. The faces have changed. But why we do it never has. 💛
Here's a little look back at where we started. Some of these photos are old, old. 😂