After a long seven-year absence, Battle of the Rockies is gearing up to once again be home of the World Professional Chuckwagon Association (WPCA) finals.

For many folks, the highly-anticipated event is something of a homecoming says Lillian Hay, president of the Rocky Mountain Chuckwagon Association.

“We have a lot of support from our local businesses, community and surround area— it’s ‘back home'”, she says.

The finals were first hosted in Rocky Mountain House in 2010, with the area serving as the WPCA finals up until 2018. Since 2019, Battle of The Rockies has served as the WPCA semi-finals.

With all the excitement, Hay says ticket sales for Battle of The Rockies is higher than its ever been up to this point.

“We are anticipating a very good turnout for the Battle of the Rockies final,” she says.

The finals were held last year in Ponoka over the Labour Day long weekend, and at Century Downs north of Calgary before that.

Communities bid to be the host year-over-year, says Hay, which is then voted on by WPCA members. Hay adds, the RMCA fully intends to re-up next year.

“We know for sure we’ve got this year— if everyone’s happy, hopefully we get it for longer than [this year]”, says Hay.

The races see participants racing around barrels on a half-mile or three-quarter mile track on a chuckwagon led by four thoroughbred horses— a tradition dating all the way back to 1923.

Another thrilling aspect of the races is the requirement for racers to have a ‘stove’ in their wagons, which is actually a drum that weighs about 10 pounds— an homage to early pioneers’ covered wagons.

Not having the stove in your wagon is actually a penalty, she adds.

Chuckwagon racing at 2023 Battle of The Rockies at North Saskatchewan River Park (Shellie Scott Photography)

Hay adds, the organization is getting interest in tickets from as far away as Saskatoon in the lead-up to the thrilling finals.

“It’s going to be very interesting to see which top 36 make it to Rocky, and which top four will be running for the Dash For Cash,” she says.

While it’s not sold out, Hay recommends people get their tickets right away to avoid disappointment.

The five-day WPCA World Finals, are slated to go Aug. 13-17 at North Saskatchewan River Park. Tickets are available at Henry’s Western Wear, Scotiabank, or by calling 403-845-0591.