Wild Game Dinner: “The biggest event Del Rio has”

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Ashley Wolfe
  • 47th Flying Training Wing public affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Dec. 4 marked Del Rio's 21st Annual Wild Game Dinner. About 1,700 people attended what John Campbell, president of Laughlin's Military Affairs Association, said is "the biggest event Del Rio has."

The Wild Game Dinner started off as an idea at a tailgate party more than 20 years ago.

This event involves the entire community whether for planning purposes or volunteers. Laughlin members played a large part in the event by volunteering time to cook 75 10-pound turkeys, take tickets, help the overflow crowd find seats and serve food.

"It brings the whole city and every piece of the community together," said Campbell. "Del Rio is a great community. We don't give as much as we get back."

A major aspect of the evening was the meal, which involved various types of wild game, beans and chili.

"We cook the world's greatest brisket," said Tod Townsend, of the Del Rio Chamber special projects committee and MAA.

Townsend was in charge of cooking the pulled pork for the event.

The pulled pork was not Townsend's only success of the evening. He walked away with three guns and two door prizes.

His secret?

"Buy lots of tickets. I put in 452 this year," said Townsend.

The Del Rio Chamber of Commerce special projects committee buys the guns every year then donates them to the event. The committee has raffled off around 100 guns a year for over 20 years.

"It's all about hunting. In order to hunt you need a gun," said Campbell.

Hunting is one of the cornerstones of the Del Rio economy and culture, as hunters flock to the region to hunt deer and other exotic animals.

Saturday's event went without a hitch, said Townsend.

"I love it. It is the example of why this city is so great," said Col. Michael Frankel, 47th Flying Training Wing commander, to summarize the evening.