Del Rio’s Wild Game Dinner set

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Ashley Wolfe
  • 47th Flying Training Wing public affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  One of Del Rio's most anticipated events will take place Dec. 4 at the Del Rio Civic Center.

The 21st annual Wild Game Dinner, hosted by the Del Rio Chamber of Commerce, will start at 5:30 p.m. The food line begins at 6:30 p.m. but early arrival is advised as tables are first come, first serve.

Venison, pork, turkey, black buck, antelope and other wild game will be served. Most of the meat is donated through a local meat market by hunters who only want the trophies of their haul and the rest of the food is purchased at a local grocery store and will be prepared by some of the best chefs Del Rio has to offer, said Tod Townsend a member of the Military Affairs Association.

Deer will be battered, fried and even ground into chili. Pork will be slow cooked and smoked. Turkeys will be deep fried. Pinto beans and all the usual condiments will be complimenting the meals.

The only rules of engagement for this feast will be as follows: Show up at the Del Rio Civic Center Dec. 4 after 5:30 p.m. with a ticket or $20 in your hand then stand in line and pick out all the meat you could ever hope to eat, said Townsend.

"There will be no seconds, but one time through the line should be more than enough," said Townsend. "The options will be so overwhelming I would be shocked if someone would want seconds anyway."

Tickets can be purchased at the door or they can be pre-purchased for the same price at Robert's Jewelers, Drive in Liquor, Sam's Boot Corral, Del Rio Chamber of Commerce and other Del Rio locations.

Entertainment for the event will be more than $50,000 worth of rifles and shotguns being raffled off during the evening. Raffle tickets for the guns can be bought for $1 each at the same locations as event tickets.

You do not have to be present to win if you participate in the raffle. However, the standard background checks will still be performed before prizes are awarded through a local gun shop, said Townsend.

"The Wild Game Dinner is one of the most unique events in the nation. It's a great way for Laughlin members to get a flavor for Del Rio," said Joel Langton, 47th Flying Training Wing chief of public affairs.

Call the Chamber of Commerce at 830-775-3551 or search for their page on facebook under Del Rio Chamber of Commerce.