Published: August 01, 2006 01:28 pm      

Texas Redneck Games move to Alto this weekend

ALTO — The 2006 edition of the Texas Redneck Games are packing up and headed south this weekend to the Shiloh Ridge Off-Road Park in Alto.

In previous years, the Redneck Games were held at the Rabbit Creek ATV-RV Park in Kilgore, but owner of Rabbit Creek and creator of the Redneck games, Oscar Still, said he moved the games to Shiloh Ridge because the event had out-grown his park.

“As many people that are coming to it now, I’ve got to have more room,” said Still, who expects 8,000 to 10,000 people at this year’s games. “Shiloh Ridge park is a large venue, and they’ve got a bigger camp ground. That’s the reason I moved it down there.”

The Texas Redneck Games, which take place on Saturday, will be in conjunction with Shiloh Ridge’s third annual Texas Truck “Off-Road Shootout,” which will be on Sunday.

Saturday’s Redneck games include a “Starter Toss,” “Mudpit Belly Buster” contest, a “Spam-eating” contest, and other “Redneck” related games.

There are no entry fees for the games, but contestants should enter at 8 a.m. on Saturday, with the games beginning at 10 a.m.

Still said he started the games because he thought it would be fun.

“I just started it a couple of years ago on a whim,” Still said. “I just thought it would be a fun thing to try, and it’s really turned into a big deal.”

Sunday’s Texas Truck “Off-Road Shootout” will feature an “X-treme Truck Hill Challenge” at 10 a.m., the “Tuff Truck Track” at 1 p.m., and the “Tuff Truck Tug-O-War” contest at 4 p.m.

The registration fee for the “Off-Road Shootout” is $20 per truck, per event with a 100 percent payback to first, second, and third place. Registration for the events will be at 7:30 a.m. Sunday.

Along with the games and off-road challenges, the event will also feature entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights. Kyle Hunt will perform at 8 p.m., followed by Bob-O and The Mojo’s at 10:30 p.m. on Friday. On Saturday night, Mark Cooke and Cooke County Line will start the evening entertainment at 6 p.m., followed by B’Ann Grant at 8 p.m. and Kevin Fowler at 10:30 p.m.

Gate admission for the weekend is $20 per person, $15/ATV and $15/ORV. RV hookups are available by reservation only.

Still said if people are looking to have a good time, Shiloh Ridge is the place to be this weekend.

“It’s just a fun event,” Still said. “It’s just a blast.”

For more information about the Texas Redneck Games or the Texas Truck “Off-Road” Shootout, call (903) 984-8257. For more information about Shiloh Ridge, call (800) 432-3965.