Texas Blowout to cook out Cocheo Park for OKC

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Wesley Carter
  • 30th Space Wing Public Affairs
Barbecue, prizes, competition and fun for the entire family will be the theme for this year's Texas Blowout Barbecue which is scheduled to happen Aug. 24 at Cocheo Park from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Texas Blowout, the largest fundraiser for Operation Kids Christmas, will play host to a multitude of games for kids and adults.

The fundraiser will add some spark to the squadron events this year. Squadrons participating in certain events, like the cow chip toss, will be competing for a traveling trophy, said Capt. Choate Wilson, a 392nd Training Squadron senior instructor in space operation training.

Children will not be bored at the blowout due to over 12 all-day activities like musical chairs, face painting, a rock wall and a base fire truck.

Adults shouldn't feel left out; besides the squadron activities there will be a chili cook off, a motorcycle, truck and car show, a bake show, and a silent auction, with proceeds going to OKC.

"The money that is raised from the Texas Blowout is so important to OKC," said Capt. John Langshaw, the 392nd TRS chief of the training development element. "It allows OKC and Team Vandenberg to help over 200 local children have a very memorable holiday experience."

The barbecue, which started in 1988, is more family oriented this year than ever before, said Captain Wilson.

"If you have a family of eight you will still pay the same price as a family of four. It's really a great chance to have great barbecue and to have fun with your family," Captain Wilson said.

Tickets for the event include lunch and drinks and kids games. Ticket cost $6 for singles and $11 for families for staff sergeant and below; and $8 for singles and $15 for families of technical sergeants and above. Non-military members will be charged the same as a technical sergeant.

For more information on volunteering to help with Texas Blowout, contact Captain Choate Wilson at 605-8239 or Captain John Langshaw at 606-3037.