The World Champion Squirrel Cookoff is set to return to Springdale on Saturday, September 12, bringing its unique blend of outdoor adventure and culinary competition to the J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Ozark Highlands Nature Center at 3400 N. 40th St. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC), which owns and operates the nature center, has partnered with Ozark personality Joe Wilson to host the event.
“It’s just a natural fit for us to partner with Joe, who started the cookoff in 2012 and always held it right here in northwest Arkansas,” said JJ Gladden, assistant chief of the AGFC’s Education Division. The nature center began hosting the event in 2023, following its post-pandemic reboot. Gladden explained that partnering with the cookoff aligns with the AGFC’s long-standing tradition of teaching Arkansans how to prepare wild game and fish.
The weekend kicks off on Friday afternoon as teams arrive to set up their cooking stations. Final preparations will take place early Saturday, with teams drawing entry numbers before cooking begins at 9 a.m. To qualify, participants must use all-natural, preservative-free, free-range squirrel, a protein often referred to humorously as “limb chicken.”
“You probably aren’t going to see a whole lot of food handouts in that first hour or two because the teams are focused on getting their entry off to a good start,” said Wilson, who founded the event. However, he noted that attendees could expect unique breakfast offerings during the early hours, such as venison chorizo burritos and homemade sausage biscuits. By late morning, teams begin sharing additional dishes with visitors as their entries take shape.
Wilson is also known for offering a variety of specialty foods to attendees, including rabbit, wild boar, alligator, and even tacos made from fried silver carp—a standout hit from last year’s event. “I always try to have something for everyone to enjoy while they’re here celebrating America’s most underrated protein,” Wilson said, referring to squirrel.
In addition to food, the event features a lineup of outdoor educational activities. Guests can explore a new cave simulation trailer or watch a demonstration by the AGFC’s K-9 Unit at 10 a.m., showcasing how the dogs assist in tracking poachers, search-and-rescue missions, and evidence recovery. Indoor activities include child-friendly games and exhibits for those seeking a break from the heat.
The afternoon schedule will include two crowd favorites: the World Champion Squirrel Skinning Contest and the World’s Hottest Squirrel Eating Contest. Participants for both events can register on-site during the festivities.
For a full list of rules, event updates, or information on securing one of the limited remaining team spots, visit the cookoff’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/squirrelcookoff.