Thank you for servingVeterans Day Weekend at Splashway Campground
Smoke on the pits, a patriotic golf cart parade, live music at The Hideaway and a big Texas thank-you to everyone who has served. Bring the family and make a weekend of it.
- Fri–Sun, Nov 6–8, 2026
- Sheridan, Texas
- BBQ & Chili Cook-Off
VETERAN30Everyone saves 30% on select cabins, bunkhouses and RV sites. Our Book buttons apply the code for you.
Active-duty military and veterans: get a Buy One Night, Get One Night Free stay with code MILITARY.
A weekend that salutes our heroes
Veterans Day weekend is one of our favorite traditions at Splashway Campground. Here's what the whole family can look forward to.
BBQ & Chili Cook-Off
Campground teams fire up their pits for brisket, ribs, half chicken, pinto beans, BBQ sauce and chili. Trophies and gift cards are on the line. Cook-off details
Parade & Ceremony
Deck out your golf cart in red, white and blue for our Patriotic Golf Cart Parade, led by our local high school band, then join us at The Hideaway Stage as we honor our veterans.
Live & Local
Live country music at The Hideaway from 6 to 9 PM on Friday with Cody Ray Henry and Saturday with Nathan Colt Young. Grab a table on the patio and stay a while.
Kids' Bake-Off
Calling all little chefs! Kids bake their favorite treat for a chance at a prize. Parents can help with cutting and the oven. For campground guests.
Pie Eating Contest
Only 10 spots at $20 each, and every dollar goes to Boot Campaign in support of veterans. Come hungry. Messy faces encouraged.
Campground Classics
S'mores at the pond, movie nights, bingo, gaga ball, arts & crafts, laser tag, putt putt and patriotic site decorating.
Red, white & you
A few favorite moments from Veterans Day weekend at Splashway Campground.
Weekend schedule
Highlighted rows are Veterans Day weekend specials. Times can change, so check the activity calendar for the latest.
Friday Nov 6
- Check-in opensCook-off teams: pick up turn-in containers at the Camp Store
- Live & Local: Cody Ray HenryThe Hideaway · 6–9 PM · Free
- Arts & CraftsActivity Center · Free
- Laser TagBook at the Camp Store · $12
- Head Cooks MeetingThe Hideaway Stage · One head cook per team required
- S'more NightPond · Free
- Movie Night: An American TailMovie Screen · Stop by the Camp Store to be our Movie Mom
Saturday Nov 7
- Ray's & PraiseFlagpole at Ray's Playground · Prayer, Pledge of Allegiance and Texas Pledge
- Patriotic Golf Cart ParadeLed by our local high school band · Line up at the Adventure Station
- Veterans Day CeremonyThe Hideaway Stage · 11–11:45 AM
- BingoThe Hideaway Stage · Patriotic prizes
- Pinto Bean & Half Chicken turn-inActivity Center
- Pork Ribs turn-in · Kids' Bake-OffActivity Center
- Brisket & BBQ Sauce turn-in · Pie Eating ContestTurn-ins to the Activity Center · Pie contest at The Hideaway Stage
- Chili turn-inActivity Center
- Live & Local: Nathan Colt YoungThe Hideaway · 6–9 PM · Free
- Gaga BallPond · Free
- Patriotic Site DecoratingShow off your best patriotic site · Sign up at the Camp Store
- Laser TagBook at the Camp Store · $12
- AwardsThe Hideaway Stage · Cook-off and site decorating winners
- Movie Night: ValiantMovie Screen · Free
Sunday Nov 8
- Raycation Bible SchoolActivity Center · A scripture-based Sunday lesson for kids
- Cabin & lodging check-outRV check-out is 2 PM
Who can join what
Some of the fun is open to everyone, and some is just for our campground guests.
Open to the public
- Patriotic Golf Cart Parade & Ceremony
- The Hideaway restaurant and live music Friday and Saturday night
- Laser tag and putt putt
Campground guests only
- BBQ & Chili Cook-Off
- Kids' Bake-Off
- Patriotic site decorating
- Arts & crafts, s'mores, movie nights, bingo and gaga ball
Two ways to save on your stay
You don't have to serve to save. Everyone gets 30% off select stays, and our military families get an extra thank-you.
Save 30% on select stays
Use code VETERAN30 on eligible cabins, bunkhouses and RV sites. The Book buttons on this page add the code for you.
- Standard Cabins
- King Cabins
- Creekside Cabins
- Cottages
- Bungalows
- Bunkhouses
- Premium Bunkhouses
- RV Sections B, D & E
Buy one night, get one night free
Book two eligible nights with code MILITARY and the lower-priced night is free. Military verification or a valid military ID is required. Subject to availability.
Cabins & Lodging
Standard, King and Creekside cabins, cottages, bungalows and bunkhouses. A cozy home base steps from the action.
Book lodging
RV Sites
Cook-off teams: your campsite is your cook site. Pull in Friday and have the pit hot by Saturday.
Book an RV siteVacation homes are not included in VETERAN30. See our year-round military discounts. Check-in starts at 3 PM, and each Book button opens our live booking calendar with real availability and pricing.
The Great American BBQ & Chili Cook-Off
Our Veterans Day cook-off is exclusive to campground guests, so book your stay before you register. Cook-off day is Saturday, Nov 7.
Per category. Enter any or all categories. You can cook in every category, but only one entry per category is judged.
Categories: pinto beans, half chicken, pork ribs, BBQ sauce, brisket and chili.
Friday head cooks meeting at The Hideaway Stage. A head cook from each team must attend for rule clarification.
Saturday awards at The Hideaway Stage. The top 10 in each category are posted by the stage after the awards.
Prefer to sign up in person? You can register at the Camp Store up until the day of the event. Fees must be paid in full before or at check-in.
Saturday turn-in times
| Pinto Beans | 1 PM |
|---|---|
| Half Chicken | 1 PM |
| Pork Ribs | 2 PM |
| BBQ Sauce | 3 PM |
| Brisket | 3 PM |
| Chili | 5 PM |
All entries go to the Activity Center. Food delivered after the official turn-in time will not be accepted.
Category winners
Top 3 in each category win trophies plus $200, $150 and $100 Splashway gift cards.
Team Spirit Awards
Three awards for the best site decor, uniforms and character: $75, $50 and $30 gift cards, plus a yard sign for 1st place.
Cooking space & check-in
Your campsite is your cook site. If your rig needs extra room, email the Splashway Events Team at matt@splashway.com before you arrive and we'll be happy to help.
Splashway provides turn-in containers. A team representative must check in and pick up containers at the Camp Store on Friday evening or Saturday morning.
BBQ pit regulations
- Any commercial or homemade pit or smoker normally used for competitive barbecue is allowed, trailered or not.
- Gas or electricity may be used to start the fire, but not to finish cooking.
- Pellet cookers and electrical accessories like spits, augers and force drafts are permitted.
- Heat lamps, proofing cabinets and other electric heating or holding devices are not allowed.
- No sous vide, boiling or frying of competition meat.
Prep & entry rules
- All meats must be prepped and cooked on-site the day of turn-in, within your cook site. Pre-trimming is the only exception.
- Sauce or glaze must be cooked onto meat entries. No pooled sauce, side sauce or liquids in the turn-in container.
- One judged entry per category per contestant.
- The BBQ Chairman may add regulations as situations warrant. Anyone violating cook-off rules may be disqualified.
Category requirements
- Pinto Beans: no canned or pre-cooked beans. Must be cooked on-site, no electric cookers, and no ingredient larger than a bean.
- Half Chicken: half a chicken with the wing, breast, thigh and leg intact.
- Pork Ribs: 7 individually cut, bone-in ribs. Spare, St. Louis or baby back are all allowed.
- Brisket: 7 full slices, about 1/4 inch thick.
- BBQ Sauce and Chili: your best recipe, turned in by the posted time.
How entries are judged
Five judges score each meat entry on sight and texture, smell, tenderness and taste.
Team Spirit reminder: we're a family campground, so please keep team names, decor and uniforms family-friendly.
Veterans Day weekend FAQ
Have a different question? Call us at (979) 234-7718.
Is the cook-off open to the public?
Does Splashway offer a Veterans Day military discount?
Is there a Veterans Day deal if I'm not military?
Which stays are included in the deals?
Where do cook-off teams cook?
Is the waterpark open?
Where is Splashway Campground?
What time is check-in?
We are familySpend Veterans Day weekend with us
Save 30% on select stays with code VETERAN30. Military families, don't forget your Buy One Night, Get One Free thank-you with code MILITARY.
Book Your WeekendQuestions? Call (979) 234-7718 · See all special events
