Texas is ready to embrace its latest major gathering, the Lone Star Smokeout, which will shower Arlington with a range of country flavors, both musical and culinary, come next spring. An offshoot of the lauded Windy City Smokeout, this first-ever edition is set to transform the AT&T Stadium come May 2025, following in the Chicago event's bootprints as a stage for award-winning country music acts and a smoke-filled tribute to Americana's favorite pastime: barbecuing.
According to the City of Arlington, Texas, the Lone Star Smokeout promises a lineup curated by none other than Ed Warm, the ACM-winning promoter, who has a knack for roping in the big names in country music. And if the Windy City Smokeout's history is anything to go by, with the likes of Zach Bryan, Kacey Musgraves, and Chris Stapleton previously headlining, the event is poised to be the Texas-sized exemplar of country music escapades.
The Lone Star Smokeout isn't holding back with a spread boasting 10 of the country's best BBQ outfits, promising to turn up the heat and tantalize taste buds. To wash it all down, a robust craft beer program stands at the ready, ensuring attendees can savor the full-bodied accompaniment to their zesty plates. The event's originators, Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants, have years of experience marrying the finest in food and festival experiences, bringing the ethos of hospitality to the forefront of their events.
R.J. Melman, President of Lettuce Entertain You, stated, as per the City of Arlington, "When Windy City Smokeout started in a small parking lot in downtown Chicago in 2013, we had the goal to create a festival that would offer guests the hospitality that Lettuce Entertain You is known for combined with the best in country music and barbecue." He added, "To be able to produce the first-ever Lone Star Smokeout at AT&T Stadium with the Dallas Cowboys organization is an incredible opportunity, as many of the BBQ teams and artists come from the great state of Texas."
The expansion reflects a decade-long journey from a modest Chicago parking lot to the sprawling fields of AT&T Stadium, highlighting a growth trajectory that's as impressive as it is a testament to the universal appeal of a good ol’ country hoe-down. The Lone Star Smokeout website is the go-to spot for updates on the event and, for those eager to mark their calendars and plan, the hub for all things Smokeout.
