The Windy City Smokeout: BBQ & Country Music Fest returns to Chicago in July for its third year. This summer festival brings together the best of live country music, beer, and BBQ to our city’s popular River North neighborhood on July 10-12.
Throughout the weekend, guests can enjoy southern-inspired fare from Chicago’s BBQ restaurants. Festival-goers will also have the opportunity to interact with chefs and their culinary teams, and enjoy ice cold beers to wash it all down!
In addition to the delicious BBQ offered, Windy Smokeout will also host Myron Mixon, three-time barbecue World Champion, author, and judge on TLC’s BBQ Pitmasters. Guests can sign up for the opportunity to learn BBQ tips and tricks straight form one of the foremost pitmasters in the country in a hands-on class with Myron.
The festival will also host a special BBQ brunch on Sunday, hosted by Adam Richman of Travel Channel’s Man v. Food. Festival goers can expereince a brunch menu comprised of special dishes from each of the participating restaurants, plus signature BBQ sides paired with Bub City’s Bloody Mary Bar and mimosas.
New to Windy Smokeout this year, at-home chefs will have the opportunity to see how their homemade ribs stack up against their peers at the festival’s first ever Amateur BBQ Rib Competition. Contestants will cook their ribs on Pitmaster Q3 Smokers, used by rib master Myron Mixon, and will be able to consult with Bub City Pitmaster, Doug Psaltis.
At Windy City Smokeout, country fans can also take in performances by country music’s biggest stars as well as emerging talent. Here are the 2015 headliners: Friday, Pat Green; Saturday, Chris Young; Sunday, Lee Brice.
You can also enter a few different sweepstakes for special prizes during the event: a chance to meet Dan + Shay; and a chance to win a pair of tickets to the Myron Mixon Whole Hog Dinner; and a chance to meet Lee Brice.
Tickets: VIP Pass for $400 gets you three days of access, entrance to the elevated VIP Area next to stage, a private cash bar, exclusive VIP restrooms, $50 fest food bucks, and re-entry to the festival grounds. A 3-day Pass for $99.50 gets you three days of access, food and beverage sold separately, and re-entry to the festival grounds. A 1 Day Pass for $40 gets you one day of access, food and beverage sold separately, and re-entry to the festival grounds.
The festival is family-friendly. All ages welcome. Children under the age of 12 will be admitted at no charge (excluding VIP area). Any guest accompanying a child in the VIP section must purchase a ticket for that child.
This event will be held rain or shine. Hours are Friday, July 10, from 3 – 10 p.m.; Saturday, July 11, from 12 – 10 p.m.; and Sunday, July 12, from 12 – 9 p.m.
A stylish urban neighborhood that borders the Magnificent Mile and is just across the bridge from the Loop, River North is the go-to district for those who appreciate fine art and design. And for those who appreciate fine dining and drinks, the momentum behind the latest trendsetting openings continues to build and the late night energy swells.
