A year ago, the Park of East Texas was little more than red dirt and construction. Now, the newly opened 300-acre space is hosting major events like the East Texas State Fair and the Red Dirt BBQ & Music Festival.
“It’s ironic, because when we had the fair, there was a lot of red dirt everywhere, because it was still fresh from construction,” said Cody Rosenbalm, president and CEO of the East Texas State Fair. “By the time the Red Dirt BBQ & Music Festival rolls around, we hope to have a lot more grass and green space.”
With redevelopment reshaping both the Downtown Square and the Tyler Rose Complex, some of Tyler’s events were left without their usual spaces.
But through collaboration, organizers ensured they would go on as planned.
“We both sort of lost our home,” Rosenbalm said. “With the master plan with Rose Complex for us, and then the master plan downtown, which relocates the Red Dirt BBQ & Music Festival at least temporarily.”
The East Texas State Fair and Red Dirt BBQ & Music Festival teamed up to keep the good times rolling at the recently opened Park of East Texas, providing a spacious new venue, at 11315 State Highway 64 West.
“It is a park for the community to have events throughout the year. It’s not just a place for the East Texas State Fair, but for events just like the Red Dirt BBQ & Music Festival,” Rosenbalm said. “This is what the property is designed for.”
During the fair’s debut at the Park of East Texas, some aspects of the site were still under construction. Now, ahead of the Red Dirt BBQ & Music Festival set for May 10, organizers have worked to complete unfinished projects to enhance the event experience.
For the fair, the venue’s parking presented some challenges, as the land had been cleared for only about a month before the event. With limited time, organizers made the best of what they had.
Now, after some off-season work, the Park of East Texas is continuing to invest in improvements to make the venue a versatile space for community events year-round.
By May, updates to improve gates, fencing, signage and erosion control will be in place.
A major improvement project underway at the Park of East Texas is enhancing the parking areas. Crews have begun removing mulch from the ground and smoothing out the lots to create a better driving surface. This spring, grass will be planted.
The improvements at the Park of East Texas not only enhance its overall appearance but also make parking more efficient and reduce dust.
Ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for every guest is a top priority. That begins the moment visitors arrive, with efforts focused on minimizing wait times, streamlining parking and maintaining efficient traffic flow.
To support this, around 30 parking attendants will be on-site to keep parking organized and accessible. Additionally, its Transportation Committee will provide shuttle services using tractor trailers and buggies, so guests who park farther from the gate have an easy ride to the entrance.
Visitors to the 11th annual Red Dirt BBQ & Music Festival will notice a site that feels less like a fresh construction zone and more like a fully developed venue, with grass beginning to grow back and a more polished look.
While the music and barbecue festival is known for being held on downtown’s brick streets the last 10 years, organizers are looking forward to a new experience.
“We’re leaving the square, but we don’t have a choice, because they’re doing all the construction there,” said Radio Texas, LIVE! host Buddy Logan. “We were excited to be able to have a new place like the Park of East Texas.”
The Park of East Texas leases the venue and provides support with traffic control, parking and other operational logistics. However, all aspects related to medical services, security, safety and other concerns are the responsibility of the event organizers.
Compared to its previous downtown location, the festival now has four times the space to work with, presenting both opportunities and challenges. Organizers are focused on maximizing the room while maintaining an intimate atmosphere.
“We have a lot more room to work with, a lot more space to fill up, and we’re excited to do it in a new setting,” Logan said. “Everyone knows what kind of party it is. That’s not going to change. We’re gonna have more room to party.”
The festival’s lineup was announced Monday and ticket sales went live Friday morning. For its 11th year, the festival will feature a DJ set by Jonathan Terrell and music from Cory Morrow, Jason Boland & The Stragglers, Ty Myers, Braxton Keith and Treaty Oak Revival.
All participating barbecue joints to be announced soon. So far, those expected to be vendors at the festival include: All Smoke, No Mirrors Barbecue | Paris; BBQ And A Prayer | Canton; Brisket Love BBQ & Icehouse | Lindale; Casey’s BBQ | Athens; Chopp’d Beef Boys | Dallas; Crossbuck BBQ | Farmers Branch; East TX Rust BBQ | Winnsboro; Poke In Da Eye World Championship BBQ | Tyler; Poppy’s Q | Elgin; Reveille Barbecue Co. | Magnolia; Slaughter’s BBQ | Sulphur Springs; Smoak House No.587 | Palestine; Smoky B Barbecue | Athens; Stanley’s Famous Pit BBQ | Tyler; Sunbird Barbecue | Longview; and Zeke’s Craft BBQ | Huntsville. Restaurants are subject to change.
The Red Dirt BBQ & Music Festival began in 2014. Previous musical acts include Whiskey Myers, Turnpike Troubadours, Josh Abbott Band, Cody Johnson, Parker McCollum, Koe Wetzel, Robert Earl Keen, the late Charlie Robison, Mark Chesnutt, Casey Donahew, Pony Bradshaw and many more.
For tickets and more information, visit www.reddirtbbqfest.com.
