Tanglefoot Brings the Smoke to Temple

While I didn’t partake in the barbecue, the Tanglefoot Festival in Temple was still smokin’ with stacked lineups both days at the MLK Fairgrounds. I could write you a whole book just on the artists, but you already know how amazing acts like Randy Rogers Band, Parker McCollum, Cody Jinks, Silverada, Shelby Stone, Robert Earl Keen etc are. So, let's focus on the logistics and details of a first year fest.

Things started off strong. Free parking at Wilson Park Rec Center had plenty of space both days, and a fleet of air-conditioned charter buses took you to the grounds for a $5 wristband. That’s a must in this still lingering summer Texas heat. The security line was short and easy, and wristband pick-up was quick thanks to clearly labeled booths and friendly volunteers.

If you splurged for the $30 unlimited barbecue wristband, lines were short and options were plenty. On day two, sampling ran through 5 p.m. from all the pitmasters, plus a live demo from three of them. Toward the end of Saturday, each pitmaster got their five minutes of fame on stage, a nice touch after two days of smoky dedication. The comments I overheard made it clear: folks loved what they tasted.

For those skipping the barbecue, there were still plenty of food options: Tex-Mex, chicken sandwiches, burgers, pizza, wings. For the sweet tooth and heat relief, lemonade, sweet tea with refills and even a gelato truck. Waters at the bar were $4, a steal compared to arena prices. But you could also find lukewarm troughs near the Sidewinder stage and mercantile. The bars even offered cups of ice to help.

Day one, the bars seemed to struggle keeping stocked and cooled, but by day two things were running smoother. While Busch was the official beer sponsor, there were craft options available from Karbach and local breweries.

Both days started slow but filled in as the sun dropped. Going head-to-head with Texas high school football on Friday and college ball on Saturday is always tricky, but the fans eventually came out. The setup was smart, two stages across from each other, far enough apart to avoid sound overlap but close enough that you didn’t miss much moving between them.

If you weren’t locked into a band, there was shade, bars spread across the grounds, and the mercantile tent full of vendors: hats, jewelry, vintage finds, even a tattoo parlor that stayed busy. I counted more than a dozen folks walking around with fresh ink. Casamigos and Crown Royal booths got some traffic, and the axe throwing, mechanical bull, and IV hydration stations all had their moments.

The MLK grounds helped fight the August heat with plenty of trees, and by the time the crowds swelled the sun had dipped enough to make it manageable. Chair rentals from conCHAIRto were a solid deal at $20 per day, causing no need to drag your own through security. Luck was on everyone’s side with a breeze both days.

Signage and lineup boards worked well, plus the Tanglefoot app had everything you needed. Cell service held up, except occasionally at the bar and food trucks at the far ends of the festival.

Merch was plentiful. Festival shirts in multiple designs and styles, sweatshirts, bandanas, koozies—you name it. Band merch rotated in and out all weekend, so it was worth checking back. Prices felt reasonable, lines were short, and only a few bands didn’t bring their own goods.

Overall, Tanglefoot nailed the footprint of the park. Two stages worked perfectly, bars and shade were well-placed, prices were fair, and the music rolled without long gaps. Restrooms were tucked behind the mercantile, maybe a trek if you were mid-set at the main stage, but otherwise the flow made sense.

Tanglefoot was a win for Temple. A well-branded, well-run first-year festival with a stacked lineup. Here’s hoping it’s the start of something that continues. I’ll be watching to see how they top it in 2026.