Festival organizers from the City of Brownwood successfully welcomed thousands of guests from across the country to the second annual Feels Like Home Festival this past Saturday on October 4th, offering guests incredible country music, mouthwatering barbecue, and authentic Southern hospitality.
With tickets selling out based on the event’s site configuration, the 2025 festival marked a significant increase in attendance compared to its inaugural year. This year’s festival hosted attendees from more than 14 states, from California to Florida and beyond, as well as 100+ communities across the state of Texas.
“It was incredible to see Brownwood come alive this weekend with visitors traveling from across the country. With guests representing more than a dozen states, the Feels Like Home Festival is quickly another one of our community’s strongest drivers of tourism and economic activity, while reminding everyone just one more reason why Brownwood is such a special place to call home,” said Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes.
“This year felt like a turning point. Feels Like Home has proven itself as more than just a festival – it’s becoming an annual tradition that fans look forward to and one that the Brownwood community takes pride in hosting each fall,” said Festival Director Steve Clayton.
Celebrating classic Texas traditions while showcasing rising country music talent, Feels Like Home Festival featured an all-star lineup of Red Dirt and Texas country music legends, with Randy Rogers Band, Pat Green, Josh Abbott Band, and Stoney LaRue leading the 2025 billing, alongside fast-rising chart toppers Bottomland, Graham St. Clair, and Joe Peters.
Festivalgoers also enjoyed performances from hometown favorites on the second stage curated by Brownwood’s own Pioneer Tap House, which showcased Central Texas talent including Mason and the Mercenaries, The Cadillac Thieves, Brian Pounds, and Ripken.
Beyond the music, attendees indulge in a carefully curated lineup featuring some of the best BBQ the Lone Star State has to offer, with 10 award-winning and critically-acclaimed pitmasters. This year’s standout joints included Victorian’s Barbecue, Rossler’s Blue Cord Barbecue, The Original Roy Hutchins Barbecue, and Hill City Chop House – several of whom were proud to return for Year 2 after a successful pop-up at the festival last fall.
Once again, the festival offered something for patrons of all ages beyond music and BBQ, with interactive activities such as mechanical bull riding and axe throwing, as well as immersive brand activations.
As an independently owned-and-operated music festival, the producers behind Feels Like Home extend their sincere appreciation to all the partners who helped make this year’s event possible, including the 2025 presenting sponsor KOHLER. Additional sponsors this fall included 3M Corporation, Alcolo (NOCA), Anheuser-Busch, Brownwood Municipal Development District, Central Texas Rural Transit District, City of Brownwood, Grimsley Electric, Inc., Hendrick Medical Center, Heritage Rental Equipment, Howard Payne University, KOXE 101.3, TexasBank, The Hideout Golf Club & Resort, VRC Technologies, VilleCom, Pioneer Tap House, and more.
With year two now in the books, organizers are already planning for 2026, aiming to continue improving the festival-going experience for attendees while highlighting Brownwood as a welcoming cultural destination for visitors from across the country.
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ABOUT FEELS LIKE HOME FESTIVAL:
Founded in 2024, Feels Like Home Festival is an annual festival celebration of community, country music, and delicious barbecue held in the heart of Brownwood, Texas.
Each fall, local organizers behind this independently-produced event bring together friends, families, and fans of Texas country music for an unforgettable day outdoors filled with live entertainment, authentic BBQ, and Southern hospitality.
Whether you’re a lifelong Texan or just looking for an epic weekend road trip, Feels Like Home lives up to its name – delivering a warm and welcoming experience rooted in tradition, community, and true Texas charm.
Please visit www.FeelsLikeHomeFest.com and follow @FeelsLikeHomeFest to learn more.
