Honor the craft
Celebrate the time, skill, and tradition behind real barbecue and live performance.
Our story
Born from smoke. Built for connection.
A new East Texas tradition where the food is bold, the music has soul, and every gathering serves a bigger purpose.
The idea
Longview deserves a festival that feels like home.
Formerly Pine Tree Smoke & Soul Fest, the festival began with pride in Longview’s Pine Tree community and a desire to bring more people and business to the area. Our name now reflects the invitation: come from anywhere in Longview or across East Texas to share great barbecue, live blues, and a day out with the family.
East Texas Smoke & Soul Festival celebrates the things East Texans know well: patient craft, unforgettable flavor, good music, and neighbors showing up for one another.
The festival is designed as a place where barbecue cooks and food businesses can share their craft, local makers can be discovered, musicians can move a crowd, and families can make a full day of it together.
The tradition we deserve
East Texas deserves a signature festival.
Not because we need another event.
Because we deserve a tradition that belongs to us.
One rooted in community instead of commercialization.
One that does not simply arrive, entertain, and disappear—but grows from the people, places, and character that make East Texas unlike anywhere else.
Our local businesses.Our musicians.Our food makers.Our families.Our veterans.Our nonprofits.
And every neighbor who believes our strongest traditions are the ones we build—and keep—together.
Built here. Belongs here.
This tradition will carry the names of the people who believed first.
For vendors, this is a place to become part of the story—not simply rent a booth. For sponsors, it is a chance to stand beside the community and help create something families will recognize as their own for years to come.
What guides us
Three ingredients. One purpose.
Open the circle
Create a welcoming gathering where every neighbor can feel part of the experience.
Multiply impact
Use festival energy to support inclusive opportunities through Kidd Camp Inc.
Come hungry. Leave connected.