From the Old Town Art Fair to the Taste of Randolph Street, and the iconic Chosen Few House Music Festival to the mega-stage that is Lollapalooza, Chicago knows how to celebrate summer. But one event stood out to me this July—The Windy City Smokeout, held just outside the United Center, home of the legendary Chicago Bulls
From July 10th through the 13th, the area transformed into a high-energy, smoky haven for lovers of country music and barbecue. Cowboy hats were everywhere, women rocked boots and denim skirts like it was Nashville's second coming, and the vibe was undeniably electric. Even for someone who doesn’t regularly tune into country playlists, the music, the crowd, and the food made it an easy event to appreciate.