Big State Festival starts its engines in October

[Above: Tim McGraw]

User “RAYRAY” is dominating the flash games on the Big State Festival homepage, one of which tests how quickly players can remove animated sausages from a digitally rendered grill. While you’re over there bumping him off the throne of victory, check out the 50-artist lineup for the two-day country music event, which begins October 13 on the Texas World Speedway and includes Tim McGraw, Willie Nelson, Drive-By Truckers and Charlie Louvin.

Though the Big State festival is sponsored by Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, it seems much less eco-obsessed than its music marathon brethren. Instead of rattling off a list of green points gained through carbon neutral energy providers and tents screening environmental documentaries, Big State promoters want you to put your face right into the Texas tea and huff up that black gold like a human pumpjack. Along with its Richard Petty Driving Experience - which involves real stock-car racing on a 1.8 mile oval track, - a so-called Pit Petting Zoo “gives fans a chance to get under the hood to smell the rich mix of gas, oil and adrenaline.”

Mmm-mm!

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