Tailgate Fest returned to Southern California on Saturday at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, following a two year pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The country music festival is unique as it incorporates the tailgate aspect of a concert into the main event. Fans are allowed and encouraged to post up in their truck beds or in areas built around their vehicles with their friends to take in all of the performances.
The two-day event kicked off on Saturday with performances by Nate Smith, Matt Stell, Lanco, Eli Young Band and Jake Owen.
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Country artist Jake Owens performs as he closes out the opening night of the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Joseph Flemming, from Prattville, Alabama, and Ashlee Dutra, from Hanford, cool off in the VIP pool during the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Country music fans watch opener Nate Smith from the VIP pool area during the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Country artist Jake Owens performs as he closes out the opening night of the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Country music fan Kimberly Sikorski, from Beaumont, cools off by sliding on a water drenched tarp during the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Country artist Jake Owens performs as he closes out the opening night of the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Lanco lead singer Brandon Lancaster performs with the band during the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Country artist Jake Owens performs as he closes out the opening night of the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Country artist Jake Owens performs as he closes out the opening night of the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Matt Stell (left) performs with his band during the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Country music fan Kevin Gould, from Lawndale, cools off by sliding on a water drenched tarp during the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Country artist Jake Owens performs as he closes out the opening night of the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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A country music fan cools off by sliding on a water drenched tarp during the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Country artist Jake Owens performs as he closes out the opening night of the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Country artist Jake Owens performs as he closes out the opening night of the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Country artist Jake Owens performs as he closes out the opening night of the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Garrett Kauppila, from Hermosa Beach, and Athena Kozell, from Redondo Beach, dance on the VIP pool deck as Lanco performs during the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Brianna Burgon, from Cherry Valley, cools off in the VIP pool during the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Country artist Jake Owens performs as he closes out the opening night of the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Country music fans Dan Roque, from Canyon Lake, and Deanne Hazelwood, from Murrieta, watch Lanco perform from the top of their vehicle during the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Lanco lead singer Brandon Lancaster tries to get a broken microphone to work as he takes the stage with the band during the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Country artist Jake Owens tosses a beer towards a fan as he and his band close out the opening night of the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Eli Young Band lead singer Mike Eli performs with the band during the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Garrett Kauppila, from Hermosa Beach, and Athena Kozell, from Redondo Beach, share a moment on the VIP pool deck as they dance while Lanco performs during the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Jeremy Kolich, from Norco, cools off Olivia Cole and Katie Jones, both from Corona, with a water gun during the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Country music fans wait for the Eli Young Band to take the stage during the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Country artist Nate Smith opens the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Country music fan Jennifer Grimm, from Santa Clarita, wears a pair of mini red solo cup ear rings during the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Country artist Jake Owens performs as he closes out the opening night of the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Country artist Nate Smith opens the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Country artist Nate Smith opens the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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A country music fan cools off as he floats in the VIP pool as Lanco performs during the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Eli Young Band lead singer Mike Eli performs with the band during the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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The Eli Young Band performs during the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Country artist Jake Owens performs as he closes out the opening night of the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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A couple dances as the Eli Young Band performs during the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Country artist Jake Owens performs as he closes out the opening night of the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Elise Duma and Jen Harris, both from Murrieta, cool off in the VIP pool during the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Eli Young Band lead singer Mike Eli performs with the band during the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Lanco lead singer Brandon Lancaster performs with the band during the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Concert goers cool off in the VIP pool at the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Garrett Kauppila, from Hermosa Beach, and Athena Kozell, from Redondo Beach, dance on the VIP pool deck as Lanco performs during the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Brian Rogers, Cassandra Barreto, both from Chino Hills, and Julie Rogen, from Eastvale, cool off from the triple digit temperatures in their inflatable pool in the back of their pickup truck during the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Mike Akins dances with son Jacob, 7, both from Yorba Linda, during the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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A country music fan cools off by sliding on a water drenched tarp during the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Lanco lead singer Brandon Lancaster performs with the band during the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Country music fan Daniel Wallioi, from Riverside, claps along to opening artist Nate Smith during the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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A country music fan sings along as Jake Owen performs to close out the opening day of the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Amber and Jeff Sutter, from Fullerton, share a moment together as the Ely Young Band performs during the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Country artist Jake Owens performs as he closes out the opening night of the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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A country music fan cools off by sliding on a water drenched tarp during the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Lanco performs during the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Lanco lead singer Brandon Lancaster greets country music fans as the band takes the stage during the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Country artist Jake Owens performs as he closes out the opening night of the Tailgate Fest country music festival at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. The 2-day music festival concludes Sunday with headliner Billy Currington. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Tailgate Fest made its Southern California debut as a single-day event in 2018, headlined by Toby Keith in the parking lot of the Kia Forum in Inglewood. It expanded to a two-day show and moved to Leal Ranch in Eastvale in 2019 and settled into its new home in Fontana this year.
On top of the live music, the festival also kept fans engaged with a variety of contests and activities. There were cornhole competitions, line dancing and guests heavily decorated their tailgate spaces in hopes of winning the Pimp That Tailgate Challenge. The top prize package included festival swag, event upgrades and meet and greets with the artists.
Since temperatures were in the 90s over the weekend, those that didn’t splurge to splash around in the VIP swimming pool, used their tailgate spaces to have squirt gun battles and build slip and slides out of large tarps to cool off.
Early in the day, promoters alerted fans on its social media sites that it was aware of long waits to get into the venue as the staff was staggering the vehicles in the tailgate section of the event and asked for their patience. The music started later than anticipated and there were some sound and technical issues that forced early acts to play shorter sets, but by nightfall they were back on track.
Tailgate Fest’s Sunday roster includes performances by Ashland Craft, Chase Bryant, Blanco Brown, Chris Janson and will be closed out by singer-songwriter Billy Currington.
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