The forecast didn’t stop the crowd from showing up early on Saturday, though the park looked much different than a typical festival day. Ponchos and heavy jackets were the uniform of the day, and you could see a mix of rain boots and cowboy boots navigating the grounds as fans settled in with their lawn chairs. Everyone knew the storm was coming, yet the park was already full of people ready for the music to start. The two smaller stages ran simultaneously, forcing some tough choices early on, but the schedule was designed so that the entire crowd gathered at the main stage for the headlining sets.

The music started with Elizabeth Nichols, who was very interactive with the crowd and worked in a few covers that had people singing along early. Brent Cobb followed with a set that pulled from his South Georgia roots. Performing with his band, The Fixin’s, he leaned into a heavier rock-oriented sound that carried well across the park, even sharing a funny story about his kid asking him to play a rock song. The Band Perry brought out a mix of old and new, including a cover of Luke Combs’ “Beer Never Broke My Heart,” but the real highlight of their set was the song that brought them together, “If I Die Young.”

Muscadine Bloodline took the stage next, cranking up the volume and keeping the crowd on their feet. They were followed by Evan Honer, who made his entrance with a flip. He’s from Arizona and has a really cool, raspy voice that stands out in the folk-country scene. BigXthaPlug ended up being the final act of the day. His DJ spent a few songs getting the crowd hyped up, and by the time he walked on stage, everyone was already dancing. He played through his big tracks with Post Malone and Luke Bryan, which ended up being the final bit of music the park would see before the weather completely took over.

It wasn’t until a little after 7 p.m. that everything was officially cancelled. Fans were still waiting at each stage for the next artists, and Kaitlin Butts had actually started her set, going through about half of her first song before the festival was evacuated as the storm rolled in. The rain eventually came and went, but by the time the Goo Goo Dolls were scheduled to play, the weather returned and forced the cancellation. The festival tried to adapt by moving Brooks & Dunn up a few hours to beat the next wave, but after a while, they were cancelled as well, and everyone was cleared out for the night. It was tough news for those in attendance, but the festival issued a 100% refund for Saturday ticket holders and 50% for two-day passes.

Once Sunday came, the weather was completely different. It wasn’t as chilly, and the rain stayed away. I started my day by going to see Laci Kaye Booth at 12 p.m., and she has one of the most beautiful, unique voices I’ve ever heard. Her set had a raw, soulful quality to it, and at one point, she brought her dog out on stage to introduce the crowd to the love of her life. Next were The Castellows, a sister group from Georgia who played banjos and guitars. Their three-part family harmonies sounded natural and effortless, and they really showed off their skills when they started trading leads on their instruments. Anne Wilson followed with a set rooted in her personal history, sharing stories about her life and singing faith-forward country songs. Avery Anna had some of the most dedicated fans of the weekend, and I saw people in the front row in tears. She covered Taylor Swift, but the surprise of the set was when she tapped into her alter ego “Lil Debbie” to sing “Ice Ice Baby,” even having the crowd chant “Avery Anna Sucks” as a part of the bit.

Cameron Whitcomb was another highlight of my weekend. He did flips across the stage a few times during his set and ran around with an energy that kept the crowd engaged. Later in the day, Tedeschi Trucks Band filled the air with a massive sound, combining blues, rock, and soul into a performance that felt both grand and intimate. The Red Clay Strays were also a standout. Their lead singer has a classic Elvis look and a great sound, giving their performance a gritty, vintage rock’n’roll feel.

A truly special moment followed when Randy Travis made an appearance on stage with his wife. They sat on the side of the stage while another singer performed his classic hits, backed by a full band. Even though he wasn’t singing, he was constantly smiling and waving at fans. You could feel the crowd taking it all in, and there was a deep sense of emotion across the park as everyone celebrated his legacy.

The weekend ended with Chris Stapleton. Everyone in attendance was clearly relieved his set stayed on the schedule after Saturday’s weather. His voice is so distinct, and with his wife singing beside him and those guitar-forward tracks, you could hear the fans echoing every word back to him. It was the right way to make up for the rain the day before.

While the music was the main draw, Two Step Inn felt more like an all-ages community celebration of country culture. Walking through the gates, you’re greeted by a scene that feels like a world-class outdoor honky tonk. The various hubs around the festival grounds were packed with different brand pop-ups where people could customize festival merchandise, from bandanas to hats, and explore a curated market of vintage western wear. It was special to see thousands of people in their full western Sunday best wandering between the photo ops and interactive lounges that offered everything from lawn games to dedicated dance floors.

The park was also designed for those who wanted to experience the cowboy lifestyle, whether they were catching a show or just exploring. The bars were everywhere, offering specialty cocktails like “Country Coladas,” frozen margaritas, and plenty of local vodka and tequila options. For food, the selection was impressive, ranging from Central Texas BBQ staples to more unique choices like a Venezuelan grill. Between the endless food options and custom hat bars, and the sense of community as everyone huddled together during the Saturday drizzle, the festival felt like a full experience rather than just a weekend of concerts.