Some of the biggest stars in country music will take the stage this weekend at Abilene Speedway for the 2nd annual Outlaws and Legend Music Festival.

The event is the biggest “one-day, one-stage” event in the state of Texas, according to the event web site. The Marshall Tucker Band, Roger Creager and Gary P. Nunn are among the many names headlining the event.

Mark Powell (’01), musician and owner of Backporch Productions, put together the event for the second consecutive year. With an exceptional outcome from last year’s event, Powell plans to top last year’s event. With tickets sales being sold from Washington, Florida, Utah, California, and Nevada, he is planning a big show.

“I think it’s going to be a big turnout,” said Powell. “It’s exciting to see that tickets are being sold all across the nation for this event.”

Gates will open at 5 p.m. Friday and will close Sunday at noon. There will be 24 vendors on-site, 58 tailgate spots and 325 RV spots available on a first-come, first-serve basis and with VIP/backstage passes that also will be available for purchase (limit 100).

AreaWide Media Services has sponsored this event for this year and last year. Ivan Vie the title sponsor is a graduate from UTA with a degree in advertising. He is looking forward to sponsoring the event again this year.

“I’m really excited to be involved in this event for this year. I believe it should be an even bigger showing because of the fairly good weather that is expected on the day of the event,” Vie said.

Last year the show attracted more than 6,000 Texas music fans, staged 16 artists in one-day, sold out 200 RVs and 51 Tailgate Party Passes. This year, tickets and tailgates are discounted if purchased early, and there are no parking fees at the event.

This event will also benefit Disability Resources Incorporated, which provides residential care and vocational training to developmentally disabled individuals in a Christian environment in the Abilene area.