Willie Nelson’s 4th Of July Picnic

It’s never too early to begin planning for Willie Nelson’s Fourth Of July Picnic. Tickets for the red-headed stranger’s 41^st Independence Day celebration in Texas (of course) go on sale this week.

Photo: AP Photo / Hans Pennink

Farm Aid, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Nelson’s Picnic returns to the Fort Worth Stockyards’ North Forty for an all-day blowout. The Picnic will feature two stages providing non-stop entertainment running from noon until midnight.

Considered a Texas tradition, Nelson’s Picnic began in 1973 in Dripping Springs and featured a lineup starring Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson and Tom T. Hall. The following year the Picnic moved to the Texas World Speedway in College Station. Transformed into a three-day event, it fielded a lineup that included Jennings, Jimmy Buffett and Jerry Jeff Walker.

Throughout its history the Picnic has been held in several locations, including Austin as well as Luckenbach. Nowadays you’ll find the one-day party in Fort Worth outside Billy Bob’s Texas.

Beginning Feb. 21 and running through Feb. 23, fans will have a chance to purchase early bird tickets priced at $20. Following a lineup announcement scheduled for Feb. 25, general admission, VIP and Sky Box tickets will go on sale Feb. 28. Check out WilliesPicnic.com for more information.