In a town of about 150 people, nearly 1,000 visitors will gather this April for a weekend that turns a quiet place into one of Alabama’s most vibrant cultural gatherings.

The Old 280 Boogie returns to Waverly on April 18–19, marking 25 years of music, art and community on the grounds of Standard Deluxe—a place that has quietly become one of Alabama’s most distinctive cultural hubs. This year, that milestone comes with a notable addition: a first-time collaboration between two of the South’s most celebrated chefs, Rob McDaniel and Roscoe Hall.

What began in the early 2000s, following the rerouting of Highway 280 around town, has grown into a weekend-long celebration that still holds tight to its original spirit. The Boogie wasn’t created to be flashy; instead, it’s become known for something rarer: authenticity.

“The Old 280 Boogie, presented by Standard Deluxe, has held tightly to its community-driven, rural spirit — that feeling of people coming together in a way that’s genuine and unpolished, in a place like no other,” says Amy Miller, creative producer alongside partner Scott Peek. “Scott has been both the driving force and the artistic behind it all, from the design and printmaking to the music curation and creating a welcoming space. Sustaining a business for 35 years in Waverly, and a festival every spring for 25 years, has been no small feat. Standard Deluxe becoming both a sought-after stop for national and international touring artists and an iconic gathering space for community near and far is really the icing on the cake.”

That blend of artistry and hospitality is part of what keeps people coming back. Set beneath a handmade stage built from reclaimed materials and vintage Southern signage, the festival has hosted a mix of rising talent and nationally recognized acts over the years, from Alabama Shakes to the late Charles Bradley and St. Paul and the Broken Bones.

This year’s lineup continues that tradition, bringing together artists like Shovels & Rope, Cedric Burnside, The Heavy Heavy and The Band of Heathens for two days of roots-driven sound.

But the Boogie has always been about more than music—and this year, that spotlight extends to the kitchen, with two acclaimed Southern chefs taking part.

Rob McDaniel, a six-time James Beard-nominated chef behind Helen and Bayonet, and Roscoe Hall, a former Top Chef competitor and grandson of Dreamland Bar-B-Que founder John “Big Daddy” Bishop, will cook side by side for the first time in the Feed Shak, an open-air, wood-fired kitchen on the property. The collaboration brings together two chefs with deep ties to Southern food and storytelling, making it a fitting addition to a festival grounded in tradition and connection.

“Standard Deluxe holds a very special place in my heart, and I can’t think of a better place for Roscoe and me to cook our first meal together,” McDaniel says. “We’ve put together a menu that will hit your soul with the same kind of vibe that only Standard Deluxe can provide. An amazing venue, an incredible lineup, and great food, there just aren’t many better ways to spend a weekend.”

Around them, the rest of the Boogie unfolds as it always has. Vendors line the grounds with handmade goods, prints and pottery, while festivalgoers spread out on blankets, sharing food and conversation in the April sun. It’s a setting that feels less like a production and more like a gathering—one shaped as much by the people attending as those performing.

That sense of intention—whether in the music, the food or the setting—is what defines both Standard Deluxe and the Boogie itself. Now 35 years into its life as a design shop, venue and creative space, Standard Deluxe continues to serve as a meeting point for artists, musicians and community members from across the South and beyond.

Twenty-five years in, the Old 280 Boogie continues to transform a small town into a destination—without losing what made it special in the first place.

Tickets and additional information are available at standarddeluxe.com.