FLORENCE — Country Thunder isn't all about the smoke and mirrors on stage.
It's about the smoke coming from Tommy Montoya's 40-foot wood smoker that he crafted out of old pump trailer.
Just after noon on Thursday, a good three hours before opening act Brooke Eden was to take the stage and kick off the 2016 festival, Montoya and his Casa Grande-based crew were fanning the red and orange flames beneath the well-seasoned grates. Dozens of giant turkey legs shared grill space with smoked corn still in the husks and sausages snuggled in with peppers and onions.
"It's a good event. The rowdy crowds are crazy," Montoya said of the Florence festival, which he has worked for six years. He operates four food tents in the sprawling food court including a burger joint and lemonade stand across from his GSF Foods barbecue operation.
Around the corner, Tara Arditi and Jeff Lamalfa were unpacking fresh vegetables and supplies for Fresh + Jive, their two-year-old Cleveland, Ohio-based wraps and grilled meats outfit.
"On the first day, people really like to do the fried foods and burgers and such, but by day two or three, they are anxious for healthier food," said Arditi, who is working her first Country Thunder.
Arditi and Lamalfa have done festivals across the country but this weekend is their first time working in Arizona. Fresh + Jive specializes in wraps and grilled meats, although you can find fried chicken and fried smothered tater tots on the menu.
Arditi said she and Lamalfa are veterans of the food industry who decided to combine their love of food with their love of live music. They set up Fresh + Lively at large festivals around the country.
"We've got a five-year plan. You have to give it a shot, right?" she said.
Fresh + Lively and Montoya's four food stands will be open throughout the festival in the food court area northeast of the main stage.
