() Chicago’s award-winning Windy City Smokeout is heating up as performers and pitmasters take center stage this weekend for the 12th annual summertime festival.

The four-day event kicked off Thursday and will feature performances from top country music artists, including Megan Moroney, Bailey Zimmerman, Old Dominion and Jon Pardi.

Event officials told that more than 20 of the nation’s top pitmasters will be onsite, grilling up barbecue for the thousands of festivalgoers anticipated to attend this year.

On the menu is everything from Chicago Italian-style sausage to perfectly charred ribs, as well as fried chicken with a holy connection.

“Everybody loves fried chicken. From the most holiest to politicians,” Chef Art Smith told “Morning in America” on Friday. “I had the pleasure and honor to cook for Pope Leo, who’s also a Chicago local as well. I don’t care who you are, everyone always goes back to what comforts them.”