ENTERTAINMENT BUZZ
Are you ready to Rocklahoma?
Def Leppard, Soundgarden, and The Offspring
are there, man
By Cheri Pogue
PRYOR, Okla. - “Life, liberty,
and the pursuit of rock”! That
is the Rocklahoma motto,
and if you ever attend,
you will understand why.
The largest rock festival in
Oklahoma only happens
once a year and fans start
planning their return the day
after it ends.
Rocklahoma is more than
just a music exposition. It is
a giant party where fans
gather to become one. They
come from all over to join
in on an experience rather
than a show.
Tricina Bailey, a fan that has
attended every Rocklahoma
blow out, told The Current
Buzz that she loves the
music, but returns every
year for the people. She
makes new friends year after
year and they become like
family. Many others agree.
Tammy Burton is also a
Rocklamaniac. What started
out as a band excursion
has now turned into a mini
vacation as she shares this
event with her mother,
children, friends, and other
family members. She enjoys
the food, dancing and
conversing with different
people that she normally
would not have met. Tommy
Escue, another devotee,
claims that Rocklahoma has
the best venue in the country
stating that the promoters go
out of their way to take care
of the crowd.
Many say Rocklahoma is
the one place where they
can relax, escape their
professional or routine
lives and just be wild, free,
and liberated. Regardless
of social status, musical
preference, or ethnicity, no
one is there to judge. Fans
merge into a singular lane
of accord and harmony
sharing every moment like
no outsider could ever
understand. It seems that
after a person attends once,
it becomes a part of them
as if joining a secret club.
Occasionally even the artists
will mingle with the crowd
and stand as spectators.
Over 70,000 fans attended
last year and that number is
expected to maintain.
Neither rain, nor mud
will keep these die hard
supporters away. On those
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rare occasions when
unforeseeable poor weather
emerges, instead of leaving,
they embrace the moment
and use it as bond of
laughter uniting even closer
together. The memories
created are based on the
unpredictable weather and
the somewhat primitive
camping conditions. It is all
a part of the adventure. The
three day four night party is
full of activities and fun but
there is certainly no shortage
of entertainment. Almost
100 bands divide their talents
over 4 stages. The lineup
exists of local artists, such
as Sweatin Bullets, Dead
Metal Society, Screaming
Red Mutiny, and Less Than
Human to name a few
and major artists, including
Def Leppard, The Cult,
Suicidal Tendencies, Skillet,
Diamond Head, Ratt, Jackyl,
Soundgarden, Seether, The
Offspring, Slaughter, Fuel,
Stone Sour, Buck Cherry,
Three Days Grace, Black
Stone Cherry, Zakk Sabbath,
Rival Sons, Pierce The Veil
and many more!
This outdoor event is held in
Pryor and runs May 25-29.
Discount advance passes
can be purchased, single
or weekend, or you can
acquire the day of the
festival for a little more. VIP
passes are also available
which provide extra
privileges.
Check out www.
Rocklahoma.com for pricing
information, a full band
lineup and festival guidelines.
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