Dfest Ready To Rock Blue Dome District

Rockers from across the country have begun descending upon Tulsa for what's being called the Midwest's largest music conference and festival.   Dfest begins on Friday in downtown Tulsa's Blue Dome District.  News On 6 anchor Jennifer Loren reports as many people watch their favorite bands play this weekend, some teenagers will need to watch their watches.

Temperatures climbed toward a hundred degrees, but that didn't stop workers from setting up Dfest's many stages.  The stage is already set for this year's two-day festival to be the most successful on record.

"So far, Dfest, as far as attendance, has grown 100% each year and we are planning to stay on track and continue to do that," said Jen Clark with Dfest.

More than 40,000 people attended last year's Dfest, and this year there will be more bands, more vendors and even more people.

But, many of the most popular bands at Dfest don't even take the stage until after midnight. For teenagers in attendance that creates a problem.

"If there's curfew violations to enforce we will enforce it," said Tulsa Police Officer Leland Ashley.

Tulsa Police officers have a midnight curfew to enforce for anyone under the age of 18.  They say that curfew will be enforced despite previous reports that it would be lifted just for Dfest.

"That is incorrect. The curfew still stands.  12 a.m. is the curfew for juveniles," said Tulsa Police Officer Leland Ashley.

Dfest organizers had hoped the curfew would be lifted.  But, they say don't let that stop you from seeing your favorite bands.

"If that would be an issue, you know, bring your parents out and problem solved.  And, you don't have to worry about it at all," said Jen Clark with Dfest.

Curfew violations carry fines up to $200.  But, there's plenty of time for teenagers to see their favorite bands play before time is up.  Dfest begins at 4 o'clock on Friday afternoon.

Water, energy drinks, soda and other non-alcoholic beverages are available at many locations around the festival and within the main stage gates.

Dfest major headliners include:

• All-American Rejects
• The Roots
• Helmet
• Paramore
• Clutch
• moe.
• Zappa Plays Zappa
• Apples In Stereo
• Edison Glass
• Ghostland Observatory
• The Disco Biscuits
• Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey
• Phantom Planet
• Joshua James

In addition to nearly 30 headlining bands, 120 unsigned acts will perform at Dfest this year representing 20 musical genres on a dozen indoor and outdoor stages.

Organizers expect more than 60,000 people to attend the conference and festival. Music festival times are 4 p.m.-2 a.m.

Tickets are on sale now at http://okctickets.com/ and http://www.dfest.net/. Advanced two-day wristbands good for both days cost $30 online, and standard two-day wristbands cost $40 at the gates.

Dfest is partnering with Tulsa Community College and OSU-Tulsa to provide a park-and-ride service to the 2008 festival grounds. Concert-goers can park at TCC Metro or OSU-Tulsa and ride air-conditioned shuttles to the festival grounds. The shuttle service will run every 5-10 minutes between 3 p.m. and 2:30 a.m. on Friday, July 25, and Saturday, July 26.