G-Fest Addressing Security, Traffic, Heat As 3-Day Festival Approaches

As crews turn an old Muskogee World War II airfield into a stage for G-Fest, a three-day music festival, security is a major focus. Traffic and heat are some other things organizers are preparing for.

The City of Muskogee just finished building a new road to deal with all the people coming to the concert series.

G-Fest is expected to rock Muskogee with 85 acts on four stages across the 400 acres of the Love-Hatbox Sport Complex.

To prepare for the crowds and campers, traffic is getting rerouted from the south end of the complex.

"The city has been gracious enough to build us a new road on the south side. So we'll push all the traffic to the south side - the other side of this," G-Fest director Jim Blair said.

Blair is working to make this a fun and safe festival.

"We've been working on security for quite a while - between OHP, and the Muskogee Police Department, and the Muskogee Sheriff's Department, and, on top of that, GT Security - which does a lot of festivals - so we'll…our interior will be mainly controlled by our private security," he said.

Crews are working against the clock so the gates can open on time Thursday afternoon at 1:00.

Blair said, "It's probably one of the biggest stages to come to Oklahoma as a mobile stage. It comes in on three semis. We've been unfolding it for about two days now."

Organizers are also preparing for the heat, as temperatures are expected to hit near the 100-degree mark.

Because of that, G-Fest is preparing to keep everyone cool, and medical teams will be on hand during the three-day festival.

Blair said there are several areas being set up for people to take shelter from the heat.

"So, if you get hot and get dehydrated, we'll transport you over there, you can walk over there. Go in, cool off. We've got some misters out here in the concert bowl - our city is setting those up. We're ready for the heat, but we're ready for a good time,” he said.

The show is going on despite the passing of the legendary Merle Haggard, who was originally scheduled to perform.

4/11/2016 Related Story: Muskogee's 'G Fest' Will Continue In Late Headliner Merle Haggard's Honor

The headliners include Kacey Musgrave, the Avett Brothers, the Swon Brothers and Robert Randolph and the Family Band.

G-Fest runs from Thursday to Saturday with more than 80 musical acts scheduled to play.