Hydrated And Happy Is Focus Of Center Of The Universe Festival Organizers

The Brady District is about to become the Center of the Universe for a weekend.

Crews are already setting up for the two-day music festival and started building the stages where more than 100 bands will play.

There are several outdoor stages as well as dozens of music acts performing inside clubs around the Brady District - they'll feature a wide variety of music from bands across the county.

In fact, the Center of the Universe website says, "With this many bands, if you cannot find music that you like you should consult a medical professional immediately because you are probably dead inside."

Keep Up With The Festival Online

The festival begins Friday, and if the forecast stays the same, it’s going to be hot, which is why, this year, organizers have amped up efforts to keep attendees cool and are even letting people bring an unopened bottle of water.

Keep Up With Road Closures During CoU Fest

Organizers are preparing to close off streets for the event, and once you're inside they promise you'll have lots of access to water.

It's one of Tulsa's coolest events, but keeping cool at the Center of the Universe Festival - when the heat index is 100 - is quite a task.

Last year, first responders treated about ten festival-goers for heat-related illness.

7/26/2015 Related Story: Heat, Lack Of Water Access Concern CoUFest Attendees

This year, people can bring an unopened 20oz. water bottle and re-fill it at two filtered water stations. There are also three 20 foot tall dome misting stations, according to festival organizer, Phil Kaiser.

"High-pressure misting systems inside, and fire coming out the top," he said. “Yeah, I kid you not. It's a company called, 'Incendia.'"

It's a misting station like you've seen before. The domes shoot mist from all angles, and inside it's 20 degrees cooler than the outside temperature.

"We work very closely with the city, and with the police and fire departments and EMSA to make sure that we have contingency plans to make sure that we can mitigate the heat," Kaiser said.

Last year, the lack of access to drinking water was a problem; but this year, the 25 food trucks at the festival will be able to sell water bottles; they’ll also be sold for $3 at five drink stations.

Kaiser said his team has tried to think of everything to keep the crowd hydrated and happy.

"If anybody has any problems, we've got help very close by," he said.

EMSA also has misting stations it can set up if needed.

Last year, festival organizers opened fire hydrants for more relief from the heat and said they can do that again this year.