Brady District Prepared For Center Of The Universe Crowds

<p>The Center of the Universe Festival starts in downtown Tulsa Friday night, but the setup was well underway in the Brady District on Thursday.</p>

Thursday, July 24th 2014, 10:42 pm

By: Emory Bryan

Brady District Prepared For Center Of The Universe Crowds

The Center of the Universe Festival starts in downtown Tulsa Friday night, but the setup was well underway in the Brady District on Thursday.

The lights went up on the main stage for the festival, right by Cain's Ballroom where the biggest crowds will be centered, but organizers expect to fill the Brady District with a weekend of live music and lots of people.

"Tulsa was thirsting for something like this and the comments and feedback we've been getting has just been overwhelming," said President of Tulsanity Inc., Phil Kaiser.

Last year a crowd estimated at 80,000 people attended the festival, but last year part of it was free. This year it's entirely ticketed and wristbands are needed to get in and out of the gates.

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The wristband has a new feature this year, it connects to credit cards so people won't need cash; and it connects with social media accounts so people can check in with their friends.

"Just everybody out here to have a good time and listen to good music, be together in Tulsa, in the heart of Tulsa," said Tulsa resident, Kodi Yorman.

The festival is one the largest annual events held in Brady District and businesses like Caz's Chow House expect to have a crowd.

"We actually are one of the places not doing music at all, so I look for us to be a place when people want to take a break, get out of heat and get something to eat," said Justin Orcutt, with Caz’s Chow House.

The heat is expected to be an issue, so while people are taking in hot new bands, they're advised to try to stay cool.

"Wear sunscreen, stay hydrated, get in the shade if possible and take advantage of the bars and restaurants, they're all air conditioned," Kaiser said.

There will be some roads closing overnight that will be closed throughout the weekend.

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