Collapsed Stages Can't Slow The Show

Rocklahoma was going strong Sunday night despite strong winds that collapsed two of its stages last Saturday night. The News On 6's Chris Wright reports one person was injured when those stages collapsed.  But those who were there believe a tragedy was avoided, so the bands and their fans were determined to make the most of the festival's final day.

A day later, everyone was still talking about the sudden storm that brought the stages down.

"It just came down really, really fast.  It was extremely frightening for all of us, because we didn't know if anybody was hurt," said Sam McCaslin of Retrospect Records.

"Ten seconds, no time to act.  Once you seen it moving, you ran, and hopefully you ran the right way and everyone did," said stagehand Clint Daily.

The clean-up continued as the bands played on, but the damage from the 65 mile an hour winds was so severe that officials say the stages and equipment are likely a total loss.

Workers tried to salvage what they could at the two stages that were damaged during Saturday's storm, but unfortunately they worry what's left will eventually just become scrap metal.

The ruined side stages were designed to feature lesser-known bands. So officials were forced to improvise.

"We were supposed to be on this stage, but instead we've been moved to the beer tent, my favorite," said Dave Hasselbach of Real Steel.

Rockers were moved to makeshift stages in three different beer tents. Fans did get more bang for their buck, as bands who were supposed to go on Saturday, as well as those scheduled for Sunday, all played.

Those who flocked to the main stage had to endure mud, but unlike the previous day, there wasn't a cloud in the sky.

"An outdoor gig like this, these things happen.  You just prevail, and we are going to prevail," said John Lanzetta of Herazz.

The Mayes County Sheriff's department says one fan, a 36-year-old woman, did die on Saturday, but authorities say the death was not storm-related. They believe it could have been heat related, but they are not sure yet.

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07/12/2008 - Rocklahoma Rocked By Storms