Getting ready for this year's 'Country Fever' in Pryor

The fever is back! We're a month away from the second annual Country Fever Festival in Pryor. <br/><br/>The four day event showcases some of the biggest names in country music. News on 6 reporter

Monday, May 10th 2004, 10:12 am

By: News On 6

The fever is back! We're a month away from the second annual Country Fever Festival in Pryor.

The four day event showcases some of the biggest names in country music. News on 6 reporter Patrina Adger went to Mayes County for a preview.

We are still a month away from the start of Country Fever and construction crews are already hard at work, getting ready for the big event.

"This year's lineup includes Wynonna, Hank Williams Jr, Martina McBride and Oklahoma's own Blake Shelton. I'm excited.â€ Marketing Director Valerie Russell says 32,000 people attended last year's festival down from the 40,000 they were expecting, but she doesn't consider that a bad thing.

She says rain played a big part in the low attendance and many fans didn't want to deal with the muddy conditions. But Russell says that's changed. The roads leading up to the grounds have been sprayed with what she calls an "asphalt substance" making it easier for folks to get around and the grounds have been redone so fever fans won't have to walk through mud. "Now we've got it to where it looks like a football field. Rain will go on the outside versus the inside so we brought in loads of dirt to fix that."

And area businesses are hoping business grows as well. Conoco Store owner Steve Ahmad says sales were up 30% during Country Fever week last year. "Lot of people look forward to something new in Pryor and its good for the store.â€

And good for the city's economy. The Chamber of Commerce says sales tax for the month of June in 2003 was up $62,000 from the previous year.

Harriett Dunham says the festival's success has a trickle down affect on many businesses in Pryor. â€œIt affects everything-someone could have a tire flat and need a tire- think we offer just about everything you need in a community." A community which is ready for the fever to begin.