Team TTDIFS loaded up and headed west for Rocklahoma yesterday, May 24. Names like Papa Roach, Alice in Chains, Bush and Guns n Roses to name a few headlined this three-day rock fest in Pryor, OK that I’m pretty certain HUNDREDS of thousands of people will have attended by the end of the third day. It was the usual scene at a music fest of this size: “no professional cameras allowed, but please, bring all of the pot you can carry.” Drunken fools falling and trying to carry on an intelligent conversation with you only to be reminded that the words coming out of their mouthes were not actually words are all, but an alcohol-induced mumbled stutter, roamed the grounds that, on occasion, looked like a scene from The Walking Dead. It’s actually fun to mess with them…(we’ve all been there). When we arrived to the entrance, it was a crazy 4 mile long line of cars, campers and topless teasers all hanging out the window with the all too familar “rock symbol” of what I think is either devil horns or a Texas Longhorn salute…I forget. No one cared about the wait or the unorganized structure of how to park…they were there to ROCK and that’s what they intended to do. Except Team TTDIFS. We came to get some cool pics, hear some good music, drink a beer or two and head back to Fort Smith. See, that’s what’s great about this trip and ties in so perfectly with “things to do in Fort Smith.” Yes, it was something NOT IN Fort Smith, but we left after work, saw Papa Roach, Bush, and Guns n Roses, and were back to Fort Smith before 2am. That’s not a bad trip at all. Yes, we have so much to do IN Fort Smith and we will continue to actively help get the word out, but lest we forget, we also have much to do all AROUND Fort Smith and the region! We’re lucky to live where we do. I like to think of us as being in the center of all things to do.
All and all, a great night that ended with a late appearance from Axl Rose, an old man with old moves and an older voice. Thank goodness we left before November Rain and Sweet Child of Mine. I’m certain it sounds MUCH better on iTunes.
–Rham Cunningham / Creator/Writer of Things to Do
(Photo by Zeb Heston, Drunk at a Music Fest)