By Bailey Coyle, FOX23.com News Staff
PRYOR, Okla. — What started as a vision by a handful of passionate music fans has grown into one of the nation’s longest-running rock festivals. This year, Rocklahoma celebrates its 20th anniversary, bringing thousands of fans back to Pryor for a weekend filled with loud guitars, camping, camaraderie and some of rock music’s biggest names.
For festival organizer Chris Turner, Rocklahoma has become much more than a concert. It’s an annual pilgrimage for rock fans from across the country.
“Rocklahoma is a pilgrimage for a lot of people who love this type of music,” Turner said. “People come from all over the country. It’s really a weeklong celebration of music, camaraderie and friends.”
While the music remains the centerpiece, Turner said the festival’s campground culture has become just as important to many attendees. With fans arriving days before the music starts, campsites have evolved into elaborate gathering spots where old friends reconnect and new friendships are formed.
“This is a big camping festival,” Turner said. “A lot of people create these amazing campsites. They’re there for the music, but it’s really a full week of fun.”
Built to Last
Rocklahoma’s success is rooted in the vision of founders Mark and Bev Nesbit and Dave and Sharon Dinkins, who established the festival grounds in Pryor after drawing inspiration from a successful rock festival in Wisconsin.
Over the past two decades, the site has transformed into a permanent festival destination, unlike many events that temporarily construct infrastructure at public venues.
Today, the 400-acre property features nearly 6,000 campsites, permanent stages, fixed seating, roads and utilities designed specifically for large-scale events.
“It’s really unique,” Turner said. “Most music festivals are creating things out of nothing every year. This is a permanent festival site that has evolved tremendously over the last 20 years.”
Turner credited the founders and local supporters for helping Rocklahoma survive in a competitive industry where many festivals have disappeared.
“It’s a very tough business,” he said. “A lot of people think it’s lucrative. Unfortunately it’s not. It’s really a labor of love.”
A Community Effort
Reaching the 20-year milestone is especially significant because Rocklahoma remains an independently operated event rather than one run by a major entertainment corporation.
According to Turner, community involvement is one of the festival’s defining characteristics. Residents from Pryor and surrounding areas volunteer their time to help campers, move equipment, build structures and keep the event running smoothly.
“When Rocklahoma comes together, it is a community event,” Turner said. “It’s really an amazing thing to see come to life.”
The impact extends far beyond the festival grounds. Turner said Rocklahoma generates significant economic activity for Pryor, Mayes County and the state of Oklahoma as visitors purchase fuel, food, lodging and merchandise throughout the holiday weekend.
“We sell tickets in just about every state in America,” Turner said. “People come here from all over the country, some for the first time and some year after year.”
Fans at the Heart of the Festival
Radio personalities Lynn Hernandez and Jill Monroe of 103.3 The Eagle said Rocklahoma’s staying power comes largely from its loyal fan base.
“I’ve been at every Rocklahoma from 2007 to this year,” Hernandez said. “People come in from all over the country, and they see each other once a year.”
Monroe described the festival as a family reunion for rock fans.
“Lifelong friendships developed from the beginning years ago,” Monroe said. “They come and congregate every year. It’s like a reunion.”
The camping community has become legendary. Many camps host charity fundraisers, veteran support initiatives and themed gatherings that have become traditions in their own right.
Turner agrees that fan loyalty is what keeps Rocklahoma thriving.
“Without them, there is no Rocklahoma,” he said. “As much as the bands are a big part of it, it’s really about the fans.”
Heavy Hitters and New Discoveries
This year’s anniversary lineup combines established rock heavyweights with emerging acts.
Among the biggest draws is Slayer, the iconic metal band that returned to the stage after previously retiring. Turner called their appearance one of the festival’s major highlights.
“Slayer is one of the big four in heavy metal,” he said. “We’re fortunate enough to be one of only a couple shows they’re playing this year.”
Other headline acts include Godsmack, while fan favorites such as Papa Roach return to the festival. Hernandez also noted a special piece of Rocklahoma history: Slaughter, which played the inaugural festival in 2007, will return for the 20th anniversary celebration.
The weekend also features rising artists such as Dexter and the Moonrocks and crowd-requested acts like Insane Clown Posse, offering fans a diverse mix of established stars and emerging talent.
Festivities began with a Thursday night pre-party featuring tribute acts and regional performers, including an Ozzy Osbourne tribute band and a Van Halen cover band.
Looking Ahead
Festival organizers expect attendance to reach approximately 20,000 people per day this year, continuing a trend of strong turnout despite challenges facing the live music industry.
For Turner, the enduring appeal of Rocklahoma comes down to a simple formula: great music, dedicated fans and a unique atmosphere that can’t be replicated elsewhere.
“If you’ve never been, it really is a spectacle,” Turner said. “It’s a great, safe environment to come have a good time and see a lot of great music.”
And in the middle of rural Oklahoma, that’s exactly what thousands of rock fans plan to do once again this Labor Day weekend.
You can learn more about Rocklahoma by clicking here.
