Thousands of fans descended on Stillwater this weekend to catch their favorite artist, reunite with old friends and join the Red Dirt festivities at “The Boys From Oklahoma” concert series.
After 15 years, Cross Canadian Ragweed reunited and took the stage with Turnpike Troubadours, Stoney LaRue, The Great Divide and Jason Boland & The Stragglers. Many fans crossed state borders to witness history.
Alan and Nancy Bennett, while enjoying some live music before Saturday’s concert, remembered the first time they heard Stoney LaRue on the radio.
“We heard a Stoney LaRue song way back then and went to see him,” Nancy said.
After discovering LaRue, Nancy and Alan discovered other Red Dirt artists, expanding their love for the genre. The Bennetts are from the Dallas-Fort Worth area and enjoy going to concerts together.
“We are retired, and this is our passion,” Alan said. “We go toward the good music.”
After 20 years of listening to the same music, Alan and Nancy are thankful they found each other.
“It’s really great when you find a person that has the same interest as you,” Alan said.
Alan and Nancy made the four-hour trip to Stillwater for the love of music, but others hit the road for the memories.
Addison Meziere and Jentry Holt are Oklahoma State graduates, and Sunday’s concert offered them the perfect reason to return to Stillwater.
“It’s a good excuse to come back,” Holt said. “It’s a great place to be and support people from Oklahoma.”
Meziere’s love for the Red Dirt genre grew at OSU, and she was excited to see the Turnpike Troubadours. She said the crowds were similar to game days, but on “steroids.” Holt said it felt about the same.
“It’s the same vibe as far as finding parking and a place to eat, but that’s a good problem to have.”
A surge in customers, while hectic, was not a problem local businesses minded. Ava Chandler works at Eskimo Joe’s and worked during the weekend’s chaos. She carried a tray with a piece of paper taped on it. The paper read: “Ask me about cheese fries.” Chandler said the weekend rivaled the hustle and bustle of game days in Stillwater.
“Usually, game days are crazy, but this has been a little bit crazier, especially having four straight days of it,” Chandler said.
Despite the crowded circumstances, Chandler said she hopes events like “The Boys From Oklahoma” happen more frequently.
“I think they should do it again,” Chandler said. “I think it brings a lot of business to Stillwater, and it brings a lot of people here.”
The concert brought people from all over, including those who prefer crimson and cream over orange and black. Holly Riley made the trip from Norman to Stillwater to listen to the local artists playing around the stadium, like White Lighters at the Midway Stage, and Cross Canadian Ragweed in Boone Pickens. Riley said she is a University of Oklahoma fan all the way, but enjoyed her time in Stillwater.
“Boomer Sooner,” Riley said. “It’s actually been really lovely. Everyone’s been great.”