OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The heat and humidity did not slow down the first day of Rock USA Thursday, but organizers were worried that Friday’s hotter weather conditions could get even more dangerous.
This music festival brings in tens of thousands of people from all over the country. Some of them say they planned on Mother Nature’s warm welcome and weren’t going to let a little heat ruin the rock.
Mist fans were rocking almost as hard as the rock fans at Rock USA.
Scorching heat had people trying to stay cool however they could.
“Filling up my water, chugging it a lot, trying to find any kind of shade to sit under, and just a bunch of water and shade,” Brianna Finch of Iola said.
Tents around Ford Festival Park give fans both.
Water stations were a popular spot for people to find some relief.
“I got this camelback here, and just got tons of water in there so, as we’re walking around, you don’t have to go thirsty,” Monique Rourk of Saginaw, MI said.
Rock USA organizers were a bit concerned a
“We’re prepared for it, and our fans have a blast no matter what,” said Rock USA president Derek Liebhauser.
Storms canceled some of Rock USA’s biggest shows last year.
And just last month, storms at the same venue forced Country USA to evacuate.
“You know what, we’ve dealt with pretty much every condition here, so I’ve learned not to expect 78 and sunny, you know?” said Liebhauser, president of Hypervibe Inc., the company that produces both events.
The weather might not be perfect…
“I think it’s worth the heat,” Brianna Finch of Iola said.
But the fans at Rock USA say they’re not sweating it.
“I don’t think the heat could ever stop us from going to rock concerts, you know?” Mariah Adams said.
And some advice for others braving the hot temps at Rock USA:
“Plenty of water in between a drink!” Roshelle Youngblut of Mt. Vernon, Iowa suggested.
