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Mayfest vendors prep for potential storms this weekend

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TULSA -- Tulsa's well known summer festival kicks off Friday morning, but a big concern is if Mayfest will be rained out yet again.

"There’s been tornado warnings and I have screenshots on my phone of just red over downtown," said Sarah Bowen, Artist and Owner of Tiny Things by Bowen.

It was a windy and sunny prep day for Tulsa's Mayfest, but with potential severe weather lurking around for the weekend, local artists tie down their work Thursday in anticipation.

"I sell jewelry and most of my displays are lightweight and flimsy and they blow all my stuff around so I’m a little worried," one vendor said.

Sarah Bowen, Artist and Owner of Tiny Things by Bowen, is no rookie in dealing with the elements.

"I make cement buckets that are my weights and I string them," said Bowen.

She's also learned tricks from fellow festival artists.

"You can put little like pool toys on the top of your tent from getting water in it so it rolls on the side," said Bowen.

Nearly every year, bad weather sweeps through Mayfest, and every year organizers plan accordingly.

"We have had like rivers going through but as long as your stuff is off the ground it’s okay," said Bowen.

This year Mayfest is using an App called Rained Out where artists, musicians, volunteers, and committee members who opt-in receive alerts for any weather or emergency related closures.

"It works really well for us, it gets the message out pretty quickly," said Heather Pingry, Executive Director of Mayfest.

The tents are all equipped with jugs filled with water, but artists are still taking extra steps to protect their spot.

For more information on this year's Mayfest, check out their website.

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