Oklahoma Centennial–Tulsa Committee Announces Kickoff Week in Nov. 2006
By D.J. MORROW INGRAM
Associate Editor
SPIRITED GIFT TO OKC: Members of the Oklahoma Centennial-Tulsa Committee were present at the announcement of the 2006 Kickoff Celebration, when the Spirit Pole was given as a gift to Oklahoma City. From left are Don Walker, Blake Wade, Governor Brad Henry, Tulsa Mayor Bill LaFortune, and Committee Co-Chairs Howard Barnett and Sharon King Davis.
DJ MORROW INGRAM for GTR Newspapers
The Oklahoma Centennial– Tulsa Committee recently announced plans for the statewide Centennial Kickoff Celebration to be hosted by Tulsa, Nov. 9 to 19, 2006, and the Oklahoma Centennial Spirit Pole.
“Celebrating our Centennial is a wonderful way to bring all the communities of our state together and to educate our citizens about our rich heritage,” said Oklahoma Centennial Commission Executive Director Blake Wade.
Kickoff week plans include more than a dozen activities held throughout Tulsa with several feature events. A fireworks and laser light show will be held Nov. 16, 17 and 18 at various locations in the Tulsa area. The Oklahoma’s Best Fest will showcase Oklahoma’s history, heritage, culture, business, products, recreation, citizens and more. The Indian Nations Showcase plans to illustrate Native American people, history and economic development issues. A family-friendly River Fest will bring food, entertainment and recreational activities to the banks of the Arkansas River at River Parks.
Paula Marshall-Chapman and Sharon King Davis co-chair the Marketing and Promotions Committee for Oklahoma Centennial–Tulsa. The two say kickoff week events will feature a combination of education and entertainment.
“Oklahoma Centennial Kickoff Week in Tulsa is going to be amazing. The events we’re planning are going to make everyone very proud to be an Oklahoman,” said King Davis.
The committee also unveiled a scaled replica of the Oklahoma Centennial Spirit Pole—a 20-foot art piece that will adorn sidewalks, businesses and other locations as a way to increase awareness about the Oklahoma Centennial and to beautify Tulsa.
The first Spirit Pole will be Tulsa’s gift to Oklahoma City, in response to, and out of appreciation for, Oklahoma City’s gift to Tulsa on October 4 of a Centennial Clock (permanently installed at the corner of 3rd Street and Boston Avenue in downtown Tulsa).
The Oklahoma Centennial Spirit Pole features a variety of colorful streamers atop a light pole fixture. The Spirit Poles will be sold to sponsoring organizations and individuals for $10,000 each, including installation. Sponsors may choose whether to use the included lighted element atop the pole for special nighttime visibility.
The Oklahoma Centennial Spirit Pole symbolizes Tulsa’s colorful Native American heritage, the oil gushers that built our City, our reach for the skies through aerospace, and our passion for the arts, all of which inspire the Tulsa Spirit of achievement and optimism.
“What a fabulous way to celebrate our heritage, raise awareness for the Centennial and beautify Tulsa,” said King Davis.
Updated 10-25-2005
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