Tulsa, OK

Tulsa has built brand-new streets for Mayfest 2008. Construction at the festival site is complete and the area is ready for art, music and food lovers to come downtown and enjoy this favorite springtime event.Mayfest’s traditional location has received a makeover, both this year and just a few years ago. Tulsa’s former Main Mall area, which includes Main Street from Third to Sixth streets and Fifth Street between Boston and Boulder avenues was reconstructed and opened to motor traffic in 2005.

Another traditional Mayfest location – Boston Avenue between Third and Fourth streets – was rebuilt in a project completed in February 2008. Boston Avenue from Third Street to Seventh Street was reconstructed with decorative sidewalk features. Also, Boston Avenue between Third and 10th streets changed from one-way traffic to two-way traffic.

This week, construction is complete on two other Mayfest streets: Third Street between Boulder Avenue and Cincinnati Avenue; and Fourth Street between Boulder Avenue and Boston Avenue.

Mayfest is scheduled for May 15-18, 2008 in Tulsa.

Visit the Mayfest Official Website

Festival Information

When:
Thursday, May 15th     11:00am- 11:00pm
Friday, May 16th           11:00am- 11:00pm
Saturday, May 17th      11:00am- 11:00pm
Sunday, May 18th         11:00am- 6:00pm

Where:
The heart of beautiful downtown Tulsa on Main Street between 3rd and 6th Streets, the Green at 3rd between Main and Boston, and 4th between Main and Boston. Click Here for a site map.

What:
Mayfest is an outdoor tribute to the arts and music that is a family-oriented event created to promote a broader knowledge of and appreciation for arts and humanities among serious, as well as casual art lovers.

Cost:
FREE! That’s right, 120 artists, 3 stages of entertainment, an indoor Invitational Gallery, indoor Youth Art Gallery, and KidZone featuring family friendly entertainment and hands-on art projects all for free!

Parking and Shuttle Service:
Parking is available at on-street locations as well as lots and garages surrounding the festival site. Fees will vary as they may be owned by different companies.
For just $2 festival goers can ride and park at OSU-Tulsa (Lot D) and be dropped off at 4th & Boston on the Mayfest site. The shuttle will be operated on Thursday and Friday, 4:30pm-11:30pm, Saturday, 11:00am-11:30pm and Sunday, 11:00am-6:30pm.

Artists:
Mayfest showcases the artwork of approximately 120 artists along Main Street, which includes about 85% Visual Artists and 15% Market Artists. Visual artists are accepted into Mayfest after a highly selective jurying process. Visual artists offer fine art in a variety of mediums, including everything from sculpture to jewelry. Market artists are artists and craftsmen that usually feature items such as toys, folk art, hand-painted T-shirts, leather goods, calligraphy, etc.

Artists booths will be open Thursday-Saturday 11:00 am -8:00pm and Sunday 11:00 am-6:00 pm.

Invitational Gallery:
Some of the best artists from the Tulsa area will be invited to showcase their work in the Mayfest Invitational Gallery, located in the lobby of the Williams Towers at 3rd and Boulder. The gallery is an indoor exhibition with all art available for purchase.

The Invitational Gallery will be open Thursday 11:00am-6:00pm, Friday 11:00am-8:00pm, Saturday 11:00am-6:00pm and Sunday 11:00am-3:00pm.

Youth Art Gallery:
The Youth Art Gallery, located in the Performing Arts Center at 3rd and Cincinnati, proudly displays art from the talented students of local schools within Tulsa County.

The Youth Art Gallery will be open Thursday-Saturday 11:00am-9:00pm and Sunday 11:00am-6:00pm.

AHCT Mayfest Young Artist Awards:
The Mayfest Young Artist Awards are presented to five high school students to foster personal growth and development in the arts. This year, Mayfest, in conjunction with the Arts & Humanities Council of Tulsa, wishes to recognize Stephanie Jackson, who retired this year, after thirty-five years of volunteering for Mayfest, by establishing the Stephanie Jackson Outstanding Young Artist Award. Stephanie has a dedication to and a passion for the arts – and arts education.  This award is given to the Young Artist that the selection committee believes exhibits the highest degree of development of their artistic talents.

Center Gallery:
Mayfest’s newest indoor art gallery is “The Center Art Gallery” Presented by T.D. Williamson, Inc.  This wonderful gallery, located in the lobby of the Park Centre Building at 525 S. Main, features the art of the students of the Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges.  Truly inspiring, this Gallery is definitely worth a visit.  For more information about The Center, visit www.tulsacenter.org

The Center Gallery will be open Thursday-Saturday 11:00am-6:00pm and Sunday 11:00am-3:00pm.

Performing Artists:
With over 75 performances on 3 stages, you’re sure to find a concert to enjoy at Mayfest!  Joe Diffie, an Oklahoma native and country star, will be headlining the festival.  Be sure to catch the free concert at the Williams Green Stage, at 3rd and Boston, at 9:30pm on Saturday night.

KidZone:
KidZone is located at 6th and Main Streets and features a variety of activities for children of all ages to enjoy the arts. There will be painting, singing, dancing, and much more!

KidZone will be open Thursday-Saturday 11:00am-7:00pm and Sunday 11:00am-5:00pm.

Samson Plaza hosting the Creative Culture Courtyard
Check out our wonderful chalk art installations and performance art on Samson Plaza on your way into the Invitational Gallery. Activities include chalk art event called Towers and Flowers, Human Art Instillation Butterflies, and you can also release your own creative energy by painting bricks or performing in the live performance area.

Bring your family and friends to The Creative Culture Courtyard Saturday from 11am-8pm or Sunday 11am-6pm and let your creative side show.

ArtCar Parade:
Living Arts of Tulsa is once again sponsoring the Tulsa ArtCar Weekend.  Be sure to check out the ArtCar Parade at 2:00 pm on Saturday, May 17th at 3rd & Cincinnati.

Food:
Mayfest offers a variety of food choices sure to please any festival-goer. Our food vendors offer everything from gyros, corn dogs, sausages, ravioli, funnel cakes, and turkey legs to cotton candy, pizza, and ice cream.

Beverages:
Non-alcoholic beverages including a variety of soft drinks, tea, water, lemonade and other specialty drinks are offered at food vendor booths throughout the site.

Alcoholic beverages include Budweiser beer products, Oklahoma wines, and frozen drinks (margaritas, daiquiris, and pina coladas made from a malt liquor base enhanced with tequila or rum extract).

Please don’t drink and drive; let a taxi be your designated driver.

Coupons:
Coupons are required for all food and beverage purchases and are sold in increments of $.50. Food vendors DO NOT accept cash.

Coupon booths are located at 5th and Main, 4th and Main, 3rd and Main, and on the Green (at 3rd between Main and Boston). Coupon locations on the Green and the west coupon booth at 5th and Main accept credit cards.

Souvenirs:
Official Mayfest souvenirs include 2008 commemorative posters (including those signed by the artist), T-shirts, note cards,and tote bags in addition to past Mayfest souvenirs. Credit cards are accepted at official souvenir locations.

Wheelchairs:
Wheelchairs are available, free of charge, with a refundable deposit at Souvenirs, located at 319 S. Main.

Restrooms:
Portable facilities, including wheelchair accessible, are provided throughout the festival site at the following locations: 6th & Main, 5th & Boulder, 4th & Main, 3rd & Main, and 3rd & Boston.

ATM Locations and Credit Cards:
MidFirst Bank’s ATM machine is located on the northeast corner of 4th and Boston. The souvenir stores, several coupon booths, and many artists accept major credit cards.

Festival Rules:
No coolers or backpacks allowed on site.
No outside food or beverage allowed on site. Revenue from on-site food and beverage sales allows the Festival to remain an admission-free event.
For the safety of your pet, we ask that you please leave your pets at home due to the festival being on pavement, the heat, and the number of people at the festival.

Questions:
Please feel free to email comments@tulsamayfest.org or call the Mayfest office at 918.582.6435.