Tulsa Preps For New Year's Celebration

Organizers are putting the final touches on what they're calling The Party. It's the city of Tulsa's official kick-off to 2012 and more than 20,000 people are expected to flood the streets.

There's a grandstand at the corner of 2nd and Elgin where local band SuckerPunch will perform. Stage managers were setting it up this afternoon.

Just a block away at 2nd and Frankfort, party planners readied the VIP party room ready where food and drinks will be served.

But the main event takes place across the street where an outdoor street party will watch the traditional ball drop at midnight as the sky lights up with fireworks.

This year, organizers moved the party from Brookside to the Blue Dome District to change things up and reflect how much downtown Tulsa is changing and growing.

Tulsa's identity will also be reflected in the actual ball that will ring in midnight.

Kent Harris, one of the event's organizers, approved the ball's design.

"I chose more of an art deco style. There are some Native American details to it. A little bit echoes the oil and gas industry. So, really, the things that identify Tulsa we tried to incorporate into the design itself," he said.

The party officially starts at 9 o'clock.