Tulsa City Council Delays Action On Holiday Parade Permit

Emory Bryan, News on 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -- The Tulsa City Council did not approve, or deny, a permit for the "McNellie's Holiday Parade of Lights" Thursday night.

The item was delayed after a controversy arose over the name of the parade, because it does not include the word "Christmas." Several city councilors would prefer the name include "Christmas."

U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe brought the issue to light when he announced he would no longer participate in the parade because of the name, which was changed last year. It had previously been called the "PSO Parade of Lights," but was more commonly known as the Tulsa Christmas Parade.

11/30/2010 Related Story: Senator Jim Inhofe: Put 'Christmas' Back In Tulsa Parade

The parade is scheduled for December 11, 2010, and the Council had the item on their agenda for December 2. Their delay will move the item to a December 7 meeting for discussion, and a December 9 meeting for possible approval. The permit is required for the event to be held, even though permits are occasionally issued after an event has taken place.

The parade is a private event and the permit expresses City of Tulsa approval for street closures.