Big St. Paddy's Day In Tulsa

By Chris Wright, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- A green-clad crowd descended on downtown Tulsa on Tuesday night.  Thousands showed up for annual St. Patrick's Day celebrations and a big-time concert.

Combine the usual St. Patrick's Day's parties with a sold-out Billy Joel and Elton John show at the BOK Center and you've got a crowded night in downtown.  Just as it does every year, the beer started flowing early on Tuesday at McNellies.

"St. Patrick's Day is our biggest day of the year, it's like our Christmas.  We're expecting most of Tulsa to be here, having a good time," said Jessica Scattergoob with McNellies.

People decked-out in green show up every year to have a good time at the popular Irish bar.  But, McNellies was expecting an even larger crowd in 2009.  First of all, the weather was ideal.

Secondly, in addition to the party-goers, an extra 19,000 people poured into downtown for the Billy Joel and Elton John concert.

Officials say the sold-out show has been one of the most-anticipated events in the brief history of the BOK Center.

Both events made for a crowded, but highly-anticipated evening.  After all, that is what city leaders envisioned when they began their push for downtown revitalization.

Tulsa Police were out in force to help with the pedestrian congestion.  They shut down portions of several downtown streets.