Thousands Spend Thanksgiving At BMX Grand Nationals Event

Thousands of people came out to Tulsa's Expo Square Thursday to kick off a four-day BMX competition.

The hundreds of families traded in dinner tables for lawn chairs as they celebrated Thanksgiving outside RVs parked in the Expo Square parking lots.

"This is Thanksgiving, it's a great holiday, it's a great holiday weekend, and when they compete and they're racing on the track, they're serious, they're excited and they're loving what they're doing," said John David, USA BMX's chief strategy officer.

"But when they're off the track it's just families. It's families together and that's really what's unique about our sport," he said.

It's Mila Kelly's second Thanksgiving competing and Noel Weigel's third as part of the BMX family.

They celebrated the holiday by cooking turkey with a group of family and friends before camping overnight in RVs.

While celebrating one tradition, Mila carries on another.

"I love it because my dad did it when he was younger and this is like his dream, seeing his daughters do it," she said. "These memories last forever. I love it."

It's something you'll find at any one of the dozens of campers. People coming for the competition and staying for the community.

"Everybody is just there for each other, which is what we need right now. We need unity," said Weigel.