Tulsans Plan To Celebrate New Year’s Eve In New Ways, Some Traditions Remain

As Tulsans wrap up a year unlike any other, some are finding new ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve.   

For those who want a low-key celebration from home, Lambrusco'z Deli is serving up its own version of New Year's Eve dinner.  

"I felt like New Year's, normally that's when we go out and eat steak, and baked potatoes and crab cakes and champagne,” Owner Nancy Bruce said.  

Champagne doesn’t come with the deli’s NYE charcuterie box; but there is beef tenderloin, baby baked potatoes, cheese, meats and black-eyed peas, or as Bruce calls it, "Okie Caviar." 

She said that recipe involves a red wine vinaigrette, roasted red peppers and scallions. The box also comes with breakfast options for people to enjoy New Year's Day. 

For people who have had enough of their own homes this year, Hyatt Place just opened downtown two weeks ago and is offering a "Staycation Special," complete with a bottle of champagne for your room. 

Records from the Tulsa Health Department show just two safety plans were submitted and reviewed for New Year's Eve gatherings of 150 people or more.  

One is for an event at Marriott Tulsa Hotel Southern Hills.  

The other safety plan is at Whiskey 918, where the bar said it will be operating at 25 percent capacity, like it has since this summer.  

If the thought of being around people makes some want to run away, there's an event for that, too.   

"We really need to run out of 2020 as fast as we can,” RunnersWorld Owner Kathy Bratton said.  

The annual "Race Into the New Year" 5K kicks off at 11:45 p.m. at River West Park, so people can sprint away from this year, and into 2021.  

"People keep calling and asking, ‘Are you racing?' We're gonna race. Racers are a hearty people and so they'll get out in all kinds of weather,” Bratton said.  

Bratton said the event usually attracts hundreds of runners, and everyone gets black-eyed peas. While they will not be serving up that tradition this year, Lambrusco'z has Tulsans covered with plenty of options, including a black-eyed pea fritter. 

"We have peas every way you can eat 'em. Please even if you just eat one. Eat some black-eyed peas this year,” Bruce said.  

It’s not too late to sign up for the 5K run. Runners can register online until 8:00 p.m. or show up before the race and register beginning at 10:45 p.m.