Tulsans Celebrate Cinco De Mayo With Street Party Downtown

There's a street party happening in Tulsa's Blue Dome District to celebrate Cinco De Mayo.

Just days after the city lifted the mask mandate, the owners of Arnie's and Reds bar said they wanted to give people something to celebrate, and some folks here in downtown Tulsa say they're happy that a sense of normalcy is finally back.

"I'm fully vaccinated, so I thought 'why not,'" Tulsan Devon Buffer said. "I was really excited to go out and do something." 

This party off 2nd Street and Elgin is free and open to everyone of all ages.

Food trucks, Latin music and outdoor bars are set up to give people an authentic Cinco de Mayo feel.

Dan Mason, the owner of Reds bar said he missed the grind of planning big events like this during the pandemic. 

"Doing the job....I mean getting everything set up and then watching it come to fruition is really fun," Mason said. It's just fun having a party in the street....people like to drink and have a party in the street." 

Tulsan Devon Bufford said he's glad downtown is coming back to how it was thriving before COVID-19. 

"This is probably my first time out drinking anywhere," Buffer said. "I haven't been out in a bar or anything in almost a year like everyone else." 

"There's still you know uneasiness and some social distancing still and some people still wear masks and some haven't," Mason said. "Everyone is still finding a way to come out and have fun." 

Organizers say there will be live music throughout the night, with a DJ taking the stage at 7 p.m.