50th Annual Mayfest Kicks Off In Tulsa

The 50th annual Mayfest kicked off in Tulsa on Friday. The University of Tulsa is in charge of the event for the first time.

The University of Tulsa said it had about 100 days to pull this off, after taking over the event.

"What seemed like an insurmountable challenge in February, has become a fantastic reality here in May,” TU President Brad Carson said.

Carson said people should expect improvements.

"Well I think the art's a bit better, the foods better, the music's gonna be better. So it's like the Mayfest you've always known, but it's a little bit better,” he said.

One thing that hasn’t changed is the looming threat of spring weather.

"I was kind of expecting it to be pouring rain right now. It's not Mayfest without a weather disaster,” Tulsa Mayor GT Bynum said.

Aside from all the art you can buy, for vendors, there is also the art of securing your tent from the wind.

Kerry Billington is an artist from Edmond. One sign that he's prepared, is the 25 pound dumbbell weights he's using to secure the front of his tent. The back of the tent has weight on it too.

He also lucked out with a street sign standing behind his tent, which he used for extra security.

“Ya, I tied it from here, to here, so that sucker isn't going anywhere,” Billington said. “It's like, I hope this is legal!"

Half a century of Mayfest -- and still hoping for sunshine.