Global Gatherings World Festival Coming To Tulsa's Gathering Place

A gathering of Tulsa's diverse cultures is taking the community on a trip around the world.

The Global Gatherings World Festival is on Saturday, August 10 from 4-9 p.m. at ONEOK Boathouse and the QuikTrip Great Lawn.

It wraps up the park's weekly summer series, Global Gatherings.

"In the weekly program, we focused a lot on the local Tulsa community," said Bailey Stokes. "For this, we are bringing in a Colombian band, we have also got our headliner, Iam Tongi from Hawaii, he was the winner of American Idol last year."

In addition to performances, there will also be food trucks to taste the flavors of the world, a vendor market, demonstrations, games, and hands-on activities.

"As a park for all, Gathering Place really wanted to provide a space for these individuals to come share," Stokes continued saying, "I think it is wonderful when people get to connect and learn about each other's backgrounds and traditions."

Sharing and teaching Chinese culture is the very reason Dr. Alpha Chang moved to Tulsa.

"When people know another culture, they will start to develop an appreciation and love toward it," she said.

During the World Festival, Dr. Chang will help attendees make a Chinese herbal pouch to take home.

"People originally used them as an aroma pouch before the fragrance was invented," she said.

Having a space to share these stories is something Dr. Chang is grateful to Gathering Place for.

"It is very important to build the bridge for people to come across that gap," she added.

A gap that would typically be separated by plane, now just a short drive away.

"You do not have to take a flight to another country or travel," said Stokes. "You can learn about these amazing cultures and experience their food, their traditions, and their music right here in Tulsa."

The Global Gatherings World Festival is free to attend. Shuttle services are available from the parking lot at 33rd Place and Riverside Dr. to Williams Lodge from 3-10 p.m.