Press - BOK Center Announces Pre-Opening Events
Posted on: July 7, 2008
Garth Brooks and Mayor Taylor announce the pre-opening events at the BOK Center.
BOK Center Announces Pre-Opening Events
With Special Guest, Garth Brooks
The pre-opening events for the BOK Center were announced today in a press conference held at the BOk Tower. Bank of Oklahoma’s Senior Executive Vice President, Steve Bradshaw, welcomed the crowd and introduced the arena’s General Manager, John Bolton. Bolton revealed a series of events that will happen prior to the opening concert, which will be announced tomorrow at 10am at the BOK Center.
After the announcement of all the soft opening events, John Bolton
introduced Honorable Mayor Kathy Taylor. She was excited to introduce
Garth Brooks who attended the press conference to show his support of
the BOK Center. When asked about why he has decided not to open the BOK
Center, he stated, “If there’s a bad guy in this situation, you’re
looking at him” blaming logistics as to why he will not be opening the
BOK Center at this time. “If we do something in the BOK Center, it
will be something extremely cool, fun and will probably end up helping
children all over the world.” Garth stated he will, however, be
involved in the ribbon cutting ceremony on August 30th to show his
support.
The following is a list of events:
Super Flush – July 29 @ 3pm: This event will include 350 children from the Tulsa area to participate in the flushing of all the toilets at the same time at the BOK Center. Commemorative “I flushed it first” t-shirts will be given to all participants. Media invited.
Traditional Indian Blessing – August 25 from 9am - Noon: The Osage, Creek, Cherokee and Otoe (representing the Plains tribes) will conduct a traditional blessing of the BOK Center. Media invited.
Media Snoop – August 28 from 11:30 – 1:30: Local and regional media will be invited to lunch, take tours, and receive a briefing of the BOK Center before the first public event. Media Only.
Ribbon Cutting & Community Open House – August 30 from 10am – 4pm: This free event invites all of Tulsa and surrounding areas to the arena for a day of music, $1 concession items, contests, interactive games, and tours of the BOK Center. Media invited. Free Commemorative Poster to all attendees. Free parking at 100 West Garage courtesy of American Parking.
Multi-Faith Celebration – August 31 from 3pm – 4:30pm: One Song. Many Voices. The BOK Center’s Multi-Faith Celebration will feature a 300 person community choir with special guest, Sam Harris. Eleven different faiths will feature a ten minute blessing of the facility as part of the program. Free event, open to the public. Media invited. Free parking at 100 West Garage courtesy of American Parking.
Opening Night Concert – September 6: Who will it be? Find out tomorrow at 10am.
Construction Workers Honors – October 25: 1,000 workers will be recognized and honored at the first Tulsa Oilers home game.
BOK Center Art Collection Dedication – November 5: Official tour and presentation in conjunction with the Ruskin Art Society’s 100th Anniversary Celebration of all the artwork in the BOK Center.
All people attending the opening events will a special BOK Center commemorative poster.
The opening concert will be announced tomorrow at 10am at a press conference held on site at the BOK Center. All press is invited to attend. Please email Casey Sparks at or call 918-596-2244 for specific instructions.