Tulsa International Mayfest began in 1973 as Jubilee ’73, organized by the Tulsa Junior League to mark its 50th anniversary. From 1974 to 1977, it was known as Festival ’74 through Festival ’77, under the leadership of the Tulsa Arts and Humanities Council and Downtown Tulsa Unlimited.
In 1978, it became Tulsa International Mayfest and began showcasing nationally known performers such as Sammy Davis Jr., Three Dog Night, and Blood, Sweat & Tears.
Celebrated in downtown Tulsa, Mayfest became a lively celebration of the arts, known for its juried art exhibitions, handmade crafts, live music, and food vendors. In 1985, the festival became an independent nonprofit, led by Mary Collins as its first director. By 2000, it attracted over 300,000 visitors each year and remained free to the public due to strong corporate sponsorship.
In 2023, the University of Tulsa acquired Mayfest and the Hardesty Arts Center. With support from volunteers and a renewed commitment to the arts, TU helped revive Mayfest in time for its 50th anniversary.
The 2025 Tulsa Mayfest, May 9-11, embraced the theme “Stay Gold,” inspired by S.E. Hinton’s novel, “The Outsiders,” and its recent Broadway adaptation, which is scheduled to be performed at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center this fall in October. The theme held special meaning, as Hinton is a University of Tulsa alumna.
A new addition this year was the MayFit 5K and 1K Fun Run, held Saturday morning, which took participants through several downtown districts.
The Kids Zone was moved indoors to 101 Archer, offering air conditioning, plenty of bathrooms, and ample space for children to enjoy arts and crafts in comfort. Its new location was also located near the Youth Art Gallery, where children and teens showcased their artwork for a chance to win scholarship prizes.
Kids’ World, the centerpiece of the family experience, offered free face painting, balloon art, live music, bubbles, inflatables, and more, creating the ultimate playground for young festival-goers and their families to enjoy quality time together.
The festival included four stages of live entertainment, each offering different types of performances. Headliners included R&B/pop artist Maya, country singer Caitlin Butts, and Madison Ryann Ward, known for her pop and contemporary R&B style with accents of gospel, blues, and folk, all scheduled at specific times throughout the weekend.
Beyond music, the stages also hosted dance acts, karaoke, and other performances, each curated to highlight different genres and styles. The layout encouraged attendees to explore and move between stages rather than stay in one spot, embracing the full spectrum of Mayfest’s artistic offerings.
Vendors at Mayfest are not just sellers; they are artists who spend all year crafting pieces for the festival. Their booths featured everything from $1 stickers to $1,000 original works, including crafts, jewelry, purses, and fine art. Many showcased Oklahoma-made pieces reflecting themes like contemporary art, Route 66, Tulsa history, and the “Stay Gold” motif.
Near the Woody Guthrie Center, visitors could also buy official Mayfest merchandise like t-shirts and posters. Food vendors like Hibachi In Tha Hood, Original Taste of Thai, Andolini’s Pizzeria, and others added to the vibrant atmosphere, making the vendor area a central, memorable part of the festival experience.
This year’s Mayfest was another huge success, with plenty to do, eat, and enjoy for all ages. It drew crowds from across Oklahoma and Texas, adding to its growing popularity.
Mona Chamberlain, editorial director for the University of Tulsa and public information officer for Mayfest, said she always looks forward to serving the Tulsa community with events that bring people together through culture.
“To find those common grounds so that people can come together from all walks of life and really just bond and mingle and get to know each other,” she said. “I’ve sat on blankets and had conversations with people on both sides of me while I’m listening to music.”
Her words reflect just how important events like Mayfest are to the spirit and unity of Tulsa.