Tulsa Christmas Parade

Tulsa Christmas Parade
128 Pages
ISBN 13 978-1-4671-2765-3 52199

Since 1926, the Tulsa Christmas Parade has entertained thousands of children and adults year after year as it winds through the historic streets of downtown Tulsa. In its early days, when Tulsa was a new town booming with rapid growth from the recent discovery of oil, the Christmas parade quickly became an annual tradition that has continued to be a favorite event for the past 90 years. Throughout part of its history, the parade has been held at night, and Tulsa and the surrounding communities have come together to put on elaborate, twinkling displays—full of sparkling lights—including floats, marching bands, and large balloons, culminating each year with the guest of honor, Santa himself, making a special trip from the North Pole all the way to Tulsa, Oklahoma. This book explores the grandeur and excitement of Tulsa Christmas Parade’s history against the backdrop of one of the largest collections of Art Deco architecture in the United States.

Jessica Gullo has served as creative director for Tulsa Christmas Parade since 2015 and enjoys researching and preserving history for others to enjoy. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Oklahoma) served as the mayor of Tulsa from 1978 to 1984 and was a member of the US House of Representatives from Oklahoma’s First District from 1987 to 1994. Since 1994, he has represented Oklahoma in the US Senate. For almost 40 years, Inhofe has been a fixture of the parade, riding his horse and greeting parade goers.

The Images of America series celebrates the history of neighborhoods, towns, and cities across the country. Using archival photographs, each title presents the distinctive stories from the past that shape the character of the community today. Arcadia is proud to play a part in the preservation of local heritage, making history available to all.

Jessica Gullo

About Jessica Gullo (Tulsa, Oklahoma Author)

Jessica Gullo

Jessica Gullo has served as creative director for Tulsa Christmas Parade since 2015 and enjoys researching and preserving history for others to enjoy. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) served as the mayor of Tulsa from 1978 to 1984 and was a member of the US House of Representatives from Oklahoma's First District from 1987 to 1994. Since 1994, he has represented Oklahoma in the US Senate. For almost 40 years, Inhofe has been a fixture of the parade, riding his horse and greeting parade goer.