Downtown Oklahoma City Inc. joins holiday season spirit
TraditionsFamiliar events build sense of community in December

BY BRYAN DEAN
Published: November 23, 2008



Downtown in December is no longer a new idea.

Six years after Downtown Oklahoma City Inc. launched the concept, activities such as ice skating in front of the Civic Center have become part of the city’s holiday traditions, organizers said.

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Kim Searls, spokeswoman for Downtown Oklahoma City Inc., said the focus for the monthlong event has shifted to improving the activities that people enjoy the most, such as the ice rink and snow tubing at the AT&T Bricktown Ballpark.

Events will kick off at 5:30 p.m. Friday when Mayor Mick Cornett will light the SandRidge Christmas Tree.

Sponsored this year by Devon, the ice rink will look much different in the evening, Searls said. "We are going to do an expanded lighting program,” Searls said of this year’s event. "It is going to be a wonderful winter wonderland at night.”

Another idea that has taken off is free museum Sundays, Searls said. The idea started last year with the Oklahoma City Museum of Art and Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum offering free admission on Sundays.

Searls said the memorial museum will participate again this year, along with the Gaylord Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum, 1400 Classen Drive.

Organizers haven’t given up on new ideas for Downtown in December, but Searls said improving the events, putting up more lights and enhancing the holiday feel is becoming a bigger focus as residential developments continue to pop up and the area becomes more and more like a neighborhood.

"We’ve tried different events, and I think we’ve found what people like,” Searls said. "We’ve always said what Downtown in December is all about is making memories.”


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Wow. Jennifer you do realize Mayor Mick has nothing to do with these events. It's commonly known and the article states, this is Downtown OKC Inc's events aka DOKC. They are a private entity that puts on these events. Mick is just invited to the the "star" by lighting off the city's tree.
Steven, OKC - Nov 24, 2008 at 9:18 am
I love all of these December activities. Keep 'em coming Mayor Mick! You're doing a great job.
Jennifer, Oklahoma City - Nov 23, 2008 at 7:18 pm