A Jam-Packed June

Summer’s here, and some of Oklahoma’s most exciting experiences and events are in full swing. Whether you’re a sports enthusiast, spectator extraordinaire or film buff, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Deemed the “Super Bowl of cycling,” Tulsa Tough is celebrating 19 years of bicycle races this year. The three-day event, running June 6-8, features round-the-clock criterium and Fondo races routing through downtown Tulsa and along Route 66. 

Tulsa Tough was founded with a two-fold mission: to improve the city’s health outcomes and its image. 

“When we launched our first year, we knew we could produce a quality event… but we didn’t know if anybody would come, because we had this image of being ‘flyover country,’” shares Malcom McCollam, the event’s executive director. 

Luckily, the organizers’ instincts paid off. The event has grown, drawing crowds of up to 50,000 people. Up to 90% of registered racers travel to Tulsa Tough from out-of-state, generating an estimated economic impact of $5 million.  

Tulsa Tough’s theme this year is ‘Flyover This’ – a cheeky nod to the city’s rapid expansion in the last decade. 

“We’re the real deal,” says McCollam. “The theme is meant to evoke a sense of Tulsa pride.”  

Tulsa Tough’s impact, however, extends beyond three days of races. The organization has created Tulsa Tough Divas, a women’s empowerment group for cyclists of all skill levels. And earlier this year, Tulsa Tough also formed a men’s cycling group called Project Dudeman with a mission to destigmatize men’s mental health struggles. 

“Tulsa Tough is 100% a community-centric event,” says McCollam. “Our authentic belief was that we are here to support Tulsa, and we’ve been lucky enough that the community has embraced it.” 

Known as the home of the Women’s College World Series (WCWS), OKC’s Devon Park hosts the super regional softball winners to compete for the championship title this summer. The WCWS, running May 29-June 6, is the final culmination of a competitive regular season, regional tournaments and super regional tournaments, all of which involve a 64-team bracket and run throughout the month of May. The championship event has been held in OKC for over two decades.

“We truly are the softball capital of the world, because there is no other softball-specific venue like us,” says Craig Cress, CEO of OKC-based USA Softball. “The state of Oklahoma has always been a softball state. On top of the support we get locally, Devon Park offers a fan experience that is unmatched for softball anywhere else in the country.” 

Last year, the University of Oklahoma Sooners took home the gold medal in the national championship, and to date is the only NCAA team to win four WCWS championships in a row (2021-2024). Since 1982, Oklahoma has won the title eight times. 

The qualifying teams will compete against each other in a double-elimination format, with the top two teams squaring off in a best-of-three finale.  

Softball fans can purchase tickets to the World Series, or splurge on the all-new NCAA Fan Experience packages. Packages include refreshments, access to a private tent and special photo opportunities. 

NBA team the Oklahoma City Thunder has undoubtedly changed the landscape of the region. Oklahoma City’s GDP [Gross Domestic Product] grew by 62% between 2008 and 2023, and the city estimates that the team has an annual economic impact of $600 million. 

Recruiting Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook early in the team’s tenure, the Thunder has garnered enthusiastic support from Oklahomans. The excitement has continued to build as the current team has played two strong seasons back-to-back, with breakout players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (point guard) and Jalen Williams (small/power forward) leading the charge. In fact, the Thunder broke NBA records for the number of games won during the regular season this year, and SGA snagged both the NBA MVP Award and the Western Conference MVP Award. Last year, the Thunder advanced to the semifinals before being knocked out by the Dallas Mavericks. 

“We’ve played quality opponents for a stretch now and have quality opponents coming up,” head coach Mark Daigneault told MSN in April. “Everybody has something to play for, so it’s good. It sharpens our blade, it tests us and forces us to rise to a certain level if we want to win.”

The Thunder recently cinched a win at the Western Conference finals, making OKC’S Paycom Center the home court for half of the NBA Finals games begin in OKC on June 5.

“We just take it a day at a time,” Gilgeous-Alexander told The Canadian Press. “Try to get better with every game, every opportunity, and then hopefully by the end of the year, we’re where we want to be.”

Oklahoma’s largest and only Oscar-qualifying film event, the deadCenter Film Festival, has been bringing indie films to local audiences for 25 years. The festival screens hundreds of flicks each year, some of which may win an Academy Award.  

“When you win Best Short Animation, Best Short Narrative, or Best Short Documentary, you can apply to the Academy Awards,” explains Cacky Poarch, executive director at deadCenter. “We are only one of 27 film festivals in the United States that has those three designations, and I’m very proud of that.” 

The film festival, running June 11-15, was founded by two independent filmmakers, Jason and Justan Floyd. Their vision was to create a space for local filmmakers to connect and promote their projects. 

Since then, the festival has grown rapidly, attracting filmmakers and industry professionals from across the country. Receiving over 2,000 submissions, Poarch believes that this year’s festival will outdo previous years. 

“Every year, the submissions just get better and better,” she says. 

To pay tribute to its 25th anniversary, the festival will be extended to five days in 2025. Poarch reveals that there will be an emphasis on screening works from Oklahoman filmmakers, too. 

“There was always the dream of what deadCenter could be,” reflects Poarch. “I think we’re experiencing that now.” 

Main image cutline: Known as the ‘Super Bowl of cycling,’ Tulsa Tough rolls into town June 6-8. Photo courtesy Saint Francis Tulsa Tough