Tulsa’s annual Pride Parade used to pass by Elote Cafe as it moved along South Boston Avenue. Restaurant owner Libby Billings and staff were among the participants, riding on a custom float in the June heat, searching for shady relief when the procession became surrounded by tall buildings.
Then in 2024 Oklahomans for Equality moved its Pride events to October to beat the heat, and it stuck.
After two years without a big downtown Pride party in June, Billings is ready to help northeast Oklahoma celebrate this weekend with the inaugural Elote Pride Festival. Admission is free.
The idea started with a conversation at home.
“My kid went to Fayetteville Pride last year and the year before, and I’m like, ‘Why are you going all the way to Fayetteville?’ and she’s like, ‘because there’s not a Pride in Tulsa anymore in June,’” Billings recalled.
Known for her popular annual Cinco de Mayo luchador battle royale on the street outside her Mexican restaurant, Billings talked to her staff and they all agreed Tulsa needed to do something similar — but different — in June.
“The first thing we did was we reached out to OkEq to make sure they were OK with this,” Billings said. “We’ve worked closely with them because Elote has a big queer following due to our drag shows and just being a really inclusive restaurant.”
The next thing Billings did was call members of the queer community to get their input. She wanted to be sure as a straight woman it was cool to throw a big gay weekend street party.
The response was a resounding “yes, girl!”
“They said I’ve always been an ally to the community like with the Pride parade float every year, and my queens say we host the longest running drag brunch in Tulsa, and I always try to be a good ally,” Billings said. “So here we are!”
Friday and Saturday is for the 18 and older crowd ready to party. There will be game shows, a Corn Queen Pageant, a taco eating contest, dance parties and more. Saturday’s drag brunch will be in the street with Shanel Sterling hosting and Pastel, Karma Eclectic and Daphne Rio taking part in the festivities.
Sunday is a family day for all ages with Drag Queen Story Hour, a Drag Your Dog Race and more. The full schedule is below.
“It’s just going to be fun and colorful, and who doesn’t love to have a margarita and a dance party in the middle of the street,” Billings said.
Friday
Suggested attire: Yeehaw and Rainbows
4 p.m.
DJ Hersh-yo-self
A happy hour dance party.
7 p.m.
Corn Queen Pageant
Fierce competitors: Shanel Sterling, Pastel, Porsche Lynn & Karma Eclectic in a showdown for the Corn Crown, hosted by Daphne Rio.
9 p.m.
Line dancing with Curtis Hale
It’s about to be a boot scootin’ boogie in the street. Chaps are encouraged.
10 p.m. to midnight
DJ Kylie & DJ Sydnee Lee
Dance into Saturday surrounded by historic buildings. This is a dance floor like no other in Tulsa.
Saturday
Suggested attire: Hotties and gear
9:30-11 a.m.
Namastreet Yoga
Led by Up Dog Yoga, featuring sound bath meditation from Sana Meditation and hosted by Downtown Tulsa Partnership. Bring your own mat. RSVP here.
11 a.m.
DJ Majda
A midday dance party to get loose.
Noon
Drag Brunch
Tulsa’s longest running Drag Brunch is taking it to the streets. Hosted by Shanel Sterling and featuring Pastel, Karma Eclectic and Daphne Rio. Wear a big hat and bring a fan and all the dollar bills.
2-5 p.m.
Patio Time with Queer Women’s Collective & KATNIP
Yard games, a Taco Eating Contest with YBR’s beloved Val & upbeat bangers from KATNIP. Hosted by QWC, Tulsa’s LGBTQ+ Women’s group dedicated to connecting and reconnecting. QWC is trans and non-binary inclusive. Allies and all are welcome to enjoy.
5:30 p.m.
Are You Smarter Than A Drag Queen?
It’s time to find out if you are smarter than a drag queen, including Frenchesqua, Daphne Rio, Shanel Sterling and Karma Eclectic.
7 p.m.
Queer Variety Show
From dance to music theatre, drag and burlesque. Performances feature Dali Darko, Rita D’LaVane, Sam Briggs, Maddy Breedlove, Karl Jones, Daphne Rio, Goddess Glimmer, Temple of Dance and more. Hosted by Thomas Farnan Williams and Caitlin Turner.
10 p.m. to midnight
DJ Sami
Dance under the night sky to DJ Sami’s Melodic’s world electronic beat.
Sunday
Suggested attire: Sunshine and rainbows
Noon
DJ Hersh-yo-self
Family Day kicks off with a dance party.
12:30 p.m.
Pride Bike Ride
Decorate your bike with rainbows and meet at Fifth and Boston. Team Sound Pony will lead you on a five-mile, family-friendly bike ride through downtown. Bring a helmet and plenty of water.
1 p.m.
Drag Queen Game Show
Is the Price Right? How fortunate is your wheel? The Queens & King will answer that. Featuring Valentino, Angela Doll, Karma Eclectic and Shanel Sterling. Don’t forget your dollar bills!
2:30 p.m.
Drag Queen Story Hour
Join Queens Kallaya and Shanel Sterling for an inclusive children’s story book hour.
3 p.m.
Drag Your Dog Parade
Drag your dog and bring them for a parade through the festival. Wig, nails, sequins, lashes and whatever else makes your pup fabulous! The parade is in partnership with Twisted Arts.
3:30 p.m.
Mariel Luna
Latin American singer and songwriter Mariel Luna performs from the main stage.
5 p.m.
Drag Queen Sing-Along
Sing your favorite Pride anthems with Karma Eclectic, the hostess with the mostess of Elote’s Drag sing-alongs. Featuring Kallaya.
6 p.m.
Queer Trivia with Sondra Martinez
Sondra Martinez will test our knowledge with a round of Queer Trivia fun to close out the festivities.
News decisions at the Tulsa Flyer are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
