Labor Day Weekend Festivities Continue With Big Dam Run

On day 2 of Tulsa's Big Dam Party, the festivities are still going strong.

“It’s been the buzz around town for a while, so I thought we’d come out and take part,” said Ryan Rupe.

Rupe and his 2 children are just a few of the hundreds of runners taking part in the first Big Dam Run.

 “It’s these 2’s first race of any kind so out here to have some fun and enjoy the Labor Day weekend,” he said. 

For his son, Roman, the 1-mile fun run is all about fitness.

“I’m about to play football next weekend,” he said. 

Executive director Destiny Green says people have been anxiously awaiting the Big Dam Party and run. 

“People are very excited, the energy is very contagious surrounding this whole weekend,” she said. 

She says excitement is especially high because runners get to experience the debut of Tulsa’s newest landmark.

The Big Dam Run offers people the opportunity to cross the brand-new Williams Crossing Pedestrian Bridge for the first time.

 “Who doesn’t want to be the first ones to cross the pedestrian bridge running?” said Green. 

Green says she expects people to stay long after the race is finished to take part in the Labor Day weekend fun.

 “I think everybody’s going to want to get out on the water and go see the large duck and everything,” she said. 

Hitting the water is on the agenda for Rupe and his family.

“These 2 love kayaking so we might get down there eventually,” he said. 

But for now, he says they’re eager to be some of the first feet on the new bridge and plan on enjoying their Labor Day weekend as a family at the Big Dam Party.

“I think we’ll stick around and have some fun and just see what's going on,” he said.