The first-ever 918 Day Festival is taking place Sept. 18 in Downtown Tulsa, and News On 6 is learning about the collaboration behind this community celebration.

The city created 918 Day in 2018 to celebrate Tulsa’s diverse heritage, arts and culture.

With the new festival this year, those involved said it is about time Tulsa had a community-wide celebration to wrap up the day.

Imagine Chapman Green, in the heart of downtown Tulsa, surrounded by performers, international foods and all kinds of shopping.

That is what Tony Williams, known to many as Mr. Greenwood, envisions for Sept. 18.

“This is special,” said Williams. “It started from a vision last year. Just to see this thing happening now, it's surreal.”

Williams is co-organizing the 918 Day Festival with the Downtown Tulsa Partnership and volunteers.

“We want this to be a place where people see themselves day in and day out,” said Brian Kurtz, president and CEO of Downtown Tulsa Partnership.

Branjae Jackson is among the eight performers who will be on two stages.

“It's about promoting the diversity, the originality of our Tulsa community,” said Jackson.

Other performers include a Native American dance group, a female guitarist and a Latin DJ.

There will also be more than a dozen food trucks and restaurants, plus shopping from vendors like Alessandra Malvaez.

She moved to Tulsa four years ago and opened her business making decorative sugar cookies.

She says she is excited to be a part of the celebration for a city that has welcomed her.

“The people, it's amazing right here,” said Malvaez. “They're super friendly. It's a city that's growing, and I love all the opportunities over here.”

The 918 Day Festival will be from 5 to 9 p.m. at Chapman Green.

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