Tulsa, Okla. – Excitement is growing for the unearthing of a 1957 Plymouth Belvedere buried in downtown Tulsa for 50 years, and the City of Tulsa and Tulsa County recently added to that excitement with some important announcements.
Mayor Kathy Taylor has announced that the City of Tulsa will waive the fees associated with the use of the Maxwell Convention Center for the events involving the buried Belvedere. On June 15, 2007, the car will be unearthed from its vault at 6th and Denver at noon and taken to the Convention Center, where it will be officially unveiled before the public at 6:30 p.m. in the Convention Center Arena. The car will be the primary attraction at an invitational car show that weekend, which will also take place at the Convention Center. The Mayor also has committed to coordinate public safety issues with the Tulsarama committee and Tulsa County officials.
“This will be Tulsa’s day to shine”, said Mayor Kathy Taylor. “The spotlight will certainly shine bright on Tulsa as people from all over the world come to see this unique unearthing. I am very pleased to offer my support for this event and the services of our city.”
On Thursday, April 19, the Tulsa county Budget Board, composed of the Board of County Commissioners and all the Tulsa County elected officials, unanimously passed a measure to aid the Tulsarama events as well, allocating $56,000 for law enforcement and safety involving the events.
“Tulsa County has been cooperating with the Centennial Commission and the Tulsa Historical Society for the last two years in making arrangements to unearth the 1957 Plymouth Belvedere,” said Tulsa County Commission Chairman Randi Miller. “Since the car is on county property, we want to be sure everything goes as smoothly and safely as possible for the Tulsa County constituents and out of town guests attending the events.”
“We could not be more thrilled with these generous donations,” said Sharon King Davis, Tulsarama co-chair. “We are so pleased that Tulsa County and the City of Tulsa have stepped forward in a spirit of cooperation to ensure the success of these important events.”
As part of “Tulsarama!” in 1957, citizens of Tulsa were asked to guess what the population of Tulsa would be in the year 2007. The entries were sealed and buried inside the vault with the brand new gold and white Belvedere. When the car and artifacts are excavated, the person whose guess is closest to Tulsa’s 2007 population or their closest identifiable heir is to be awarded the Belvedere. Among other items, the contents of a women’s purse, including bobby pins, a bottle of tranquilizers, cigarettes and an unpaid parking ticket, were also added to the glove compartment of the car shortly before burial. The car was buried to commemorate Oklahoma’s 50 years of statehood.
Event Information –
· 6:30 pm Friday, June 15 — Unveiling of the Plymouth Belvedere
Tulsa Convention Center. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. General Admission.
Tickets may be purchased at the Tulsa Convention Center or www.carsonattractions.com. Tickets are $5 for upper level seating and $10 for lower level seating. $10 ticket also includes admission to the Invitational Auto Show.
· June 15 – 17 – The Invitational Auto Show – Tulsa Convention Center. $5 Admission
· June 15 – 17 – The Tulsarama Open Car Show – Downtown Tulsa. Free. The Open Car Show takes place in designated parking lots surrounding the Tulsa Convention Center. These locations will include food vendors, cars, car clubs and exhibitors.
· 7:30 pm Saturday, June 16 City-Wide Sock Hop – Tulsa Convention Center. A nominal admission fee will be charged and a full concession stand will be available.
· Media Credentials – Media regulations, credentials and high resolution photos are available at www.buriedcar.com
· Visit www.buriedcar.com for more information and event updates.