Tulsa’s Great Raft Race plans final splash with farewell float

The Great Raft Race will set sail for the last time on Saturday, closing out a Tulsa tradition that has spanned generations. Organizers are marking the finale with a farewell celebration along the Arkansas River.

From launch to legacy

First launched in 1973, the race drew hundreds of homemade rafts and tens of thousands of spectators each Labor Day. Safety concerns led to its cancellation in 1991, before it was revived in 2015 with a renewed mission to reconnect the community to the river.

The final float

Sunday’s sendoff will feature a community float, inviting participants to take one last trip down the river together.

“Whether you paddled, planned, sponsored, or cheered from the shore, you are all part of this story and all are welcome,” organizers said in a statement. “Let’s gather one more time to toast the legacy of the race and the future of river recreation in Tulsa.”

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What’s ahead

While the traditional Labor Day raft race is ending, organizers say the mission to activate the river isn’t over. There are plans for new river-focused events in the future, so the door remains open to new ways to engage Tulsa with its riverfront.

Food, music and memories

The farewell celebration will also include food trucks, live music and giveaways, offering attendees a chance to savor the spirit of the race one more time.

When and where

The event runs from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, at River Parks East Bank. Guests can also rent from Zink Lake Rentals and launch kayaks from the new dock near 17th and Riverside.

Organizers say it is not just the end of a race but a chance for Tulsa to celebrate a tradition that helped reshape its river and community.