Registration is still open for Claremore’s favorite bike ride – Dickens of a Ride – debuting its ninth year on Oct. 1.

The family-friendly ride is perfect for all ages and skill levels with seven distances ranging from a seven-mile Lazy Lake Loop up to a century. All distances begin at 8 a.m. at Gazebo Park, located at Weenonah Avenue and Will Rogers Boulevard.

Along with the always-popular 30-, 50-, 62- and 100-mile routes, riders can choose a shorter 18-mile path or a more aggressive 76-mile ride.

“Dickens of a Ride is a wonderful, fun ride,” said Jessica Jackson, director of Claremore Main Street. “The routes are complete with great rest stops and volunteers, home baked goodies and quirky roadside stops.”
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REGISTER NOW!

Registration for all distances is $30. Riders can register online prior to the event or in person during packet pickup/registration. Packet pickup/registration is Thursday night from 5-7 p.m. at Bike-About Bicycles, 300 W. Will Rogers Blvd., or Saturday morning beginning at 6 a.m. at Gazebo Park.

A few long-sleeved T-shirts remain for sale for $20. They are available on a first-come, first-serve basis at packet pickup/registration.

The ride includes well-supplied rest stops and SAG and mechanical support through 5 p.m. as well as a map with instructions.

More than 30 door prizes will be given out randomly to riders. Once returning, riders should visit the registration table at the finish line to see if they won and to claim their prize.

The riders will receive a goodie bag with discounts to local stores as well as handy information about Claremore and other events.

Included in the packet will be a Visit Claremore Passport. Riders have a month to complete 10 of the passport stops. The first 30 returned will receive a special gift from Claremore Main Street and all returned will be entered to win a grand prize.

“I love the passport idea,” Jackson said. “We’ve worked closely with Visit Claremore to find a fun way to encourage riders to stay in or come back to Claremore to see all the great things we have to offer!”

The finish line, sponsored by RCB Bank, will include food truck Jen’s Java, massages by Rhapsody Boutique & Spa and consultations with Reset Chiropractic.

Boom-a-Rang Diner will provide a $2.99 rider breakfast special before the ride on Oct. 1. Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Claremore and La Quinta are both offering special rates for riders.

The event is made possible thanks to a number of sponsors, especially major sponsor Bike-About Bicycles.

Supporting Sponsors are Kevin Fortna CPA, McDonald’s and Boom-a-Rang Diner. Rest Stop Sponsors include Destiny Life Church, Will Rogers Masonic Lodge, Boy Scouts Troop 88, Meltons Sales and RSU Softball.

Proceeds from the ride benefit Claremore Main Street, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the revitalization of the downtown district and reigniting the area as the social core of our community.

For more information or to register, visit downtownclaremore.org. The official ride hashtag is #DickensRide2016.

Downtown Claremore’s Food Truck Thursday this month offers an opportunity for residents to decorate the streets with beautiful pieces of chalk art during the first I Art Claremore – Downtown Chalk Walk.

The monthly event, set in downtown Claremore from 6-9 p.m., features local band The Aviators, a magic show by Spotlight Magic, a free Kids Zone by First United Methodist Church, more than 10 food trucks and late-night shopping deals.

The Downtown Chalk Walk is an informal artist showcase. Artists and amateurs alike can create their masterpieces in 3-foot-by-3-foot squares in the 300 block of Will Rogers Boulevard in the Kids Zone area. The Chalk Walk is not exclusive to children, however, and teens and adults are encouraged to participate.

The drawings will be put in an album on Friday on the Claremore Main Street’s Facebook page
​“I Art Claremore – Downtown Chalk Walk is a neat addition to this month’s Food Truck Thursday,” said Jessica Jackson, Claremore Main Street’s director. “It’s a chance for everyone to put their mark on our city.”

​Spotlight Magic will offer a free magic show from 7-7:30 p.m. at the stage in between sets by The Aviators.

The Kids Zone is completely free to attendees, but parents are asked to watch their children while they enjoy the bounce houses and fun activities.

Boarding House Books, 300 W. Will Rogers Blvd., will feature a book signing by local authors Monica Withers, Valerie Knapp, Jane Rogers, Debbie Noble and Mary Coley.

This month, the event features a few new food trucks, brought in to provide more variety and potentially shorter food lines.

“We want to continue to evolve and improve our event,” said Carol Thibodeau, the event committee chairwoman and owner of Rhapsody Boutique & Spa, 318 W. will Rogers Blvd. “While the favorites are back again, we invited some new trucks to keep things fresh for our guests.”

Twelve food trucks are scheduled to attend, giving guests a variety of cuisine and desserts. Food trucks include Meltdown Gourmet Grilled Cheese, Dorothy’s Wiches, MooChewSooey BBQ, Taqueria El Jarocho, Papos Latin/American Cafe, Curbside Comfort, Jeremiah’s A Cafe of Hope, Kona Ice, Tacos Maranatha, Wild Al’s, Maw & Paw Kettle Corn and Jen’s Java.

In addition to Food Truck Thursday’s events on Will Rogers Boulevard, Light of Hope will host a free outdoor movie, Pixar’s Cars, beginning at 8 p.m. in the Rogers County Courthouse Parking Lot.

Light of Hope is a nonprofit ministry outreach focused on assisting individuals and families faced with struggles of addition or life difficulities.

There is one other Food Truck Thursday remaining this season. Rogers County residents can enjoy the final one, Downtown Zombie Infestation, on Oct. 27.

The monthly event is hosted by the Downtown Merchants Group and Claremore Main Street, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the revitalization of the downtown district and reigniting the area as the social core of our community.

It’s time to grab those gal pals and head out to enjoy a ladies night out at the 11th annual Ladies Lifestyle event in Claremore on Oct. 11.

Hosted from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Claremore Conference Center at 1400 Country Club Drive, Ladies Lifestyle features shopping, massages, hors d’oeuvres from local restaurants, wine samples, a health panel by presenting sponsor Hillcrest Hospital, a photo booth and giveaways every half hour.

The night will cap off with the second Leading Ladies Awards, presented by 98.5 KVOO Morning Radio host Sunny Leigh and media personality Michelle Lowry.

“The Leading Ladies Awards honors local women in our community who stand out, whether it’s behind the scenes, as a leader in health or as a rising star,” said Jessica Jackson, director of Claremore Main Street, one of the event’s hosts. “It’s my favorite part of the night because it’s our chance to celebrate each other and the women who make this community great.”

There are seven categories: Behind the Scenes, Business Leadership, Community Supporter, Leader in Health, Nonprofit Leadership, Leading Lady of the Year and a new category, Rising Star, which highlights an emerging leading lady.
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Nominate someone now!

Nominations are free. Nomination forms can be found at claremore.org or by visiting the Claremore Chamber of Commerce, 419 W. Will Rogers Blvd. The nominations are judged by out-of-town judges. The awards will be presented at 8 p.m.

The health panel will include a variety health professionals from Hillcrest Hospital. Panelists will each offer a short presentation and will be available to answer questions.

“There’s just a little bit for everyone,” Jackson said. “Whether you want to shop, be pampered or learn a little more about women’s health, Ladies Lifestyle is the event for you.”

General admission for the entire evening is $10. VIP tickets, which gives guests a seat at the Leading Ladies Awards presentation and a meet-and-greet with Leigh and Lowry, are $25. VIP tickets are limited. Advanced tickets can be purchased at the Chamber office during regular business hours.

Major sponsors of this year’s event are RCB Bank, Wallace for Life, Tulsa Federal Credit Union, A&B Bail Bonds, BancFirst, A New Image, Elizabeth Jean Salon and NTC.

“We are thankful for our sponsors, without whom we wouldn’t be able to offer this wonderful event for women,” Jackson said.

The event is hosted by the Claremore Area Chamber of Commerce and Claremore Main Street, nonprofit organizations designed to better improve the quality of life in Rogers County and enhance business success in the area.

For additional information about the show or to register as a vendor, please call the Claremore at (918) 341-2818 or Main Street at (918) 341-5881.