Rogers County residents can skip the summer trip the beach as Food Truck Thursday brings the vacation to Claremore on June 29 for the Downtown Luau.

The evening event will run from 6-9 p.m. and will feature the band DocFell & Co. playing music in the 500 block, more than 15 food trucks, late shopping, two hula hoop contests, a dunk tank with a chance to dunk the mayor and a free Kids Zone by Cedar Point Church presenting Moana live in Claremore along with several other activities.

Food Truck Thursday is always free and open to the public, but food and some activities do cost.

“Downtown Luau is going to be a great opportunity for Rogers County to come out and enjoy an evening in downtown Claremore, listening to fun music, shopping, eating and even taking a crack at dunking the mayor!” said Kathy Glover, president of the Merchant’s Association and owner of the Cozy Cottage, 514 W. Will Rogers Blvd.

Jenny Meeks is an old-fashioned kind of lady. Quiet but forever with a smile on her face, Jenny greets customers every day at her store, Outwest Home Décor, 418 W. Will Rogers Blvd.

Prior to Outwest, she worked at Hallmark for more than two decades, but as soon as computers were introduced to the store, Jenny wanted out.

Despite technology at its most prevalent, Jenny does all her inventory and business management with a traditional paper and pencil, she said.

“I was familiar with what the customer wanted,” Jenny explained about branching out on her own. “They wanted larger statues and items that don’t fit on a counter. I saw a need for it and thought, ‘I can do that.’”

“We have décor for hunting, fishing, camping, lodges, really anything outdoors.”

Jenny epitomizes a strong work ethic. In the winter, you can find Jenny scraping ice and snow off the sidewalks all up and down the 400 block of Will Rogers. She runs her store without help seven days a week and has been doing so since she opened more than 11 years ago.

“It’s hard work, but it’s fun,” she said. “I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have something to do.”