Come spend a blissful morning in Historic Downtown Claremore. Start with the Rogers
County Farmers Market in the parking lot of Rogers County Courthouse they are open from 7am
to 11am. There will be a few food trucks as you move north. Many downtown businesses are
opening at 8 am with Sidewalk Sales, In-store Specials, Sidewalk Arts & Activities and
Refreshments. Something for everyone including free pet vaccinations and pet supplies for pet
owners affected by the tornadoes.
Now accepting Resumes for an Executive Director. We are looking for someone to help usher in “New Vibes” at Claremore Main Street.
Resume and Cover Letters are being accepted until Tuesday, 6/18/24 at 11:59pm.
If you would like to apply, follow the link below. The application question “Why do you want to be a Board Member” will be shared with the partnership before they vote. Applications will be accepted until the close of business on Friday, May 24, 2024.
It’s time to dust those boots off!! We only have two weeks until Boots On The Boulevard! May 23rd 6-9 PM
#bootsontheblvd #claremore #lilacdistrict
Main Street Claremore and the Will Rogers Memorial Museum have partnered to produce a Main Street Claremore Walking Tour that people can take with just their phones.
On your phone’s web browser visit www.willrogers.com and select the “Enhanced Tours” Button.
Tours are available for the Memorial Museum, Birthplace Ranch, the states and countries Will Rogers visited, and now, the Claremore Main Street Walking Tour.
The tour currently offers information on the Belvidere Mansion, the Claremore Museum of History, the Claremore Daily Progress, the Twin Oaks Motel, the Northblock Commons Mural and the Will Rogers Hotel.
Each includes some text a short audio clip to introduce tourists and home-owners to new information about downtown Claremore’s iconic landmarks.
Tad Jones, executive director of the Will Rogers Memorial Museums, said, “It’s something we can expand, grow, and eventually put video on there.”
“We hope we can use that system to encourage people to go and look around Claremore,” Jones said.
Shopping local has never been easier this holiday season as shoppers can travel throughout Claremore on a free Holiday Trolley on Saturdays in December.
Claremore’s Holiday Trolley was announced by West Bend Winterland as a way to encourage both shopping local and attending the activities at Winterland.
“We are thrilled to have the Holiday Trolley this year,” said Jessica Jackson, director of Claremore Main Street. “It will just make the whole Christmas experience better in Claremore – where you can shop, dine and enjoy Winterland seamlessly and without the hassle of a car.”
The Trolley will leave from the grounds of the Claremore Expo Center and make continuous loops to several trolley stops, including Ne-Mar Shopping Center and two stops in downtown Claremore – one on Missouri and the other in the Claremore Daily Progress Parking Lot. All trolley stops will have signage to make it easier to spot for pick-ups and drop-offs.
The Trolley will run from noon until 8 p.m. on Dec. 1, Dec. 8, Dec. 15 and Dec. 21. The complimentary service is made possible by West Bend Winterland, Claremore Main Street, the Claremore Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Claremore Merchant Association.
“Shoppers can ride as often as they like, or make several trips back to their vehicle at the Expo Center in case they need to drop off bags,” said Tanya Andrews, director of the Claremore Expo Center. “This is a great way to promote Shop Claremore, Shop Local and encourage residents and visitors to spend money in town. It’s a great service provided by our partners.”
Many of the merchants in historic downtown will remain open until 7 p.m. or later, and folks can always grab a great meal or libations while they are out and about.
“The merchants are excited to participate in West Bend Winterland and are glad to partner in the Holiday Trolley, which will provide shoppers a convenience we have not had in Claremore before,” said Sheila Giannelli, president of the Downtown Claremore Merchant Association.
A full schedule of the Holiday Trolley and West Bend Winterland can be found online here or by calling 918-342-5357.
Downtown Claremore’s second annual Shopper Breakfast will kick off the national Small Business Saturday for Claremore this Saturday, Nov. 24.
Small Business Saturday is the chance for holiday shoppers to make a big impact by shopping at small, locally-owned stores. Falling the day after Black Friday, it fits into the busiest shopping weekend of the year.
“Shopping locally and at small businesses makes such a big impact on our local economy and serves our local families,” said Jessica Jackson, director of Claremore Main Street. “That’s why we’re eager to host a Small Business Saturday breakfast with She Brews again this year.”
For the second year in a row, Claremore Main Street has teamed up with American Express to host Small Business Saturday events and shopping deals in downtown Claremore.
The day will start with the free Shopper Breakfast at She Brews Coffee House’s downtown location, 414 W. Will Rogers Blvd., at 9 a.m. The first 200 guests will receive a free canvas bag with store coupons and deals for the day.
She Brews will be serving coffee and breakfast goodies for free to shoppers, and many stores are opening the doors early for customers to get started right away.
Santa Claus will even be in town! He will be in North Block Common, 115 N. Missouri Ave., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for free photos, courtesy of Grant Gingerich State Farm and MoreClaremore.
While out and about, shoppers are encouraged to use the hashtags #SmallBizSat and #ShopSmall to join the nationwide conversation.
Small Business Saturday was created by American Express in 2010. It was created to be a day between Black Friday and Cyber Monday to promote small, locally-owned businesses.
Claremore Main Street is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to its mission to enrich downtown Claremore by promoting a healthy downtown economy and advocating for revitalization and historic preservation.
For more information, follow the Small Business Saturday event page on Facebook.
The air is getting cooler and soon Santas, snowmen and holly will be popping up everywhere. The onset of the holiday season in Claremore brings a historic flair as Dickens on the Boulevard hits the streets of downtown Claremore for the 22nd year.
The Victorian-themed Christmas festival in the heart of downtown has been the unofficial kickoff to the holiday season for decades and comes back to Claremore on Nov. 16 and 17. Donning historic attire, the streets of downtown are flooded with shoppers enjoying the crisp winter air, holiday music and historic re-enactors.
“This event is a Claremore favorite because there is so much to do, see and experience during Dickens on the Boulevard,” said Jessica Jackson, Claremore Main Street director. “It brings history alive while launching guests into the Christmas season.”
Visitors will be greeted by actors in a “living window,” street urchins and even a chuckwagon feast to fill the three blocks of the historic downtown. A carriage ride to the Belvidere Mansion and back, a saloon – Wantland Public House — with sarsaparilla, and a chance to play cards with the Territorial Marshals give guests even more of that Victorian spirit.
Gearing up for Christmas, Santa Claus himself will be on site in the Cranberry Merchant, 417 W. Will Rogers Blvd., for photos for $5, and just down the street will be a living nativity by Shepherd’s Cross.
A free Kids Zone will be available both nights. Cedar Point Church is sponsoring Friday’s Kids Zone while Trinity Baptist Church is sponsoring Saturday’s Kids Zone.
Saturday only, Dickens on the Boulevard will feature a Dickens of a Cook-off Chili Cooking Contest. Participating businesses, nonprofits and individuals will begin in the afternoon and cook through 6 p.m., at which time public tasting will open. A limited number of tasting kits will be sold starting at 5:30 p.m. for $5 while supplies last.
Cook-off participants can register through an application online here or in person at the Main Street office, 419 W. Will Rogers Blvd. Space is limited and available for a $35 registration fee. Awards will be given out for People’s Choice, Judge’s Choice, Booth Decoration and Ham-manship.
“People always mention they want more food options, and what goes better with a Victorian-themed Christmas festival than delicious chili?” Jackson said. “We hope the cook-off brings more people downtown during the day and then feeds them at night.”
Stores stay open during the event. Shoppers can qualify for the Dickens Dollars drawing by visiting each of the participating stores and asking for their complimentary ticket. Additional tickets may be available with purchases.
Dickens Dollars are gift certificates that spend like cash at participating stores. There are multiple drawings each night. Winners receive Dickens Dollars, which are good to spend through Christmas Eve.
At 6:15 p.m. both nights, the stage entertainment will kick off with Christian Homeschool Acting Troupe’s “It’s a Wonderful Christmas Grinch,” an original mash-up of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and “A Christmas Story.”
Following the play will be Westside Elementary School Choir on Friday and Timothy O’Brian’s Celtic Cheer on Saturday. Around 7:10 p.m., First United Methodist Choir will take the stage on Friday and Bethel Holiness Choir will perform Saturday.
Follow the stage entertainment, the annual shootout will take place at 7:45 p.m. by the Territorial Marshals.
Each year, the event features a Victorian costume contest with categories for different ages and genders as well as for the best dressed couple. Those interested in entering can visit Thrift Harbor, 316 W. Will Rogers Blvd., between 5:30-8 p.m. each night to check in with the judges.
Following the costume awards presentation is the festival’s nightcap – the Victorian Stroll and Street Dance. The stroll is the perfect opportunity for young and old to get together on the street and enjoy the old-fashioned entertainment. A caller will explain each dance, so community members of any experience level can take part.
“The stroll and street dance is my favorite part of the evening,” Jackson said. “The whole community comes together to dance and enjoy downtown. The togetherness and sense of belonging is so strong; it’s just the perfect way to end the night!”
The Tales from the Top tours will be all new this year. It is a ticketed tour that takes guests through the upper floors of five downtown Claremore buildings. A short play will take place in each one, and guests may have an opportunity to poke around the 100-year-old buildings.
The tour begins at 6 p.m. and last about an hour. Tickets are $12 and are limited. They can be purchased beginning on Nov. 1 at the Claremore Main Street office, 419 W. Will Rogers Blvd.
For historic buffs, Claremore Main Street also offers a daytime Historic Walk through downtown on Saturday afternoon. The approximately three-quarter mile walk takes guests from the Will Rogers Hotel to the Belvidere Mansion while relaying aspects of Claremore’s history and telling stories that most Claremore residents don’t know.
Tickets for the Historic Walk are $8, are limited and will be on sale at the Main Street office Nov. 1. The tour will be at 1 p.m. Nov. 17 and end at the Andy Payne Sculpture Dedication Ceremony at Gazebo Park. The dedication ceremony begins at 2 p.m.
The Claremore Museum of History is hosting the sculpture dedication and opening a new Andy Payne exhibit that day. Andy Payne is known for winning the International Trans-Continental Footrace in 1928.
Dickens on the Boulevard is hosted by Claremore Main Street. Wantland Law Firm is the saloon sponsor. Supporting sponsors are American StaffCorp, Leading Edge Landscape Creations and RCB Bank.
For more information, visit us on the web or call 918-341-5881.
Photo by DroneWorks
Downtown Claremore is a little brighter and bolder, thanks to a larger-than-life mural on the North Block Common, 115 N. Missouri Ave.
The mural is part of Claremore Main Street’s Alley Activation 2025 project. Public surveys earlier this year resulted in the No. 1 takeaway being that Claremore residents wanted more public art.
Alley Activation 2025 was born from a Claremore Main Street committee and with the support from the City of Claremore, partnerships with Spectrum Paint and The Hammer Studio, the first piece of alley revitalization and our first public art piece in four years, has been possible.
We were proud to have enlisted the artistic ability of Claremore’s own John Hammer, of Hammer Studio to be the artist.
The Mural is centered around Claremore Astronaut Stuart Roosa, Claremore’s favorite son Will Rogers, and of course a large Route 66 road sign.
On Oct. 2, a community party in the alley will take place from 5-7 p.m. where the artist will sign his artwork, officially completing the 2,700-square-foot piece. There will be food, beverages, live music and a fun atmosphere!
