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.

City of Claremore personnel will take turns in the dunk tank from 7-9 p.m. Five dollars gives a contestant three shots at the person in the tank. Mayor Bill Flanagan, Fire Chief Sean Douglas, Deputy City Manager Jeri Koehler and City Councilors Jeff Godwin and Justin Michael will each take a seat in the tank. A full schedule is available here.

Two hula hoop contests will give all ages a chance to show off their skills. The contests will begin at 7:15 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. in the 500 block near the band.

Food trucks include Alpha Grill Food Truck, ​BackWatters BBQ, The Bacon Food Truck, ​Breezie’s Pretzels, Curbside Comfort, ​C&J Concessions, For the Love of Fries, Jen’s Java, ​Kona Ice, La Hermosa Taco Truck, ​Maw & Paw Kettle Corn, MooChewSooey BBQ, Not Your Grandma’s Cupcakes, ​Pot Lickers, Ropin Flamingo Italian Ice, Taqueria El Jarocho and ​Tiger Bite.

The Kids Zone by Cedar Point Church is completely free to attendees, but parents are asked to watch their children while they enjoy the games and fun activities. There will be a bounce house, fishing for toddlers, free juice and popsicles, flamingo ring toss and temporary tattoos. But the biggest draw may be Moana!

“We have so much packed into just three blocks — and three hours — this month for Food Truck Thursday, it’s a don’t-miss event for sure,” said Jessica Jackson, director of Claremore Main Street. “We’re excited to have everyone out having a great time in downtown Claremore.”

Food Truck Thursday will run monthly on the final Thursday of the month. Upcoming dates are July 27, August 31, September 28 and October 26.

The monthly event is hosted by the Downtown Merchants Association 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.

Food vendors interested in participating anytime this season should e-mail Jeannie Smith at while nonfood vendors who would like to set up a booth should email Sheila Giannelli at .

Join the Facebook event!

Time to dust off those boots and bring ‘em downtown for the first Food Truck Thursday of the season with Boots on the Boulevard from 6-9 p.m. May 25.

Partnering with the Will Rogers Stampede PRCA Rodeo, the evening will feature two stages, late shopping, delicious food truck fare, pony rides, a free Kids Zone by Cedar Point Church and a heehawing good time.

The Stampede Rodeo Stage on Missouri Street will feature Back Road Story and Shinyribs and will host an “after party” that extends through 11 p.m.

The Main Street Stage on Will Rogers will have three hours of Zumba or other fitness activities by the Claremore Rec Center. It’s open for free to all fitness levels as guests can do as much or as little as they want.

“This season is promising to be even bigger and better than in the years past,” said Kathy Glover, president of the Merchant’s Group and owner of the Cozy Cottage, 514 W. Will Rogers Blvd. “We are grateful to partner with the Will Rogers Stampede Rodeo to bring Rogers County ‘Boots on the Boulevard’ as our kick off.”
​Food trucks include Dorothy’s Wiches, C&J Concessions, Kona Ice, Taqueria El Jarocho, MooChewSooey BBQ, Wild Al’s, BackWatters BBQ, La Hermosa, Jen’s Java, Curbside Comfort, Not Your Grandma’s Cupcakes, The Bacon Food Truck and Papos Latin/American Cafe and Rusty Nails Italian Ice.

The Kids Zone by Cedar Point Church is completely free to attendees, but parents are asked to watch their children while they enjoy the games and fun activities. There will be a bounce house, ‘gold’ mining and ‘calf’ roping in addition to the pony rides.

“Food Truck Thursday is such a fun event that brings the whole community together,” said Jessica Jackson, director of Claremore Main Street. “We have a great committee working on fun themes and booking the food trucks, entertainment and additional shopping options. It’s going to be a great year in downtown Claremore!”

Food Truck Thursday will run monthly on the final Thursday of the month. Upcoming dates are June 29, July 27, August 31, September 28 and October 26.

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.

Food vendors interested in participating anytime this season should e-mail Jeannie Smith at while nonfood vendors who would like to set up a booth should email Sheila Giannelli at .

Join the Facebook event for updates!

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Main Street Tavern was recognized as the first-place winner for Best Façade Rehabilitation Over $10,000 at the 28th annual Oklahoma Main Street Awards Banquet last week in Oklahoma City.

Further, Dr. Ray Brown, Claremore Main Street treasurer, was recognized as Board Member of the Year for the program.

Claremore Main Street’s Crowning Achievement was being listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Sixteen representatives from Claremore made the trip to Oklahoma City for the banquet. Melton Sales of Claremore provided a vehicle for many of the attendees to carpool together.

Thirty-four Main Street programs across the state submitted nominations that totaled more than 200 in separate categories to be considered for the awards.

Also recognized in the Top 3 from Claremore were Food Truck Thursday, Best Premier Event; Barron Law Firm, Best Façade Rehabilitation Under $10,000; and Main Street Tavern, Best Adaptive Reuse.
​
The Main Street Tavern (MST Claremore), 116 N. Missouri Ave., opened in downtown Claremore last fall and immediately became one of the local favorite restaurants.

Owner Jason Scarpa and business partner Mike Kennedy put nearly a half a million dollars into the façade rehabilitation and exterior alone. White Design Group was responsible for the architectural design services for the project.

“We are honored to even be nominated, let alone selected, for our rehabilitation of Main Street Tavern,” Scarpa said. “We love being a part of Claremore and look forward to the future of downtown.”

In addition to the façade work by Scarpa and crew, the City of Claremore replaced the parking lot and purchased street lights to illuminate the street after dark.

The revitalization fits with Claremore Main Street’s recent expansion a block north and south of Will Rogers Boulevard. Two other buildings on north Missouri have been nominated statewide for façade improvements.

Claremore Main Street is dedicated to its mission to enrich downtown Claremore by promoting a healthy downtown economy and advocating for revitalization and historic preservation. It is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that was established in 2002.

Mrs. Reavis and Mrs. Robinson’s 4th Grade class at Stuart Roosa Elementary School is the winner of the Union Pacific Flag Art Contest designed to promotion train history and safety here in Claremore. Fourth-grade classes all over town participated in the contest.

​Attendees at this year’s Sip, Savor & Shop: Taste of Claremore voted for their favorite flag. The winning class received $100, courtesy of Claremore Main Street and Claremore Area Chamber of Commerce, the contest’s hosts. The flag will be delivered to the contest’s sponsor, UP Railroad, to hang in their corporate office.

An honorable mention from each of Claremore’s three other elementary school’s received $50. Those classes were: Catalayah, Mrs. Crutchfield; Claremont, Mrs. Hindenberg; and Westside, Mrs. Massey. All the classes’ flags are hanging in downtown Claremore all during the month of May, Train Safety Month.

Brandon Morris, Public Affairs Director for Union Pacific Railroads, presents a check to Chamber President Dell Davis (left) and Main Street Director Jessica Jackson as the railroad’s contribution to Sip, Savor & Shop: Taste of Claremore and its flag art and safety project. Local fourth grade students design flags that depict Claremore’s train history and train safety, and the flags are voted on by attendees at Sip, Savor & Shop: Taste of Claremore on April 29. The winning class gets a donation from the event. The flags are displayed in downtown Claremore throughout the month of May.

Tickets are going fast for downtown Claremore’s flavorful spring event – Sip, Savor & Shop: Taste of Claremore.

The foodie favorite kicks off at 6 p.m. on April 29 and offers attendees an opportunity to sample from 26 restaurants and wineries set up inside various downtown Claremore stores for a three-hour, self-guided food experience.

Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 on the day-of, while children five years and younger who are eating off an adult’s plate are free. Tickets are limited and can be purchased at participating stores.

In addition to the food and shopping, the evening will feature sidewalk entertainment by Heartland Xpress, the Smith Brothers and Duane Nelson.

New this year, the event will also include a silent auction at the Main Street/Chamber office, 419 W. Will Rogers Blvd. Items range in value and include gifts from downtown stores, Oklahoma wines, Rustic Cuff bracelets and gift cards to local stores, restaurants and hotels.

“Sip, Savor & Shop: Taste of Claremore is a great way for us to highlight local restaurants, downtown stores and area musical talent,” said Jessica Jackson, Claremore Main Street Director. “It’s just a fun way to explore what our town has to offer for residents and guests alike!”

Participating eateries and wineries are: Arri’bin Hills Winery, Belvidere Tea Room, Blue Coyote Winery, Bluff Creamery, Boom-a-rang Diner, Buffalo Wild Wings, Carl’s Coney Island, Charlie’s Chicken, Diamondhead Winery, El Azteca, El Charro, Front Porch Bakery, Hammett House, Main Street Tavern, Oke Ozark Winery, Okie Annie’s, Papa John’s Pizza, Paradise Donuts, Rib Crib, Sam’s Club, She Brews Coffee House, Summerside Winery, Swan’s Brothers Dairy, The Pink House, Tidewater Winery and Walke Brothers Meats.

Participating stores are: 320 on Main, Bike-About Bicycles, Boarding House Books, Burlap Closet, Centsible Spending, Cozy Cottage, Cranberry Merchant, Crystal Pistol Boutique/Mom & Pop Ceramic Shoppe, District on Main, The Farmhaus, The Grapevine, The Haberdashery, LoliPop: A Sweet Boutique, Outwest Home Décor, Rejoice Christian Supply, Rhapsody Boutique, Sailor Antiques, Thrift Harbor, Twine & Thread, Vintique Charm and Boutique, Waterfront Frame and Willow Tree.

Signs directing attendees throughout the event will be placed along the streets on the night of the event.

Additionally, flag art depicting train safety, designed by fourth-graders in Claremore, will be on display. Visitors are encouraged to vote for their favorite flag at the Main Street/Chamber office during Sip, Savor & Shop. The flag art is made possible by Union Pacific Railroad.

“Be sure to vote for your favorite flag art created by fourth-grade students. Flags will fly in downtown Claremore through the month of May,” said Dell Davis, President and CEO of the Claremore Area Chamber of Commerce. “This art project is a great way to promote train safety and history as it relates to Claremore.”

Sip, Savor & Shop: Taste of Claremore is hosted by Claremore Main Street and the Claremore Area Chamber of Commerce, both of which are non-profit organizations in town. Proceeds of the event go to support the organization’s individual missions.

It is sponsored by UP Railroad, Values Magazine, City of Claremore, RCB Bank, Will Rogers Downs Cherokee Casino and moreClaremore.com.

For more information, tap here or call Claremore Main Street at 918-341-5881.

Claremore Main Street this month opened up applications for a Façade Grant Program hosted by the nonprofit organization to benefit downtown business and building owners.

The program, which matches the investment made on the exterior of downtown properties dollar-for-dollar, consists of three $1,000 matching grants for the fiscal year ending in June 30.

“These grants really help a building owner make the changes to their downtown property that enhances the overall look and increases the property value. We want encourage works that preserves the historic character of the building and maintains the overall vision of downtown,” said Jessica Jackson, Claremore Main Street executive director.

The organization hopes to extend the grant program in the next fiscal year, Jackson said.

“We are so thankful to be able to offer this grant to our building and business owners. We had been hoping to be able to provide Façade Grant Program this year, but we had to secure the funding,” she said. “We really hope to be able to extend it next year by working it into our budget.”
Eligible improvements include masonry work, window and door repair or replacement, some exterior painting and repair of some awnings, exterior lighting and signage and removal of non-historic materials.

Applications will be given priority if they prove high visual impact, historic or architectural integrity, lasting improvements and are on an active street front.

“The Main Street Board of Directors is pleased to offer this program, which will continue the enhancement of the historic district,” Main Street Treasurer Ray Brown said.

The initial application deadline is May 15. Deadlines will be at the end of every quarter as funds remain available. Projects must be completed within six months of the award notification.

Applicants must be in the current Claremore Main Street boundaries.

Claremore Main Street is dedicated to its mission to enrich downtown Claremore by promoting a healthy downtown economy and advocating for revitalization and historic preservation. It is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that was established in 2002.

For more information, call Jackson at 918-341-5881 or email us. Applications can be downloaded here.

Claremore’s bimonthly shopping ‘mob’ took over Sailor Antiques and Collectibles earlier this month for downtown’s Cash Mob and in turn will benefit graduating senior’s safety.

Every other month for Cash Mob, participants gather and then, as a group, “mob” a downtown store chosen at random, spending $20 in that store. Hundreds of dollars are pumped into the local economy in 45 minutes.

“As a business owner, it’s encouraging and it means a lot to be chosen and get the exposure from the community,” said Brenda Reno, owner of Sailor Antiques, 422 W. Will Rogers Blvd. “It gives shoppers an opportunity to come in and see what’s available downtown.”

To do even more for the community, 10 percent of the proceeds of the night go to a local nonprofit or cause voted on by the mobbers themselves. This month, mobbers chose to help Claremore High School students have a safe graduation.
The CHS Graduation Celebration is an 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. lock in for high school graduates the night of graduation, said one of the committee members Amber Highfill. The goal is to keep the students safe on a night that is traditionally a party night for high schoolers.

“It helps benefit the safety of the high school students,” Highfill said. “It’s an all-night lock in event.”

Each year, the committee raises thousands of dollars to provide a DJ, a hypnotist, inflatables, food and a prize for each graduate. The Celebration is now in its 18th year.

Before the mob began, attendees came to a VIP gathering at the Three Twenty on Main, 320 W. Will Rogers Blvd., and sampled wine from Arri’bin Hills Winery while enjoying hors d’oeuvres a tour of the new facility.

Cash Mob is every other month on the first Tuesday of the month. Pre-registration is necessary because the starting location changes each month. Register online here, and we will email the location out a week prior.

The next Cash Mob is scheduled for June 6 and is sponsored by Will Rogers Downs Casino. The selected store will be drawn at 5:30 p.m., but the VIP gathering will begin at 4:30 p.m.

With all the new developments in downtown Claremore in the last few years, it’s no wonder downtown Claremore businesses and events are receiving statewide recognition.

Claremore has the chance to bring home state awards in four categories after being announced as a Top 3 finalist by the Oklahoma Main Street Center last month.

Food Truck Thursday is a finalist in Premier Special Event Under 1,000 Attendees, while Barron Law Firm is in the Top 3 for Best Façade Rehabilitation Under $10,000. Main Street Tavern is up for two awards – Best Façade Rehabilitation Over $10,000 and Best Adaptive Reuse Project.

The winners will be announced at the 28th annual Main Street Awards Banquet on May 9 in Oklahoma City. Sixteen representatives from Claremore will attend the banquet.

Hundreds of nominations are submitted in all the categories across the state each year, and 19 communities are represented with a Top 3 project.

At the banquet, Claremore Main Street will also be recognized for its Crowning Achievement: Being named to the National Register of Historic Places. Further, Ray Brown will be honored at Claremore Main Street’s Board Member of the Year.

“We are honored to be recognized for some of the recent rehabilitation projects and for downtown’s newest event series. We have four good chances to bring home a first-place prize,” said Jessica Jackson, Claremore Main Street Director. “I love to see private reinvestment and countless volunteer hours rewarded with these honors.”

In 2016, Food Truck Thursday entered its second season in downtown Claremore. The seasonal, monthly event features live music, late shopping, food trucks, a kids zone and a special theme in the evening of the final Thursday of the month from May to October.

The series really came into its own in the second season and saw a significant increase in attendance, averaging about 800 guests per month.

The event continues to grow this year. It will kick off with Boots on the Boulevard at 6 p.m. May 25. It is cohosted by the Downtown Merchants Association and Claremore Main Street.

Brother and sister duo Robert Melton and Amy Gordon won Best Façade Rehabilitation Under $10,000 in 2016 for North Block Common at 115 N. Missouri Ave. Right next door, they are up for the same award this year for Barron Law Firm at 117 N. Missouri Ave.

The work included striping the gray paint over the bricks, replacing window on the front and installing a new door. The building was enhanced to become more inviting and showcase the historic features of the building.

The façade upgrade helps extend the historic look and feel of downtown Claremore on block north of the traditional main street of Will Rogers Boulevard.

Also earning recognition for visual impact is Main Street Tavern, just across the street at 116 N. Missouri Ave., as its up for Best Façade Rehabilitation Over $10,000 and Best Adaptive Reuse Project.

Previously serving as the Senior Citizens Center, MST Claremore owner Jason Scarpa and business partner Mike Kennedy transformed the outdated city building into a beautiful restaurant that fills a much-needed void in downtown Claremore. Chris White served as the architectural designer.

Nearly a half million dollars went into the façade and exterior updates — including a new roof, brick covering removal, new windows and doors and a patio – while significantly more was spent on the entire rehabilitation project to gut the building and create an elegant kitchen, bar and dining space.

Since opening in September, MST Claremore has become one of the hot spots in town as a fine dining eatery and bar. Downtown now has a place to gather and watch sports or enjoy dinner on a patio, something lacking prior to the Tavern’s opening.

Claremore’s favorite foodie event – Sip, Savor & Shop: Taste of Claremore – returns downtown on April 29 for a night full of tasting, shopping and strolling.

The three-hour, self-guided food experience begins at 6 p.m. and spans the three blocks of downtown along Will Rogers Boulevard.

Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 on the day-of while children five years and younger who are eating off an adult’s plate are free. Tickets will go on sale in the participating downtown stores in early April.

In addition to the food and shopping, the evening will feature a variety of sidewalk entertainment by talented local musicians.

New this year, the event will also include a silent auction – offering attendees another opportunity to go home with goodies. The auction will be held in the Main Street/Chamber office, 419 W. Will Rogers Blvd.
“We’re excited to add the silent auction to our already great event,” said Dell Davis, Claremore Chamber of Commerce President and CEO. “It’s just a little touch that makes Taste of Claremore even more special without taking away from the point of the event – tasting and shopping!”

In 2016, more than 20 local restaurants and wineries set up inside various downtown stores and businesses, showcasing samples to the hundreds of people sipping, savoring and shopping.

“We have great support from local restaurants around the community as well as from our downtown businesses that host,” said Jessica Jackson, Main Street director. “It’s one of our favorite events each year.”

Additionally, guests will get to vote on their favorite flag featuring train safety created by fourth-graders in Claremore. The flag art is made possible by Union Pacific Railroad.

“The flag art gives local elementary school students an opportunity to learn about Claremore history and train safety,” Davis said.

Sip, Savor & Shop: Taste of Claremore is hosted by Claremore Main Street and the Claremore Area Chamber of Commerce, both of which are non-profit organizations in town. Proceeds of the event go to support the organization’s individual missions.

For more information, including a list of restaurants, musicians and participating stores as the event draws closer, tap here or call Claremore Main Street at 918-341-5881.