Thursday nights will come alive in downtown Claremore again this year as the downtown district brings back the popular monthly food truck events.
Rebranded this year as Food Truck Thursday, the family-friendly street party features late shopping, delicious food trucks, top-notch music entertainment and activities along the street for patrons to enjoy.
“We are excited to bring back Food Truck Thursday this year. It’s a great opportunity to shop late while getting yummy food,” said Carol Thibodeau, chairman of the committee in charge of the event.
Food Truck Thursdays will be from 6-9 p.m. on the final Thursday of the month from May through October in downtown Claremore.
The only exception is June when the event was moved to the fourth Thursday to coincide with when the statewide bike ride, Oklahoma Freewheel, will be spending the night in Claremore.
Residents should mark their calendars for this season’s events on May 26, June 23, July 28, Aug. 25, Sept. 29 and Oct. 27.
The monthly event is hosted by the Downtown Claremore Merchants Group and Claremore Main Street.
“The monthly street parties give Rogers County residents a chance to gather, shop, eat and listen to great music. We have activities that are fun for all ages,” said Jessica Jackson, Claremore Main Street director. “It’s essentially a city-wide block party in the heart of Claremore.”
Visitors will find most of the stores open late, many with great deals for one night only. Food trucks will line Will Rogers Boulevard, which will be blocked off from Lynn Riggs Boulevard to Muskogee Avenue.
Live music from local and area musicians will entertain crowds and a kids zone will be chalk full of family-friendly activities. Further, non-food vendors will give attendees an even wider variety of browsing options.
“Our customers asked for us to bring back these nights. We plan to continue to grow it and make it even better this year, with different activities available at each event,” said Thibodeau, who also owns Rhapsody Boutique & Spa, 108 S. Cherokee Ave.
At most of this year’s events, local authors will have book signings at Boarding House Books, 300 W. Will Rogers Blvd.
Each month will feature a different theme to which activities will be focused.
Downtown Hoedown
Kicking off both the Food Truck Thursday season and the Will Rogers Stampede Rodeo will be the Downtown Hoedown on May 26.
“The Will Rogers Stampede Rodeo, now in its 75th year, is an event truly a great resource in our community,” Jackson said. “We want participants and guests at the rodeo to get a true Claremore experience, and that’s showcased in our downtown events like Food Truck Thursday.”
DocFell & Co. will be the featured band throughout the evening and a dance floor will give two-steppers a place to bust a move. The night will kick off with the singing of the National Anthem.
Eleven 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, Cake Smash, 2 Chefs on Wheels, Creole Catering, Taqueria El Jarocho, Kona Ice, Papos Latin/American Café, Dog House and Maw & Paw Kettle Corn.
Being a rodeo theme, visitors can enjoy free mechanical bull riding during the event. Other activities and vendors will be along the street to greet guests in attendance.
The Tri-State Gunfighters will perform throughout the evening on the streets in downtown Claremore.
Boarding House Books will host several area authors for book signings. One of the author’s, Doris Coke Myers, the niece of Will Rogers himself, will be there with her book, I Just Called Him Uncle Will.
RCB Bank’s booth will give guests an opportunity to meet and get an autograph with their favorite Miss Rodeo Oklahoma Teen and Princess.
Many of the downtown stores, which will stay open until 9 p.m., will feature discounts and giveaways throughout the evening.
For more information or to sign up as a vendor, please call Jessica Jackson at 918-341-5881 or Carol Thibodeau at 918-923-7157.