Welcome Shiloh Johnson to the Main Street Team!

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Executive Assistant, Shiloh Johnson

We are excited to announce a new addition to our Claremore Main Street team!

Shiloh Johnson began as the Executive Assistant on November 2nd, 2020. Shiloh holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration/Accounting degree from Rogers State University. Shiloh began her career with Claremore Main Street in 2016 as a volunteer. RSU and Main Street helped her fall in love with the Claremore Community. She is happy to better serve the community in this official capacity.

 

Dickens on the Boulevard returns for its 25th Anniversary

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CLAREMORE – 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 25th 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 November 20th and 21st. Donning historic attire, the streets of downtown are flooded with shoppers enjoying the crisp winter air, holiday music and historic re-enactors.

“This event has always been a favorite, and to be able to celebrate its 25th anniversary makes this year’s event extra special for us” said Jacob Garrison, Claremore Main Street Executive Director. “We are excited to kick off the Christmas season in Downtown Claremore.”

To mark this special anniversary, an exciting new addition will be unveiled on Friday night. Thanks to the generosity of Grand River Damn Authority, along with the partnership with The City of Claremore Power & Light department, Claremore Main Street will be unveiling new, all-season lights that will light up the rooflines of the buildings along Main Street. These lights will be lit up year-round, adding to the beauty of Historic Downtown Claremore.

“We are so excited to see our new lights turned on during the first night of Dickens.” Garrison said. “GRDA, and the City of Claremore, are great partners of our organization. Their generous contribution to this project will be enjoyed for many years to come. I could not think of a better way to show off our new addition than at this year’s 25th Dickens on the Boulevard.”

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. Take a carriage ride through our downtown and stop for a drink of sarsaparilla at our saloon, – Wantland Public House — and a chance to play cards with the Territorial Marshals gives guests even more of that Victorian spirit.

Gearing up for Christmas, Santa Claus himself will be on site at 320 on Main for photos for $5, and just across the street will be a living nativity by Shepherd’s Cross.

A free Kids Zone will be available both nights, sponsored by Cedar Point Church.

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.

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.

The Schedule
At 6:15 p.m. both nights, the stage entertainment will kick off with live music from Jerry Pringle.

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 Bike About Bicycles between 5:30-8:00p.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.

Special Tours

The Tales from the Top will be back this year as well. 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 lasts about an hour. Tickets are $12 and are limited. They can be purchased beginning on November 2nd 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 November 2nd. The tour will be at 1 p.m. November 21st.

Dickens on the Boulevard is hosted by Claremore Main Street and sponsored by RCB Bank. The event is also presented by the Grand River Damn Authority, and the City of Claremore Power & Light.

For more information, visit downtownclaremore.org or call 918-341-5881.

 

Something out of nothing: Main Street project makes use of forgotten space

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BY CYDNEY BARON

August 2nd, 2020
An otherwise drab and wasted space is being transformed to a Main Street focal point.

Before sunrise Friday, Main Street Executive Director Jacob Garrison, and son, could be seen with heavy machinery clearing out a forgotten corner of main street.

“This project is making something out of nothing,” Garrison said. “This is a multi-part project. We started mid-March, me and the parks department. We spent a full day clearing out brush and trees. It was insanely overgrown so we cleared all of that away.”

Friday, Garrison told the Progress: “Today we’re removing last of it, coming in with the rocks and landscaping. The initial plan would have included plants and shrubberies but since it got pushed back to the middle of summer we thought that wasn’t the best time to plant, so we will add greens and plants in the fall.”

About a week ago city crews came out to do large cut outs on the corner. Now Garrison and crew are adding dirt, rocks and other landscaping elements.

“We’ll set up and concrete a large “‘older’ that will be engraved—those details to be announced later,” he said.

A new bench will be installed between the rock and the landscaping elements.

But the piece Garrison is most excited about is an 8-foot tall by 6-foot wide downtown map kiosk.

“We’re working with Claremore Sign to erect this,” he said. “The kiosk is going to be great. It’s going to be for downtown Claremore. From the colors to the font we wanted it to feel historic, elegant and classy. We’re going to have the downtown map displayed across the front of it so anyone shopping can find names and addresses.”

He said the project may be a simple one but it adds a lot to downtown.

“This project is making something out of nothing. This corner offers parking but not much else. When I started talking about it, I’d mention it to people couldn’t even visualize where I was talking about. It was a very forgotten corner,” he said. “The bench was so grown with trees and bushes you could barely tell it was there. We took a forgettable corner and made it a great book end to main street. It will be vibrant and eye-catching.”

He said the kiosk and the corner in general will help unify things like the Farmer’s Market, Belvidere, Claremore Museum of History and downtown merchants.

Championship belt on the line at Main Street Corporate Olympics

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BY CYDNEY BARON

Ever wanted to stand triumphantly holding a heavyweight championship belt above your head for all to see?

Claremore Main Street’s newest event may make that dream a reality.

“This is an idea I had brought to our promotions committee back in January. We are really excited to bring this to Claremore. We think it will be a fun city-wide event that we can have some fun, competitive games that bring people together,” said Claremore Main Street Executive Director Jacob Garrison.

He said the arrival of COVID-19 changed their plans slightly but that there’s still plenty of fun to be had .

“We have decided that during our August Food Truck event we will be having our first Claremore Main Street Corporate Olympics event,” he said. “We will have four events: three-on-three basketball, a football target competition, Angry Ax and cornhole.”

He said he’s excited to bring these events to Claremore, and excited to see the event grow year after year.

“The response has been exactly what I hoped it would be. They have immediately started trash talking, all in good fun, saying they’re going to take the title. They’re really exited about the event,” he said. “I wanted to make it as different and exciting as possible. So, when we started talking about prizes I said instead of doing traditional trophies, let’s do something different. We had a leather, custom heavyweight belt made. It has the event logo on the front but it has sideplates that we can customize. So when a business wins and is displaying the belt, it will have their business logo on the side plates.”

While many businesses have already signed up teams, Garrison said they have a limited number of spaces still available.

In this first year he said they’re trying to keep the size of the event manageable for the sake of organization and in respect to COVID.

Any business in city limits that is interested in participating should email 

Main Street announces 2020-2021 Board Officers

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We would like to announce our Claremore Main Street Board Officers for the upcoming 2020-2021 year. (Left to Right)

Bob Waters (C.P.A. – Seifried Group) Treasurer
Kara Lenard (Program Manager – CIEDA) Secretary
Andrew Hocutt (General Manager – Main Street Tavern) President
Kyle Clifton (Director of Urban Design and Long Range Planning – City of Claremore) Vice President

The rest of our board for the upcoming year:

Lou Flanagan (Past President)
Ronda Cole (Back in the Day Antiques)
Kathy Glover (The Cozy Cottage)
Sara Lepak (QuikTrip)
Sara Moss (RCB Bank)
Zach Oliver (Coldwell Banker)
Travis Peck (Rogers State University)
Jimye Sharp (Claremore Christian Schools)
Tim Wantland (Wantland Law Firm)

Thank you to all of our board members for all you do for Claremore Main Street!

Q and A with Main Street’s new Yoga and Fitness Studio, The Studio by ETHOS Yoga

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Rogers State University graduate Sara Wallace recently opened her new yoga and fitness studio in Downtown Claremore. They are located above The District on Main.

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself, and your family:

A: I am a believer, wife to Justin, boy-mom, RSU Alumni, and Young Living Crown Diamond. Justin & I met in Claremore, got married in Claremore, love calling Claremore home and thoroughly enjoy raising our son here.

In 2018 I  completed my Power Vinyasa 200hr Yoga Teacher Training and immediately began teaching vinyasa-based yoga classes in downtown Claremore, hoping one day to open a studio of my own.  When it comes to fitness, Yoga has always been there for me. Yoga taught me how to breathe. Yoga was the first exercise I could do after a pelvic injury. Prenatal Yoga relaxed muscles I didn’t even know were tight during my pregnancy. Hot Yoga has given me more strength, flexibility, and endurance than I’ve ever had in my life. Many days, my practice on the mat saves my sanity, and probably my liver.

As a mother and a woman in business, I am highly driven by encouraging women to know and live their purpose, in wellness and abundance.

Q: What is Studio by ETHOS Yoga?

A: The Studio by ETHOS Yoga, LLC is a Yoga & Fitness Studio offering upscale fitness with a small town vibe.

Q: Tell us a little bit about the response to your new business since it has been announced.

A: The response to our studio space opening has been so amazing! Because the space had been a Barre & Yoga studio before, former students who built their practices within those studio walls feel encouraged now to be able to practice in that space again. With the momentum of opening a new business, new faces as well as familiar instructors, everyone is just really excited to be able to get out and practice together in community.

Q: What about downtown Claremore made you want to open your business here?

A: As a graduate of RSU and a business owner for many years, I have always loved the vibe and development of downtown Claremore. We have such a gift in this unique town! I am thrilled to be a part of growing the community and opportunities on our beautiful Mainstreet; contributing to the kind of city our kids love growing up in, so they’ll love raising their families here, too.

Q: What else would you like for the community to know about Studio by ETHOS Yoga?

A: The ethos of a community is characterized by their spirit and values. Our values at The Studio are based in truth and love, with a spirit of tenacity and excellence. Our doors are open to hold space for you, without judgement, so you can find and strengthen truth inside of you.

Our website is www.myethosyoga.com and you can book your spot for classes via the MINDBODY app or at https://mindbody.io/locations/ethos-yoga

Like us on FB: www.facebook.com/ethosclaremore

Follow us on Instagram: @ethosclaremore

City pledges continued support of Main Street program

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BY CYDNEY BARON

Jun 4, 2020

Claremore Main Street Executive Director, Jacob Garrison

Every year the city is asked to decide whether or not they want to continue their support of the Claremore Main Street program.

Once again, city leaders voted yes unanimously.

“[Claremore Main Street Director Jacob Garrison] and I talked last week, this is our annual contribution to support the Main Street operation. Jacob is coming up on one year…I think he’s done an outstanding job,” said City Manager Jim Thomas. “We continue to support them with their mission and goals. I have budgeted this amount for the new fiscal year.”

With that, the city approved their annual contribution of $35,000.

“We greatly appreciate the support….We’ve had a lot of great things happen so far, a lot of great businesses and enhancements. We appreciate you again voting to support us and we always want to be very diligent with the dollars the city gives us and we will continue to do that,” said Garrison.

Save the date

Claremore Main Street has announced the return of Food Truck Thursday.

The first event is scheduled for Thursday, June 25 beginning at 6 p.m.

Main Street Claremore walking tour now available on your phone

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BY KAYLEIGH J.T. HARRISON

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.

Downtown Claremore Unveils New Mural

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By: More Claremore
May 27, 2020

We locals have watched for months as the new Spectrum Paint flagship store got a new look, recreating the vibe of the building in its heyday. The neon sign on the corner of the building, located at 500 W. Will Rogers, was the icing on the cake. And now, the building has a cherry on top, in the form of an interactive street mural by artist Kelsey Montague.

Kelsey lives in Colorado; she attended Colorado University in Boulder, before studying abroad for two years. She studied art in Florence, and graduated from Richmond University in London with a degree in Art, Design & Media before moving to New York City.

For the past six years, she’s been creating street murals. Her sister Courtney (who also studied abroad) is the Operations Director for Kelsey Montague Art. As the girls put it, they basically live out of a suitcase. With Kelsey’s murals on six different continents, many countries, and a slew of U.S. states, that’s an easy statement to believe.

Spectrum Paint, the largest independently-owned paint dealer in the country, approached Kelsey about providing the perfect finishing touch for their new store. Kelsey worked with Spectrum’s owners, John Detter, Travis Detter, and Roddy Russo, as well as Gentry Detter Stafford, Vice President of Marketing, to come up with the design.

Pictured: Kelsey Montague, Courtney Montague, Claire Detter Hawkins, and Gentry Detter Stafford

Kelsey is excited about what the tree represents. “It’s an organic family tree, growing and expanding just like the town is,” said Kelsey. Upon closer inspection, visitors to the mural can find hidden objects in the trunk of the tree, including a zebra, Will Rogers’ hat and rope, a paint can, and a fox, both of which have meaning to the Detter family. Sitting atop the tree is an eagle, which also has lucky connotations for the Detters.

Kelsey said, “I love to create interactive art, where people can step in and become part of the art. I always have an idea on how people will pose with it, and then they come up with so many other creative ideas! People take ownership of the art, and I love that. It really becomes something special to the community.”

This is Kelsey’s second art commission since the beginning of the pandemic, which is unusual since she’s usually in two to three cities per week. It’s also her first trip to Oklahoma, and Claremore is honored to have the first piece gracing the downtown district.

Thank you to Spectrum Paint and Kelsey Montague for making this happen!

A Sign Of Respect

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BY CYDNEY BARON

Nineteen banners are flying proudly along Claremore Main Street in honor of local veterans.

Main Street Executive Director Jacob Garrison said he presented the idea to the community in February, offering people the opportunity to purchase a banner to honor their loved ones. The banners would be mounted on the 19 light poles that line Claremore Main Street.

“We had kind of a general template but we were able to customize it any way they wanted with the military branch, their rank, the years they served. Additionally there were a few people that requested things like purple hearts, killed in action, where they served, things like that,” Garrison said. “We wanted to make it customizable because we know how important it is for those who want to recognize a loved one.”

The vibrant banners were met with enthusiasm and support in the community and make an impact to passers-by, but Garrison took it one step further.

“I asked all the people that purchased a banner to send me a little write-up about their loved one. Once all the banners are up we will post photos of the banners and share the story from the family so we can individually honor each person that has a banner in their honor,” he said.

Garrison described the experience as humbling— “What we’ve done is so, so insignificant compared to what these people have done for our country. People are telling us thank you but really we’re the ones that are beyond grateful.”

He said the banners will remain on display through the July 4 season.

“When they’re taken down they will be given to the family as a keepsake,” he said, adding that he’s grateful to be able to share these stories.

He said when the project was announced, the community jumped on board and scooped up all 19 locations very quickly.

“We were overwhelmed with the reception,” he said. “Judging from the response we immediately knew this is something the community wanted to see and we want to do it again next year and keep sharing stories year after year.”