30th Annual Christmas Home Tour

The Junior Ocieleta Club celebrates three decades of its Claremore holiday event.

The Junior Ocieleta Christmas Home Tour is a community tradition showcasing some of the fantastic homes in Claremore and the surrounding area. This tradition started in 1983, marking the 2013 home tour as the club’s 30th annual tour. This year’s tour will take place on December 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and will feature four beautiful residential homes decorated for the Christmas holiday. The event continues to grow in popularity, and each year hundreds of people tour the homes and enjoy gathering their own holiday decorating ideas. Additionally, the club will feature a commemorative cookbook featuring family recipes from its members for sale at each tour stop.

    “We have a great group of ladies organizing this year’s event,” said Emily Becker, Home Tour co-director. “I really do believe this may be one of the best tours yet, and I am excited that worked out in conjunction with our 30th anniversary.”

    Junior Ocieleta is comprised of young women who work together to raise funds for different charity needs. Through the annual Christmas Home Tour the group has been able to assist many charity organizations. This community tradition is the club’s main fundraiser, and proceeds are used to provide scholarships to local students as well as support numerous non-profit groups and projects in the community.  

    “One hundred percent of the proceeds from the tour go back into the community,” said Ashly Snyder, Home Tour co-director. “Some of the organizations we sponsor include Safenet, The Manger, United Way, Rogers County Youth Shelter, Rogers County School Foundations, Bit-by-Bit, CASA and Big Brothers Big Sisters. We also provide scholarships each year to Rogers County high school seniors and have an Ocie Mayberry Scholarship Endowment for students at Rogers State University.”

    The stops on this year’s tour include the homes of John and Jan Belcher at 10099 Ratliff Dr., Shana Myers at 25185 S. 4109 Rd., Danny and Melinda Steelmon at 14646 E. 520 Rd., and Craig and Jessica Wilbourn at 14823 E. Fieldstone Dr. N.      

    “Each of the homes will be decorated for the holidays according to the personalities of each individual family and are sure to inspire the Christmas spirit in tour attendees,” said Becker. “We will also have Junior Ocieleta members present at each home to welcome all who attend and answer any questions. Individuals, families, groups and even bus tours are invited to attend, though we do ask large groups and bus tours to call in advance for accommodations.”

    In addition to the four wonderful homes on the tour, Junior Ocieleta will also be bringing back their craft fair. The new and improved event, coined the Stop, Shop & Snack, will include numerous crafters and vendors with booths featuring items such as Christmas decorations, gifts, crafts, jewelry, baked goods, home accessories, clothing, repurposed furniture and much more. The Stop, Shop & Snack will be held at The Hidden Porch located at 4883 E. Hwy 266 in Catoosa. Lunch will also be available at the Pecan Porch next door. Attendees are encouraged to come out and enjoy delicious food, beautiful views and unique Christmas shopping.  

    “The location of the Stop, Shop & Snack truly is a hidden gem in our community, and we are so excited to partner with the Hidden Porch to offer the event,” said Snyder. “We are confident our regular attendees will be very happy to have this replacement for the usual craft fair back as part of the event.”

    To date, this year’s Home Tour Sponsors include Bob’s Printing, Claremore Eye Associates, Crumpton, Rex & Sherry, Elizabeth Jean Salon, Guy Engineering, Hidden Porch, Community Home Health, Hillary’s Boutique, M&M Enterprises LLC, Melton Sales, Nesting Necessities, RCB Bank, Rogers State University, Sanders Concrete Construction and Women’s Healthcare of Rogers County.

    Tickets for the home tour are $10 per person and are available at several local locations, including the Claremore Chamber, RCB Bank, Nesting Necessities, Elizabeth Jean Salon, Hillary’s Boutique, J&J Pharmacy, Pecan Porch, the Belvidere Mansion, Floral Creations, Hoovers, Nut House, Pink House, Uniquely Susie’s or from any Junior Ocieleta member. 

For more information, contact

Junior Ocieleta Club of Claremore

(918) 409-4469

www.joclaremore.org