Lilac District

Area Set for a Transformative Year in Downtown Claremore

Claremore’s historic downtown is gearing up for a transformation, and Steve Robinson, Executive Director of Claremore Main Street and Chairman of the Board for the Claremore Museum of History, couldn’t be more excited. With a mix of aesthetic improvements and cultural celebrations, the Lilac District is preparing to take center stage in the downtown revitalization efforts.

One of the most anticipated events this year is the inaugural Lilac Festival in June. “This event celebrates Cherokee culture with all kinds of events and activities,” Robinson shared. “It’s happening on a food truck Thursday in June, and it’s also a preview of some things happening on Main Street as far as the facade.”

The festival pays homage to Lynn Riggs, a Cherokee citizen and playwright best known for his play, “Green Grow the Lilacs,” the story that later inspired Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! By tying the festival to this legacy, Robinson hopes to create a deeper connection between Claremore’s cultural history and its contemporary development.

Lilac District Beautification

Beyond the festival, significant enhancements are planned for the district itself. “We are planning to install flower baskets on the light poles, paint the light poles from green to black, and paint our Lilac District logo onto the three intersections along Mainstreet,” Robinson detailed. “We’re also looking to project some images onto building structures at night that establish our brand in the Lilac District, as well as doing some work with the intersection crosswalks to make them more appealing.”

Despite its name, Robinson notes, “If you look around, we’re kind of barren concrete for all three blocks of downtown.” These efforts aim to inject charm into the area and solidify the Lilac District’s identity as a welcoming and vibrant part of the community.

The city is playing a crucial role in supporting these changes. “The city supports Claremore Main Street each year by giving us our primary source of funding,” Robinson explained. “We also have Kyle Clifton, the city planner, on our board. He sits in on our design committee and acts as our consultant with the city on all the projects and activities that we have going on.”

Creating a Thriving Downtown Environment

The ultimate goal? To create a thriving downtown business environment. “I want people waiting in line to open a business on Claremore’s Main Street,” Robinson said. “We want businesses here to be long term. We want stability, and economic vitality, and we want the Lilac District to become a place where people want to shop, eat, unwind, and experience a bit of what living in Claremore’s all about.”

To encourage community engagement, the Lilac District has a robust event lineup, starting in May with Boots on the Boulevard to kick off food truck season. “We usually do something about every month, and we encourage people to follow us on social media and come participate,” Robinson urged. “That helps us achieve our goals and mission.”

For those looking to stay updated on all things Lilac District, Robinson recommends following the Lilac District Facebook page and visiting downtownclaremore.org. With so many exciting developments ahead, downtown Claremore is poised for a bright and bustling future.