Shop Claremore and Win Christmas Cash

The Shop Claremore campaign kicks off Novemberr 16.

“Some people have the Santa Cash drawing down to an art,” says Julie Adams, chairperson of the annual Shop Claremore campaign, which kicks off November 16.  “Some show up at the drawing with Excel spreadsheets of their ticket numbers.  They get really serious about Santa Cash.”

The annual event, which focuses on “keeping the dollars in Claremore,” attracts a crowd at Lantow Field each year.  The stadium, which is located behind Claremore High School, is filled to the brim on the morning of the drawing.  Santa Cash will end this year at noon on December 21, culminating with the cash giveaway on December 22 at 10 a.m.

The top prize again this year is $5,000, donated by participating merchants, and a second prize of $2,500 has been given by Suburban Chevrolet, one of the Santa Cash sponsors.  Other event sponsors include RCB Bank, Claremore Daily Progress, 1st Bank, IBC Bank, Wal-Mart, Grand Bank, the Claremore Chamber of Commerce, as well as Bank of Commerce.

The Santa Cash campaign has also been extended this year by one week.  “Our merchants wanted to add this time to take care of last minute shoppers,” says Adams.

For each $10 that a shopper spends at participating Santa Cash merchants, he or she will receive a ticket and will be automatically entered in the grand prize drawing.  To win one of the prizes, participants must be present at the drawing on December 22 with their tickets.

In addition to an extra week of shopping, an extra cash prize will be awarded this year. “Many shoppers don’t want to be present for the live drawing,” says Adams.  “Merchants suggested that we add another prize of $1,000 that can be claimed by checking the Claremore Progress or the Claremore Chamber of Commerce website.  The winning number will be publicized, and the owner of that ticket will have until midnight on January 2 to call and claim the prize.

“Since moving the drawing to Lantow Field three years ago, traffic problems are no longer an issue,” Adams says.  “With assistance from the Claremore Police Department, we are able to move traffic quickly and, more importantly, safely.  Traffic from our 2006 drawing was cleared in less than 30 minutes, which is faster than the traffic from one of our trains.”

As a timed event, the annual drawing uses a buzzer to add to the excitement.  After the first ticket number is drawn, people have two minutes to claim their prize.  If no winner comes forth, only one minute is allowed for each additional ticket drawn.  “Last year, we drew three numbers before we had a winner for the $5,000,” Adams adds.  “People who could have been winners weren’t there.”

Shoppers will not want to miss out on the December 22 event.  “People usually start lining up at around 9 a.m. for the drawing,” Adams says.  “It’s a lot of fun.”  Santa Claus will also be making a surprise visit to liven up the atmosphere during the Santa Cash giveaway.  Shop Claremore this holiday season for the chance to win the grand prize.  For more information, contact the Claremore Chamber of Commerce at (918) 341-2818.

Santa Cash Sponsors:
1st Bank Oklahoma
RCB Bank
Bank of Commerce
Grand Bank
IBC BankWal-Mart
Suburban Chervolet
Claremore Daily Progress
Claremore Chamber of Commerce

Participating Merchants:
A Place of Grace
ABI Insurance
Atwoods
Carl's Coney Island
Claremore Cinema 8
Claremore Compounding
Office Everything
Dorothy's Flowers
Direct Maytag
Dr. Tina Foutz
Enterprise Sod Store
Felts Shoes
Health Center Pharmacy
Heat Wave Tanning
Hein's Jewelry
Hourglass Collision
J&J Pharmacy
J&S Ceramics
Kwik Kar and Lube
Lowe's
McDonalds
Pepper's Grill
Pizza Time
Pixley Lumber Company
Plum Gold
Reasor's Supermarket
Robertson Tire
Walgreens
Warehouse Market
WestLake Ace Hardware

For more information, contact

Claremore Chamber of Commerce

419 W. Will Rogers Blvd.

Claremore, OK 74017

(918) 341-2818