Will Rogers Days a tradition in Claremore

 

Will Rogers Days is a tradition held dear to people of Rogers County. During the 70 years since the Will Rogers Memorial Museum opened in Claremore, the event has involved people nationwide.

Thousands were at the Memorial when it opened Nov. 4, 1938, the 55th birthday of Will Rogers and three years after the death of Will and Wiley Post in an Aug. 15, 1935 Alaskan airplane crash. On the anniversary of his birth people from across the nation gather in Claremore to honor the Cherokee cowboy born on a sprawling Indian Territory ranch, who became one of the worlds most beloved and famous men.

Will Rogers Days activities this year span four days beginning 2 p.m., Nov. 4, with an Indian Women’s Pocahontas Club tribute at the Memorial. Each year members of the 110-year-old club of which Will was an honorary member, place a wreath at the Rogers’ family tomb on the museum grounds.

Will and Betty Rogers and three of their children and a daughter-in-law are interred in the tomb on land purchased by Will in 1911 as a future home site.

Another tradition — started when the Will’s birthplace near Oologah, where he was born Nov. 4, 1879, became a museum and state park  — is a 9 a.m., Nov. 5, birthday party.

Oologah-Talala Elementary students will perform original songs. Children gather around as World Champion Trick Roper Kowboy Kal, who has studied Will’s rope tricks, entertains. There will be birthday cake with candles.

Plans for the afternoon include a musical production and storytelling sessions at the Claremore museum.

Will Rogers Days end with a 4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 7, parade down Will Rogers Boulevard through Claremore.

All events are free and open to the public.

Before his death, Will Rogers had traveled the world, made friends with kings, princes and presidents and was the common mans’ idol. He

took his rope tricks from Vaudeville stage to the big screen, wrote thousands of syndicated columns, authored books and raised thousands of dollars for charities from Red Cross to Salvation Army and drought and flood relief in the U.S. and abroad. He starred in 21 Twentieth Century Fox movies and was at the top of the box office in 1934 He was the hero in 50 silent films.

Will Rogers Memorial in Claremore and the Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch near Oologah are open to the public 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., 365 days a year. Will’s movies show continuously every day. Admission is by donation.

(For information, call toll free 800-324-9455)