The Oklahoma Main Street Center announced the winners in 21 competitive award categories during the 30th annual Main Street Awards Banquet, May 7, at the Embassy Suites Downtown Medical Center Hotel.
The Oklahoma Main Street Center has been a coordinating program with Main Street America since 1985.
“Over the past 34 years more than $1.7 billion has been invested, both privately and publicly, in Main Street commercial districts,” said Brent Kisling, executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, which oversees the Oklahoma Main Street Center. “In addition, nearly 1.5 million volunteer hours have been donated to local programs. Business recruiters take into consideration a thriving commercial core when making decisions on where to move their businesses. Main Street is making a difference for the State of Oklahoma.”
Held yearly in Oklahoma City, the Main Street Banquet highlights the best of the best throughout the state.
“The Main Street Annual Banquet is our chance to show our appreciation on a statewide level to all the directors, volunteers and board members, as well as the building and business owners that what they do matters,” said Buffy Hughes, director of the Oklahoma Main Street Center program. “This spirited competition celebrates all the dedicated people, original events, historic preservation, and financial investments that make our historic commercial districts thrive.”
Programs compete in 21 award categories representing the “four points”of the Main Street Approach – Organization, Promotion, Economic Vitality and Design. Panels of outside judges for each point review the entries and determine the winners.
The award winners for 2019 are:
ORGANIZATION:
Premier Partner
Enid – Enid Regional Development Alliance
Best Community Education/Public Awareness
Okmulgee – Talk Local @ The Lokal with Green Country Technology Center
Best Volunteer Development Program
Newkirk – Children’s Christmas Shop
Main Street Hero
Ponca City – Terron Liles
Best Creative Fundraising Effort
Enid – History Makers Campaign
PROMOTION:
Premier Special Event Under 1,000 Attendees
Wilburton – Relics and Rods Car Show, Swap Meet, Cruise Night and Fireworks
Premier Special Event Over 1,000 Attendees
El Reno – The Burger Day Festival
Best Retail Event
Duncan – Holiday Stroll
Outstanding Image Promotion
Enid – Pedestrian Kiosks
Creative New Event
Kendall Whittier – Kendall Whittier Ale Trail
DESIGN:
Best Placemaking Project
Okmulgee – Outdoor Fitness Court
Best Sustainable Design Project
Okmulgee – OSUIT “GOPO” (Grand Old Post Office)
Best Interior Design Project
Ardmore – Blake Bush Family Eye Care Clinic
Best Façade Rehabilitation Under $10,000
Altus – Lady Austin’s
Best Façade Rehabilitation Over $10,000
Kendall Whittier – The Taproom at Marshall Brewing
Best Visual Merchandising
Ada – Rustic Ridge
Best Building/Business Branding
Durant – Bliss Boutique
ECONOMIC VITALITY:
Best Adaptive Reuse Project
Tulsa Route 66 – Red Fork Distillery
Best Business Practices
Ada – Serendipity on Main
Best New Business
Kendall Whittier – Heirloom Rustic Ales
Ponca City – Vortex Alley Brewing
Business of the Year
Kendall Whittier – Marshall Brewing Company
