[MainstreetManagers] Banquet press release and link to photos.

[Kelli Yadon]

Good morning, almost afternoon the day after!

What a fabulous time we had last night celebrating you all and your local Main Street efforts! I hope everyone made it home safely!

Below is the press release that should go out to statewide media tomorrow.
In addition, hopefully this will work to get your access to the photos!  The link will expire in three days and this is all the photos so what you don’t need after downloading, just delete. 😊  This was the quickest way to get you your photos.

Also, the video will be up at some point on youtube on the commerce channel. When it is available I will send email out.

https://wetransfer.com/downloads/848d4cca66eba8ecd21f5179acad666b20240925160640/6123c89a5c103e4fea265c911e3ec9ac20240925160640/f935bb <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/wetransfer.com/downloads/848d4cca66eba8ecd21f5179acad666b20240925160640/6123c89a5c103e4fea265c911e3ec9ac20240925160640/f935bb?trk=TRN_TDL_01&utm_campaign=TRN_TDL_01&utm_medium=email&utm_source=sendgrid__;!!NZFi6Pppv9YRQw!qItj3XZy6FKUFxm-pmWycI49GsZ8s17mMSykA2AH5jwCeAVBJh4nE0HORjZhVXDbSpwdepP45Ca-qHnHbg2uAtZGtHM$>

For Immediate Release

Oklahoma Main Street Announces Award Winners

(Oklahoma City, Okla.) – The Oklahoma Main Street Center announced today the winners of the program’s annual statewide awards competition. Finalists were recognized and the winners announced during the 34th annual Main Street Awards Banquet, September 24th, in Oklahoma City.

Programs across the state competed in 24 award categories representing the “Four Points” of the Main Street Approach which are Organization, Promotion, Economic Vitality and Design. Panels of outside judges for each point reviewed the entries and determined the winners.  In addition, Program of the Year, the Watonga Bog Shoemaker Award (Program Director of the Year) and the Oklahoma Main Street Legacy Award were also recognized and awarded.

“These awards truly shine a spotlight on the incredible dedication and tireless efforts poured into our local programs,” said Buffy Skee, director of the Oklahoma Main Street Center. “From the vibrant, unique events that have become cherished traditions, to the passionate volunteers, the meticulous restoration projects, and the flourishing small businesses that breathe life into our downtowns and historic districts—each element plays a vital role in making our Main Streets exceptional. These awards are a celebration of the brilliance that makes Main Streets across Oklahoma not just survive, but truly thrive. Congratulations to all the top finishers and winners for your extraordinary achievements and contributions!”

The Oklahoma Main Street Legacy Award is given to an individual that has shown long-term commitment to and belief in the Main Street Program. Rusty Milroy, Okmulgee, Okla., received the 2024 award.  Milroy has been a lifelong resident of Okmulgee and is the Commercial Lending Officer and Vice-President of Mabrey Bank.  He has been involved with the Okmulgee Main Street program since 1986 including two terms as president of the board. Among his many other honors and volunteer positions he is an Oklahoma Main Street Foundation Board Member as well as the Oklahoma Main Street Advisory Board.

“Rusty is the perfect example of ‘once involved with Main Street, always involved with Main Street’,” said Skee. “Main Street works because of people like Rusty who care about their community and wants to see it succeed. We are grateful for his involvement at not only the local level but for the statewide program. He offers his insight, knowledge and experience for the betterment of the program.”

In the world of Main Street, people tend to lose their last names once becoming a Main Street Director. This was certainly true of Bob Shoemaker or “Watonga Bob.” Always an informal guy on a first-name-basis-as-soon-as-he-met-you, Bob took on the program director position later in life after a successful business career. He passed away suddenly in 2010 but not before leaving an indelible mark in the Oklahoma Main Street world because of his work ethic, service to his community and promotion of the Main Street Program.

The finalists for the award this year included Maci Graves, Ponca City Main Street; Jamie Hale, Tahlequah Main Street; and Vicki Davis, Yukon 66 Main Street.  Davis of Yukon received the top honor this year.

“Vicki is a tremendous asset to Yukon 66 Main Street,” said Angie McPherson, Yukon 66 Main Street president. “She works tirelessly to ensure the program is working towards its goals and mission statement while building strong relationships with those involved in the community. Vicki’s knowledge of and experience with the Main Street Approach has helped Yukon’s program grow while also providing educational opportunities for board members, committee members and community volunteers. Vicki’s love and appreciation for the Main Street program has inspired the board and others to continue to set goals that are the map to the success of the program.”

The 2024 Main Street Program of the Year is Sapulpa Main Street. To determine the Main Street Program of the Year, the Oklahoma Main Street Center measures various quality ratings for each local Main Street program.  These include meeting the six Standards of National Accreditation and other activities such as attending the annual awards banquet and additional trainings, timely submission of Main Street Award nominations and reinvestment reports, etc. This award is a mark of program excellence, and measured involvement within the program.

The 2024 Point award winners are:

ORGANIZATION:
Premier Partner
Perry – Ditch Witch

Best Main Street Community Education Campaign
Yukon – Yukon E.D.G.E. Tools for Your business Workshop

Outstanding Community Engagement Effort
Sapulpa – Route 66 Christmas Chute

Main Street Hero
Tahlequah – Brad Hale

Best Creative Fundraising Effort
Woodward – Food Truck Throw Down

Outstanding Public Official
Ponca City – Rhonda Skrapke


PROMOTION:
Premier Special Event Under 1,000 Attendees
Tahlequah – OksWagen Festival

Premier Special Event Over 1,000 Attendees
Tahlequah – Red Fern Festival

Best Main Street Retail Event
Altus – Barbie Crawl

Outstanding Image Promotion
Ponca City – Unity Mural Project

Creative New Event
Enid – Bikes and Barks


DESIGN:
Best Placemaking Project
Tahlequah – The Cultural Pathway Project

Best Interior Design Project Under $25,000
Ponca City – The Harvest Hall

Best Interior Design Project Over $25,000
Altus – Hudson Hall

Best Façade Rehabilitation Under $25,000
Perry – Dreamer Properties/Maroon Nutrition

Best Façade Rehabilitation Over $25,000
Altus – Hudson Hall

Best Visual Merchandising
Sapulpa – Crossroads Cookery Coffee Lab

Best Building/Business Branding
Altus – The Enchanted Door


ECONOMIC VITALITY:
Best Adaptive Reuse Project Under $25,000
Ponca City – The Harvest Hall

Best Adaptive Reuse Project Over $25,000
Sapulpa – Sugar Llamas/Bowden Building

Outstanding Entrepreneurial Endeavor
Perry – Willow Lane

Outstanding Business Expansion
Stockyards City – Boxcar Woody Furniture Co.

Best New Business
Sapulpa – Reed Architecture & Interiors

Business of the Year
Ardmore – Casa Romo

For more information about the Oklahoma Main Street Center visit okcommerce/gov/mainstreet.





Kelli Yadon
Program Coordinator | Oklahoma Main Street Center
Oklahoma Department of Commerce
900 N  Stiles Ave. | Oklahoma City, OK  | 73104
405.815.5379 (office)
405.778-9375 (cell)
Kelli.Yadon at okcommerce.gov<mailto:Kelli.Yadon at okcommerce.gov>


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