The Oklahoma Main Street Center announced last week 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, Sept. 24, 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, of Okmulgee, 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-basisas- 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 as follows:

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.