OKLAHOMA CITY (OBV) — The Oklahoma Main Street Center named the winners of its annual statewide competition this week during the 34th annual Main Street Awards Banquet in Oklahoma City.
Oklahoma Main Street is a wing of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce that provides training, resources and technical assistance to revitalize and protect cherished historic commercial districts and bring them back to their former glory.
The 24 award categories represent the Main Street Approach’s Four Points: Organization, Promotion, Economic Vitality and Design. Panels of outside judges reviewed entries for each point and selected winners from the competing programs from across the state. The ceremony, held on Tuesday, also presented awards for Program of the Year, the Watonga Bob Shoemaker Award (Program Director of the Year) and the Oklahoma Main Street Legacy Award.
“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!”
Rusty Milroy, Okmulgee, Okla., received the Oklahoma Main Street Legacy Award for demonstrating long-term commitment to and belief in the Main Street Program. Milroy is a lifelong Okmulgee resident and is the Commercial Lending Officer and Vice-President of Mabrey Bank. He has participated in the Okmulgee Main Street program since 1986, including two terms as president of the board. He is also 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’,” Skee said. “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.
Finalists for the Watonga Bob Shoemaker award included Maci Graves, Ponca City Main Street; Jamie Hale, Tahlequah Main Street; and Vicki Davis, Yukon 66 Main Street. Davis was awarded the top honor.
“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.”
Sapulpa Main Street was named the 2024 Main Street Program of the Year is Sapulpa Main Street. The Oklahoma Main Street Center measures various quality ratings for each local Main Street program when determining the program of the year. Quality ratings 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. The award recognizes 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
Visit okcommerce.gov/mainstreet for more information about the Oklahoma Main Street Center.
