Oklahoma Main Street announces award winners

The Oklahoma Main Street Center announced the winners of its annual statewide awards during the 34th Main Street Awards Banquet held on September 24 in Oklahoma City. Programs from across the state competed in 24 award categories representing the “Four Points” of the Main Street Approach: 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 districtseach element plays a vital role in making our Main Streets exceptional."

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.”

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 Faade Rehabilitation Under $25,000:Perry Dreamer Properties/Maroon Nutrition

Best Faade 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 .

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