For the past 30 years, Emporia Main Street has been a shining example of what Main Street organizations should aspire to be. This was one of many facts to celebrate Friday night as Emporia Main Street held its annual meeting and 30th-anniversary celebration at the Granada Theatre.
The annual meeting was sold out with hundreds of individuals in attendance, including state officials such as Kansas Main Street Director Scott Sewell and Kansas Lt. Governor David Toland. While speaking with KVOE News, Toland stated that Main Street’s numerous accolades and successes deserve to be celebrated.
He says Emporia Main Street is an organization the state holds in high regard as a great example of what main street communities should strive to be both at the state and national levels.
After 30 years’ worth of accomplishments, Main Street Director Casey Woods says he’s excited to see what the next 30 years has in store for the organization.
Among the accolades celebrated Friday night, the most recent was Emporia Main Street being named one of six recipients of the National Main Street: Main Street Forward award earlier this year. Emporia Main Street Community Development Coordinator Jessica Buccholz says while Main Street was named the recipient of the honor, it is a recognition she believes belongs to the entire Emporia community.
Separately during the meeting, Main Street recognized its annual list of award winners and elected its new officers for the Main Street Board. Lisa Kirmer was elected to serve as Board President, Jeremy Johns as Vice-President, Tract Weltha as Secretary and Lane Massey as Treasurer.
AWARD RECIPIENTS:
Advocate of the Year: Erren Harter
Volunteer of the Year: Mary Kretsinger
Business of the Year: Newman Regional Health
Steve Hanschu Excellence in Design Award: Paula Sauder
Warren J. Brinkman Award: Angie and Mark Schreiber and Skin Studio
The Granada was not the only place where Main Street was celebrated Friday evening as local shoppers took part in the Summer Midnight Madness sales event, hear live music and visited several local food trucks that were all on hand for the evening’s festivities.
Photos by Tagan Trahoon/KVOE News
