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Poteau plans Main Street Week |
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Monday, 06 October 2008 |
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PDN photo by David Deaton 
Randy Bridgman (left), President of Main Street Matters, along with Karla Ochoa, Executive Director of Main Street, were on hand as Poteau Mayor Jeff Shockley, signed a proclamation declaring Oct. 6 through Oct. 11 as Poteau Main Street Matters Week.
By David Deaton
News Reporter
Next week has been declared Main Street Matters Week in Poteau.
In recognition of the special week, several activities have been planned. According to Carla Ochoa, Executive Director of Main Street Matters, all business owners in downtown Poteau are invited to a free continental breakfast on Monday at 8 until 9 a.m. inside Dewey Plaza where the Main Street office is located.
On Wednesday Main Street Matters members are welcome to enjoy a free luncheon buffet from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the office in Dewey Plaza.
Ochoa urges all downtown business owners to promote Main Street Matters Week and the activities involved. Business owners are being asked to decorate their store fronts and windows. The public will be voting on their favorites and will receive a traveling trophy to display in their store.
Businesses will be conducting a drawing for a prizes and will be serving refreshments during the customer appreciation week.
"Customers making purchases in a downtown store may put their names in for drawings for free prizes," Ochoa said. "Drawings will be held Saturday. Winners do not have to be present to win."
In conjunction with the special week the students in Lisa Griffith’s 3rd grade art class at Poteau Elementary participated in a poster contest which depicts the downtown buildings. Their artwork will be displayed throughout the week at Dewey Plaza. Awards will be given for first, second and third place winners.
Mrs. Houghtaling’s art class at Pansy Kidd Middle School will enjoy drawing sidewalk art with chalk on the main downtown street on Thursday.
The Fall Festival is scheduled for Saturday from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. and there will be something for everyone.
For all those football fans the OU/Texas game will be projected on a big screen in the Pocket Park. There will be carnival games for the kids, along with crafters, food vendors, a cake walk, Bingo and a Stick Horse Walk for the kids. The kids participating in the Stick Horse Walk will receive a free stick horse decorated by various business owners.
A pumpkin decorating contest is also scheduled. Contestants should have the pumpkin carved or decorated before the event.
Live bands will be performing and there will be a 4-wheeler giveaway. Anyone making a $20 donation to Main Street will receive a ticket to enter the drawing for the 350 Grizzly Yamaha 4-wheeler which can be seen in Dewey Plaza this week. Tickets are available at the Main Street office.
Poteau is one of 43 Oklahoma communities and five urban districts actively participating in the Oklahoma Main Street Program.
Poteau Mayor Jeff Shockley said, "Community volunteers have made all the difference. These countless volunteers have spent more than 4,800 hours working to preserve our downtown as the heart of the community.”
Poteau Main Street Director, Karla Ochoa said, "The Poteau Main Street Program has made a tangible difference. Since our program began in 2005, more than 10 buildings have been rehabilitated, over $1,354,000 has been reinvested by private sectors, with over $17,000,000 in public improvements, In addition, more than 40 jobs have been created."
According to Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry, more $639 million have been invested in Oklahoma’s Main Street downtowns. More than 11,600 new jobs have been created and more than 3,700 businesses have started or expanded across the state thanks to the efforts of community volunteers who have taken back their downtowns. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce has provided training and technical assistance to participating programs.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 07 October 2008 )
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