Downtown Tupelo Wins Mississippi Main Street Awards

State honors area Main Streets

by Carlie Kollath/NEMS Daily Journal
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Tupelo, Pontotoc and West Point were among the winners Thursday at the Mississippi Main Street Association's annual awards luncheon in Jackson.

Ladybug's, owned by Machelle Pitcock in Tupelo, won for the best faampçade rehabilitation that cost more than $10,000. The nomination is judged on design quality, proper restoration techniques, creativity and impact within budgetary and other constraints.

The Tupelo guitar art program, created by Kit Stafford, won the state's best downtown public improvement project.

The award is given to the municipality or downtown program that has designed and implemented attractive and sympathetic improvements for its downtown.

Pontotoc County Main Street won the best image or branding promotion campaign for its Pontotoc County Magazine. The award recognizes the downtown organization that has developed an effective public relations piece or promotional campaign.

The Ritz Theatre and Conference Center in West Point tied for the state's best historic rehabilitation project.

The award is presented to an individual or business that has completed an outstanding historic rehabilitation project that maintains the use of the building and meets the Secretary of Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation.

Debbie Brangenberg, the executive director of the Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association, won the Charles O. Beasley Scholarship Award.

The award is a $1,500 scholarship to the National Main Street conference, given to a Main Street manager who has shown outstanding service to his/her community and program.

The scholarship is awarded annually and nominations come from the district directors of MMSA.

The awards were presented by MMSA Executive Director Bob Wilson and 2010 board President Randy Burchfield of Tupelo-based BancorpSouth.

MMSA currently has 49 active community programs throughout the state as well as more than 30 Downtown Network, Association and Charrette communities.



Contact Carlie Kollath at (662) 678-1598 or carlie.kollath@djournal.com.

Read more: NEMS360.com - State honors area Main Streets

Down on Main Entertainment Lineup Announced

Free Concert Series Down on Main Street

The concert series is fun for all ages and enhances the downtown experience
Tupelo, Miss.--Returning for its second year, the “Down on Main” concert series kicks off the first of three events on July 8 at Fairpark Amphitheater in Downtown Tupelo.
Each event will be held on the second Thursday of the month in July, August, and September. All concerts are free and open to the public. Festivities will begin at 6:30 p.m.
“We are very excited about the return of the Down on Main series,” said Debbie Brangenberg, director of Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association. “It totally enhances the downtown experience.”
“Each concert this season, will have its on flavor,” said Chris Root, one of the original committee members. “They all three span different cultures and demographics and appeal to a diverse audience. From rock ‘n roll, blues and bluegrass to folk, jazz and jambands, all three concerts will be unique.”
Entertainment for the event includes Memphis band John Paul Keith & the One Four Fives opening for the modern blues band Hill Country Revue on July 8. On August 12, Sardis, Miss. native Sanders Bohlke will open for the bluegrass band The Infamous Stringdusters. Moon Taxi, an explosive Rock band from Nashville, Tenn., will open for New Orleans group, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band in the last of the concert series on September 9.
This year’s image for the series is an original watercolor designed by local artist Brent Farrar with the poster design by Russell Staffard. Brent attended Mississippi State University in 1998, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture. Currently employed by Mercier Landscape Architect, Brent first showed his work in Tupelo's 2009 GumTree Festival. Brent's work can be purchased at Reed's Bookstore and The Main Artery in Downtown Tupelo.
“Down on Main” is a free summer concert series organized by a group of young Tupelo professionals, partnered with the Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association. “With Tupelo and Mississippi both having such a claim to music, we wanted to give the community an opportunity to experience different genres of live, original music,” said Chris Root, one of the original committee members. The event, which is funded by corporate sponsors and personal donations, has a family friendly atmosphere.
For more information about the “Down on Main” concert series or to inquire about obtaining a sponsorship, call 662-841-6598 or visit the website www.tupelomainstreet.com.

Great Selection at the Farmers' Market in Downtown Tupelo

WOW!!! Stopped by the Farmers' Market on my way in today and could not believe everything that was there!!! Couldn't resist the sweet corn and new potatoes, they're my favorite. I'm going back on Thursday to get all the ingredients to make fresh corn salad --- Thanks to Sherry A. for the great recipe! I think it will be perfect for Fathers' Day this weekend. Here's a short list of whats ready. Remember, the Market opens at 7am Tues., Thursday and Saturday!!! Go by and support our local farmers. Remember that we are a certified MS Farmers' Market and that everything sold is locally grown! Nothing is being shipped in from other areas...... DELICIOUS!!!!!

Green Beans
Cabbage
Onions
Cucumbers
Turnips
Peas
Tomatoes (mostly green ... they are just starting to ripen)
Potatoes
Sweet Corn
Beets
Green Beans
Eggplant
Peppers - Hot & Sweet
Herbs
Squash
Zuccini
Blackberries
Blueberries
Peaches
Baked Goods
Canned Goods
Jellies
Eggs
Honey
Sunflowers