In 2018, Main Street Delaware organized 5,617 volunteer hours with a monetary value of $138,683 to help preserve, protect, and promote the historic downtown.

Together, these people helped to create monthly First Friday celebrations, twice-weekly farmers’ markets from May through October, a three-day Home for the Holidays weekend, and more. They worked through design, organization, and promotion committees, and in collaboration with city and county economic development offices to help support new businesses with mentoring advice, to organize community cleanups, and to bring the community together in a vibrant and welcoming downtown.

In recognition of its success, Main Street Delaware this month earned its 2019 accreditation as a National Main Street Community. The accreditation followed a half-day evaluation by Columbus-based Heritage Ohio, which works in partnership with the National Main Street Center to identify local programs that meet 10 performance standards such as developing a mission, fostering strong public-private partnerships, tracking a city’s economic progress, and preserving historic buildings. The National Main Street Center is a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

In addition to earning renewal of its national accreditation, Main Street Delaware was honored in October with a statewide Heritage Ohio award for 2017’s Best Main Street Committee Project or Event. Main Street Delaware was recognized for its inaugural three-day Home for the Holidays weekend, which incorporated the downtown tree lighting, Christmas parade, Dash for Dasher scavenger hunt, and business open house into one unforgettable weekend.

“Main Street Delaware is honored to be recognized for making a positive difference in the life of downtown Delaware and the local community,” said Susie Bibler, executive director. “On behalf of our Board of Directors, I would like to thank everyone who supports us by making financial gifts, volunteering their time, and attending our events. We are grateful, too, for strong partnerships with the city and county, and we look forward to an even bigger and brighter future.”

Main Street Delaware is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) member-supported organization that seeks to preserve and promote historic downtown Delaware. In addition to coordinating the First Friday celebrations and downtown Farmers’ Markets, Main Street Delaware oversees the holiday parade and more. Main Street Delaware is an accredited Ohio Main Street Community. For additional information, contact 740-362-6050 or [email protected]. Learn more at www.mainstreetdelaware.com or www.facebook.com/MainStreetDelaware.

About Heritage Ohio

As Ohio’s official historic preservation and Main Street organization, Heritage Ohio fosters economic development and sustainability through preservation of historic buildings, revitalization of downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts, and promotion of cultural tourism. Learn more at www.HeritageOhio.org.