By Betsy Brewer Brantner
Contributing Writer

Oxford Mainstreet, Inc.’s First Fridays begin on May 2 with a celebration of Cinco de Mayo from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on S. Third Street in Oxford.

Leslie Sleesman, the interim executive director of Oxford Mainstreet, Inc. (OMI) is beyond excited for the fun to begin.

“Our First Fridays are held May, June, August, and September,” she said. “We always have a great lineup. First Fridays are a great community event for everyone, and they are free.”

Full details about events planned by OMI can be found at oxfordmainstreet.com/first-fridays.

OMI is working on securing their Mainstreet Designation through the Pennsylvania Downtown Center and Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). The Pennsylvania Downtown Center partners with Mainstreet America to revitalize downtown communities.

Main Street is a comprehensive, community-based approach to revitalizing downtowns and central business districts, and these programs have been working across the United States since the early 1980s.

The Pennsylvania Downtown Center (PDC) is a Main Street America coordinating program and provides technical assistance, board and committee support and education to designated programs while the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) provides access to funding opportunities and oversight of designated Main Street and Elm Street Programs in Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania Downtown Center is part of a powerful, grassroots network consisting of more than 40 Coordinating Programs and over 1,200 neighborhoods and communities across the country. These programs are committed to creating high-quality places and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development.

Sleesman said, “Mainstreet designation is a roadmap for organizations like OMI. Basically, it sets up our organization for success by using the national Mainstreet model. It goes through the background, demographics, bylaws, etc. All of these things help you become better positioned for success and funding. This is a process that helps your organization become better equipped to help your community be more effective. People check it to make sure you are set up seek funding ops that non-designated Mainstreets don’t have access to.

OMI received a $30,000 grant from DCED which will be used for a strategic plan. 

Sleesman added, “We are on the precipice of great changes because of the fire and the theatre project. I want to make sure OMI is in best position to help merchants in downtown Oxford succeed. We are always making contacts with potential merchants and seek people we want to bring to our town. We are always looking for sponsors for events, inside and outside of Oxford. We are looking to partner with community-minded partners who are willing to give back to also partner with community outside of Oxford to sponsor events.”

Oxford Mainstreet Inc. is located at 39 S. Third St., Oxford. Call 998-9494 or visit oxfordmainstreet.com for more information about events and activities.