GREENWOOD - Main Street Greenwood will soon be installing thirteen new bike racks throughout downtown Greenwood in an effort to further promote Greenwood as a bike-friendly community.

The racks are the result of a design competition that was held in conjunction with Main Street’s 2009 Art Alfresco event, which occurs annually in downtown Greenwood. Of the more than fifteen entries, Greenwood resident Jon Rayeski’s circular design was chosen as the winner, based on its functionality, originality, and overall quality of design.

In the fall of 2009, a campaign to raise funds for the racks began. Each bike rack cost $200 and were all paid for through private sponsorships. Currently, there are two additional bike racks available for sponsorship, according to Lise Foy, outgoing director of Main Street Greenwood. Foy said the bike racks are something she is very proud to have been involved with as Main Street director.

“The whole idea began when the Art Alfresco committee decided to do something that would provide public art for the city that was functional as well,” Foy said. “We wanted the design process to be an interactive part of Art Alfresco, which we achieved through the competition.”

Mayor Carolyn McAdams said the project is a great contribution to her goal of making Greenwood more pedestrian- and bike-friendly. “We want Greenwood to be both walkable and accessible to the biking community,” McAdams said. “The racks look great,” she continued. “Because the design is creative and has aesthetic appeal, it doubles as public art.”

Bike racks will begin to be installed in thirteen locations next week. If you are interested in sponsoring one of the two remaining bike racks, contact Melissa Tribble, Executive Director of Main Street Greenwood, at 662-453-0365 or via email.

GREENWOOD - The City of Greenwood unveiled its newest historic marker at the Greenwood Underpass on Main Street at Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive Thursday, August 12, at 9 a.m.  The Art-Deco underpass, which was opened to traffic in 1940, was listed on that National Register of Historic Places in November 2008.

Momentum for rehabilitating the structure picked up when local historian Marion Howard began raising funds for a historic marker to be located on the site.  Main Street Greenwood, Inc., the Greenwood-Leflore Chamber of Commerce, and the Greenwood Convention and Visitors Bureau all pitched in to purchase the marker, which reads:

click here to download application!

Art Alfresco

 April 22  |  Thursday

 Experience art in the evening. Take a stroll downtown and join our participating merchants for an evening of original art, live music, carriage rides and refreshments.  Starts at 5 p.m. at various downtown merchant locations.

 ‘Que on the Yazoo

 May 22  |  Saturday

 BBQ championship on the banks of the Yazoo River, Delta artisan showcase on Howard Street, Y’all Magazine’s Sweet Tea Challenge, Downtown Farmers’ Market Iron Chef Competition.  Events begin at 10 a.m.  Music at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.  Click here for registration information.

 Main Street Chrome Show

 June 12  |  Saturday

 A variety of vehicles will fill the streets downtown—custom cars, street rods, muscle cars, classic motorcycles, cars and trucks.  Enjoy the show, dine in surrounding restaurants and enjoy great shopping in historic downtown.  Starts at 9 a.m.  Click here for registration information.

 Downtown Concerts

 August 6  |  Friday  AND  September 18  |  Saturday

 Two outdoor concerts in the heart of downtown, featuring a variety of musical     genres and performers. In conjunction with Bikes, Blues & Bayous (August) and 300 Oaks Road Race (September).  Concerts begin at 6 p.m.

 Supporting Sponsors:

Delta Distributing Co. | Greenwood Convention & Visitors Bureau | Mississippi Development Authority, Tourism Division | Beard + Riser Architects | Greenwood Leflore Hospital | Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation | The Greenwood Commonwealth | Trustmark Bank | WABG | WYMX

Business & Individual Sponsors:

Phillips & White Orthodontics | Regions Bank | Staplcotn | Norris Bookbinding Co. | Johnson-McAdams Firm  Edward Jones | Greenwood Family Dental | Pillow Academy | The Alluvian Hotel | Lawrence Printing Co. | The Fresh Laundry | Entergy Mississippi | China Blossom

Main Street Greenwood strives to create an atmosphere within the historic commercial district that both stimulates new growth and enhances the current commercial and residential population.  Our organization has helped to bring decorative trash receptacles, handi-capped curb cuts and new iron benches to the District over the past 14 years.  To encourage more pedestrian and cyclist traffic in our Downtown, we are leading the way for the installation of bicycle racks.  Our goal is to raise funds to purchase 12-15 racks initially.  As a sponsor of a bike rack, your name or organization or business name will be placed on a plaque affixed to the base of the rack.  The cost of each one is only $200!  This could be advertising for you for many years to come!  Thank you for your support of this project and for your support of Main Street Greenwood!

Send an email to mainstreetgreenwood@gmail.com to request a sponsorship form.

Thanks to the first 7 sponsors!

Beard + Riser Architects

Cottonlandia Museum

Golden Age, Inc.

Edward Jones Investments

Jones Signs, LLC

The Alluvian Hotel

Luke Schissel

L to R: Lise Foy holds the plaque for Crystal Garrett of the Sweet Pea, Beth Williams-The Alluvian, Jean Blunden-Staplcotn, Brittney Cox-The Mississippi Gift Co.

Congratulations to: The Alluvian - Best Decorating & Lighting 11 Employees or More

The Mississippi Gift Company -  Best Decorating & Lighting 10 Employees or Less 

Staplcotn - Most Creative Display 11 Employees or More

The Sweet Pea - Most Creative Display 10 Employees or Less