CHEROKEE — Cherokee Main Street program officials are working hard to make known venues in their town that are worth a look and draw visitors to their unique community.
“We’re the organization that is concerned with downtown revitalization,” said Susie Koontz, Main Street program manager.
In larger towns the main street organizations are concerned specifically with the downtown area, but in smaller towns downtown isn’t just considered a few city blocks.
“We’re a small town so we don’t draw the borders at just the downtown area,” said Koontz.
One annual draw to Cherokee is the craft show that occurs each year. This year, Cherokee Main Street is planning something bigger.
“Craft shows are not the huge event they used to be,” said Koontz. “On Nov. 6 we are sponsoring our first annual Turnip Festival.”
Turnips?
“They are part of the pioneer heritage around here,” said Koontz.
The festival will include several turnip games and even a contest with potato guns or, rather, “turnip guns.”
There will be a noodle dinner, games for kids, a craft show and an antique tractor show or an antique tractor pull.
Main Street also is taking part in historical preservation and partners with Preservation Oklahoma in some of its endeavors. Visitors will be able to see some of their efforts on a tour April 25.
“We’re going to have a tour of our historical homes and historical commercial property,” said Koontz. “It’s important for people from other communities to see Cherokee.”
People who come for the tour also may want to visit some of Cherokee’s other attractions, such as a museum, restaurants and shops.
“Merchant-wise we have got some things here that are bringing people to Cherokee,” said Koontz.
One of the town’s unique stores is Scrapbooking 101, a store for those who like to scrapbook photos and mementos.
“They have a really, really, very unique store,” said Koontz.
Also drawing people to Cherokee is the indoor arena at the fairgrounds where different rodeo and ranch competitions are held.
Cherokee’s residents also will be seeing some fruits of labor when it comes to revitalizing the community.
American Reinvestment and Recovery Act is providing funding to allow Great Salt Plains Health Center to renovate the old hospital building in Cherokee.
Great Salt Plains Health Center serves not only those who are uninsured or underinsured but many who choose the clinic’s services for the quality of service offered.
The renovation of the old building will give the clinic more space and allow for more services.
“It’s pretty exciting,” said Koontz.
The town also has an Integris Health satellite for local patients.
“The Integris satellite was here before (the other clinic), and I’m sure it’s going to stay here,” said Koontz.
Cherokee also recently acquired a fitness center and an old auto repair shop has been renovated into an online and local pool supply store. The old bowling alley in Cherokee has been renovated and is now Kids Against Hunger. The town has gained a new electrician and plumber and will be gaining an additional auto repair facility.
Another improvement the town has seen is the public library’s move to Main Street. The library now is handicapped accessible.
“We’re looking pretty good,” said Koontz. “We have made progress, and we have progress to go. I can’t wait to see the census.”
Northwest Oklahoma 1
Related Photos
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Troy Eshleman works on a piece of furniture in his restoration shop, Land Run Legacies. Cherokee boasts several unique businesses, Main Street officials say.
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Cherokee Main Street program officials are working on revitalizing their town, starting with pointing out many of the reasons to visit their northwest Oklahoma community. Town officials are looking at the downtown area when it comes to promotion.
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Cherokee Main Street program officials are working on revitalizing their town, starting with pointing out many of the reasons to visit their northwest Oklahoma community. Town officials are looking at the downtown area when it comes to promotion.
Discussion
Cherokee Main Street revitalizing community
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