By Steve Steiner

Managing editor

ssteiner@elkintribune.com

The highlight of the May meeting of the Downtown Elkin Inc. held Thursday was the announcement by Teresa Howell that Elkin had been designated an accredited National Main Street City.

“We are one of 18 in North Carolina, and only 725 listed nationally,” said Howell. “We are the second smallest community (in North Carolina).”

The Elkin Main Street Program designation came as a result of the commercial district revitalization embarked upon several years ago, which followed Main Street methodology as put forth by the National Trust.

“We congratulate this year’s nationally accredited Main Street programs for meeting our established performance standards,” state Doug Loescher in a news release.

Loescher is the director of the National Trust Main Street Center. The organization works in partnership with Coordinating Main Street Programs throughout the nation, identifying local programs that meet 10 basic performance standards.

Events next weekend, Saturday, May 23, raised much interest. Taking place will be two events, one right after the other, beginning with a BMW auto rally and then succeeded by Reeves Fest.

Cars participating in the BMW auto rally will begin lining up by the library and continue up West Main Street.

They (organizers) think they’re going to have at least 200 BMWs,” Howell said. “They will start lining up at 9 a.m. and then begin at noon.”

After that, starting at 1 p.m. and running until 10 p.m., will be the Reeves Fest, which will take place at the football field. Five bands will be performing free, and there will be music, foods, crafts and inflatables for children. Proceeds will go to the Reeves Theater renovation.

“It’s going to be a fun-filled day,” said Cicely McCulloch.

A matter of concern was raised considering a recent incident (or incidents) of peddlers pushing merchandise. Some members stated they were reluctant to ask said peddlers whether they have licenses. The advice given was for anyone uncomfortable directly asking peddlers whether they had a license and to show it, to call the police at 835-1111 or 835-9822.

In other matters:

• The start of 4th Friday, which kicks off May 22. Posters were distributed to merchants to place in their windows.

• Plans for this year’s annual 4th of July parade. Merchants were encouraged to be open for business that day. Also discussed was the need for parade volunteers, plus having the parade honor military veterans from all wars, beginning with the American Revolution.

•  A survey for the potential Surry Community College Elkin campus, put together by Golden LEAF was distributed and members asked to fill out and return

• Teresa Howell introduced Leslie Schlender, Elkin’s new economic development director.

• The N.C. Step (Rural Center Program) was discussed, in particular, the 22 planters that have been placed in and around downtown Elkin.