Ponca City Main Street (PCMS) held their 2023 Ponca City Main Street Awards Banquet on Tuesday, Feb. 28 in the Summit Room at City Central.

This event featured a Mardi Gras inspired theme with drinks and heavy hors d’oeuvres. Following a cocktail hour from 6 pm to 7 pm, the awards ceremony began with a presentation by Speak Now Productions.

The following are the categories and the award winners: - The Main Street Hero award shows gratitude to someone whose contribution to the Ponca City Main Street program and has made a special impact on the future and livelihood of the program. The winner was Lori Henderson.

- Board Member of the Year is awarded to an individual that has been active in Ponca City Main Street within the past year and has made exceptional commitments to the program. The recipient of this award demonstrates leadership and exemplary service to Ponca City Main Street, promoting and working towards the organization’s transformation strategies of art, entertainment, and community connection. The winner was Chelsi Hendrickson.

- Volunteer of the Year award is given each year to recognize a volunteer who serves on one of the Ponca City Main Street committees and who consistently goes above and beyond what is asked of them, and takes on difficult, time-consuming tasks. This years winner was Tiffany Hermann.

- The Premier Partner award recognizes a business or organization whose support has been instrumental in the success of the Main Street program, and the downtown community within the past year. The winner was KR Automation.

- Business of the Year is an award to recognize a business with a proven success record that is filling in a need in the downtown district. The winner was City Arts.

- New Business of the Year is awarded to a new business that has opened in the district within the last two years and has made a significant positive impact in downtown and on the community. The winner of this award was The Farm House Kids Co.

- Best Digital Influence is awarded to a business or organization that fully utilizes their social media platform to engage the community in everything that makes their business prominent. The win- ner was Speak Now Productions.

- Best Interior Design is awarded to a business or property owner that has made vast improvements to the interior of their building. The winner was Spray Gifts.

- Best Window Display recognizes a business that goes above and beyond throughout each season to keep their window displays looking updated and current. The winner of this award was Cast Iron Co.

- Best Downtown Entertainment goes to the business that contributes to providing amusement and enjoyment in downtown. The winner was The Axe Hole.

The event also saw the presentation of the “5 Under 40” winners. The winners of this award demonstrated significant contributions to the community through their role in business, community involvement, volunteer work, leadership ability, influence and advocacy. The 2023 5 Under 40 are Brooke Jones, Nancy Laffey, Rachel Stewart, Brandie Choate, and Noel Melendez.

Following the awards ceremony, an after party was held at Astoria.