JACKSON, Miss. (June 16, 2026) – The Mississippi Main Street Association (MMSA)
celebrated downtown revitalization success and announced statewide award winners at its 2026 Annual Awards Luncheon at The South in downtown Jackson.

The Annual Awards Luncheon honors Main Street directors, board members, and volunteers and recognizes the most outstanding downtown revitalization projects and events from designated Main Street communities throughout Mississippi.

"A thriving downtown provides increased tax revenue and economic growth while promoting a community's unique sense of place. We celebrate all of the Main Street award winners and their relentless efforts to build stronger, more resilient towns and cities in Mississippi," said Chance McDavid, MMSA's 2026-2027 Board President.

MMSA staff and award sponsors presented the 2026 awards to recipients from designated Main Street communities throughout the state.
This year's award recipients are:
Aberdeen Main Street Association
Amory Main Street
Brandon Main Street Association
Cleveland Main Street
Downtown Hattiesburg Association
Downtown Natchez Alliance
Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association
Laurel Main Street
Main Street Clinton
Main Street Columbia, Inc.
Main Street Greenville
Main Street Greenwood
Meridian Main Street
Moss Point Main Street Association
Nettleton Main Street
New Albany Main Street Association
Ocean Springs Main Street
Okolona Area Chamber/Main Street
Philadelphia Main Street Organization
Ripley Main Street Association
Saltillo Main Street Association
Senatobia Main Street Chamber
Starkville Main Street Association
Tunica Main Street
Vicksburg Main Street Program

In addition, the 2026 Nationally Accredited and Affiliate Main Street programs were recognized.

The 2026 Accredited Main Street Communities in Mississippi include:
Aberdeen, Amory, Baldwyn, Batesville, Biloxi, Booneville, Cleveland, Clinton, Columbia,
Columbus, Corinth, Crystal Springs, Itawamba County, Greenville, Greenwood, Gulfport,
Hattiesburg, Hernando, Laurel, Leake County, Louisville, Meridian, Moss Point, Natchez,
Nettleton, New Albany, Ocean Springs, Okolona, Pascagoula, Pass Christian, Pearl,
Philadelphia, Picayune, Pontotoc, Ripley, Saltillo, Senatobia, Starkville, Tunica, Tupelo,
Vicksburg, Water Valley, and West Point.

2026 Affiliate communities include: Byhalia, Indianola, Sumrall and Woodville.
Brandon and Magee were recognized as new designated Main Street communities this year.

New Network programs for 2026 include Long Beach and Farish Street Historic District.

Main Street directors who have served for 10 years or longer in their communities include: Kay Miller of Biloxi (23 years), Cynthia Sutton of Ocean Springs (19 years), Tara Lytal of Clinton (19 years), Reba Beebe of Picayune (18 years), Kim Hopkins of Vicksburg (18 years), Ann Tackett of Aberdeen (14 years), Barbara Bigelow of Columbus (13 years), Lisa Klutts of West Point (13 years), Tim Moore of Philadelphia (13 years), and Jamie Sowell of Senatobia (10 years).

This year’s Annual Awards Presenting Sponsors were CREATE Foundation, Hancock Whitney, Mississippi Power, Neel-Schaffer, and Ten One Strategies.

Individual Award Sponsors included: Entergy Mississippi, Castle Properties, Community Bank, Community Foundation for Mississippi, Fred Carl Jr. Small Town Center, Mississippi Magazine, Mississippi Heritage Trust, Mississippi Tourism Association, New Albany Main Street, Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce - Main Street - Tourism Bureau, Reed’s, and SuperTalk Mississippi Media.
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General Sponsors included: AIA Mississippi, Mississippi Department of Archives and History, and Visit Meridian Tourism.

In 2025, Mississippi Main Street's Designated Communities generated 361 new businesses, 73 business expansions, 834 new jobs, and 1,526 downtown residential units.

In addition, 370 downtown projects were completed, and 1,526 downtown residential units were added. More than $209 million was invested by the public/private sector in 2025, and more than 87,023 volunteer hours were recorded.

Since 1993, MMSA has catalyzed more than $7 billion in public and private re-investment in Main Street communities.

MMSA currently has 49 Designated Main Street communities, three Network communities, and
31 Associate members.

Greenville, Mississippi, March 12, 2026 — The Delta Hot Tamale Festival has once again earned national
recognition, being voted the #1 Specialty Food Festival in the United States in the 2026 USA Today 10Best
Readers’ Choice Awards.

The honor comes after a remarkable three-year run in the national poll. The festival claimed first place in 2024, finished second in 2025, and has now returned to the top spot as the 2026 winner, reaffirming its
reputation as one of the country’s most unique culinary celebrations.

Held annually in downtown Greenville, Mississippi, and organized by Main Street Greenville, the Delta Hot Tamale Festival celebrates the rich culinary tradition of Delta-style hot tamales, a food deeply rooted in
the culture and history of the Mississippi Delta.

“This recognition reflects the spirit of Greenville and the Mississippi Delta,” said Daniel Boggs with Main Street Greenville. “The Delta hot tamale is a beloved regional tradition, and this festival has become a way
for our community to share that story with visitors from across the country and around the world.”

“Being recognized by readers across the country is incredibly meaningful,” added Deanne New, also of Main Street Greenville. “The Delta Hot Tamale Festival is built by an entire community of volunteers,
vendors, musicians, and small businesses who work together to showcase the culture and hospitality of the Mississippi Delta. To see Greenville represented at the top of a national list like this is something the whole community can celebrate.”

The USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards also recognized several other standout festivals across the country. Joining the Delta Hot Tamale Festival in the Top 5 Specialty Food Festivals are (2ND place) Maine Whoopie Pie Festival in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine; (3rd place) Picklesburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; (4th place) the Cheese Curd Festival in Ellsworth, Wisconsin; (5th place) the National Buffalo Wing Festival in Buffalo, New York; highlighting a diverse group of beloved regional food celebrations. 

Each year, the Delta Hot Tamale Festival draws more than 25,000 visitors, generating the largest single event economic impact in the Greenville area. Guests travel from across the United States and internationally to experience the authentic flavors, music, and culture that define the Mississippi Delta.

The three-day event kicks off Thursday evening with a Welcome Dinner, followed by Food Truck Friday, featuring live music and a variety of regional food trucks. Saturday serves as the main festival day, filling
downtown Greenville with activity, including a parade, eating contest, cooking contest, a ticketed tamale tasting event, arts and crafts vendors, multiple stages of live music, and, of course, authentic Delta-style hot tamales.

Over the years, the festival has grown into one of the most anticipated annual events in the Mississippi
Delta, celebrating both culinary heritage and the vibrant culture of the region.

Vendor information and the full 2026 music lineup will be announced later this spring.

More information about the festival can be found at www.MainStreetGreenville.com.

Media Contact: Deanne New, marketing@greatergreenville.org.

New Dessert Destination Opens in Downtown Greenville
​Greenville, MS – October 23, 2025 – The downtown Greenville business community celebrated the grand opening and ribbon-cutting of Sinclair’s Sweets Bakery & Café, a new bakery and café owned by Madison Newson, located at 330 Main Street, Downtown Greenville. The ceremony took place Thursday morning and was attended by city council members, friends and family, and local business leaders.

Madison Newson commented, “I’m so excited to open Sinclair’s Sweets in downtown Greenville. This has been a dream of mine, and I’m deeply grateful to everyone who helped me reach this point. I look forward to serving our neighbors and becoming a sweet gathering place in this downtown.”

The bakery and café will be open Tuesday through Saturday, 7 AM to 5 PM, offering a full menu from custom cakes and cupcakes to breakfast and brunch favorites, making it the latest destination for both special-occasion treats and everyday indulgences.

Main Street Greenville CEO Daniel Boggs stated, “We’re proud to have played a part in helping another new small business get open in downtown Greenville. Sinclair’s Sweets brings an inviting new energy to our Main Street corridor, and we believe Madison will thrive here.”

The event highlighted the collaborative spirit of the downtown Greenville business district, and Sinclair’s Sweets is poised to become a valued anchor for local commerce and community gathering.

For more information about Sinclair’s Sweets Bakery & Café, please visit their Facebook page or drop by the shop at 330 Main Street.
Contact:
Madison Newson
Owner, Sinclair’s Sweets Bakery & Café
330 Main Street | Downtown Greenville, MS
Facebook: @SinclairSweetsMS