The Los Alamos MainStreet contingent from left, Ryn Hermann, Suzette Fox, Kelly Stewart and Philo Shelton at the national awards presentation May 23 in Milwaukee. Courtesy photo

Los Alamos MainStreet Executive Director Suzette Fox holds her national award. Courtesy photo

No need to travel to Disneyland or watch fictional Mayberry on “The Andy Griffith” show to experience Main Street USA. Just visit downtown Los Alamos!

Los Alamos MainStreet was selected as a winner of the 2016 Great American Main Street Awards, chosen by the National Main Street Center, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Los Alamos MainStreet in New Mexico was picked as “One to Watch,” for being a neighborhood making progress revitalizing their downtown district.

“The 2016 GAMSA winners have succeeded in making their towns an exciting place to live, work, play and visit through implementing our historic preservation-based methodology for downtown revitalization,” said National Main Street Center President/CEO Patrice Frey in a statement. “In each locality, the local Main Street organization has collaborated with residents, business owners and other local partners to revitalize their district by promoting the assets that makes that community special.”

The awards were presented May 23 at the center’s 2016 Main Street Now Conference in Milwaukee, Wisc.

“I am so honored and delighted to receive the national designation of ‘One To Watch’,” said Los Alamos MainStreet Executive Director Suzette Fox. “I would like to thank the National MainStreet Center, New Mexico MainStreet, Los Alamos County and the Los Alamos Commerce & Development Corporation for their support and encouragement. This award would not have been possible without the help of the Los Alamos MainStreet Board, the Los Alamos Historical Society and countless people in our community. ”

A national jury composed of former award winners, community development professionals, and government representatives involved in historic preservation and community revitalization chose winners. Criteria include “strength of the Main Street in creating an exciting place to live, work, play and visit; commitment to historic preservation; implementation of model partnerships, and demonstrated success” of the center’s approach to revitalizing downtown corridors, the center said.

New Mexico MainStreet is a program of the New Mexico Economic Development Department and serves 27 MainStreet affiliates, eight Arts and Cultural districts, 10 Frontier Communities and six Historic Theater Initiatives across the state.

Los Alamos MainStreet is a program of Los Alamos Commerce & Development Corporation. Los Alamos MainStreet plans community events such as ScienceFest, Trick or Treat on MainStreet and Winterfest.