Laramie International Flavor Festival: Celebrating Culture through Flavor and Story

Laramie Main Street Alliance (LMSA) is pleased to announce the 2nd Annual Laramie International Flavor Festival at participating restaurants and venues throughout downtown Laramie April 4-8, 2023.

This year’s festival will feature menu items inspired by stories. All Laramie community members, including international students and scholars, are encouraged to submit up to 250 Words of Flavor describing how food connects them to their heritage. There is no minimum word count.

Top story submissions, selected by an eight-member festival jury, will be chosen to receive gift certificates to the event. Restaurants will feature internationally inspired specials from flavors extracted from these stories. To submit a story, visit: https://laramiemainstreet.org/international-flavor-festival , or scan the QR code. Stories must be submitted by February 12 to qualify for the contest.

“Everybody has a story. Often, it’s foods that connect us to our heritage, memories, and traditions. What better place to start a conversation about heritage than at the table? Whether it’s schnitzel, frybread, dumplings, paella, biscotti, or rice and beans, the idea is to connect the Laramie community through the sharing of these stories and celebration of heritage,” says Laramie International Flavor Festival Co-Chair Ali Grossman. 

“The Laramie International Flavor Festival brings so many opportunities for discovery and for making new connections across cultures and we’re thrilled to partner with the Laramie Main Street Alliance to highlight the rich diversity of our community.”

— Dr. Isadora A. Helfgott, VP for UW Global Engagement,

Laramie Main Street Alliance partners with University of Wyoming International Students and Scholars to encourage the participation of the international community.

“What could be more exciting than discovering new foods and, along with them, new cultures and maybe even some new neighbors?” says Dr. Isadora A. Helfgott, VP for UW Global Engagement, “The Laramie International Flavor Festival brings so many opportunities for discovery and for making new connections across cultures and we’re thrilled to partner with the Laramie Main Street Alliance to highlight the rich diversity of our community.”

“We had a great time last year, collaborating with a Pierette Planche, to offer a French menu.” says Kerri Smith, co-owner of Alibi Wood Fire Pizzeria.  “Pierrette taught us to make crepes and to say "c’est bon" at the completion, which means "it's good". “ 

In last year’s festival, 20 participating downtown restaurants featured menu items with flavors inspired by over 80 international community members from over 40 nations. These specials appeared on their menus throughout the week. 

“We feel that this event has such a positive impact on our local community, including our chefs and restaurants,” says Kerri Smith. “Alibi was given the opportunity to participate in the Taste of Colorado in Vail this year, but it overlaps with the Laramie International Flavor Festival so we’ve made the decision to stay here, support Main Street, and represent new cultures and flavors this year.”

Festival Co-chair Deb Ross adds, “The 2023 festival will offer even more opportunities to meet our neighbors and share culture through stories, flavors, and demonstrations.“ The festival will conclude with an international showcase and community conversations, sponsored by the University of Wyoming Center for Global Studies.

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ABOUT LARAMIE MAIN STREET ALLIANCE:

Laramie Main Street Alliance strives to preserve historic Downtown Laramie while enhancing its economic and social vitality.

Laramie Main Street Alliance is a 501 (c)(3) Nonprofit Organization, operating as part of the State of Wyoming's “Wyoming Main Street” program under the Wyoming Business Council, guided by the principles of the National Main Street Program. More information can be found at laramiemainstreet.org. 

STORY EXAMPLES:

In a few paragraphs (no more than 250 words and no minimum), describe the culinary dish or flavors that evoke the strongest memories of your cultural heritage or home country. 

"I have a favorite family recipe that I bake every year for the holidays. My memory of these special cookies come from the kitchen of my Uncle Frank’s mom who immigrated from Italy. She kept cookie jars all around the house and I would pick these chocolate anise cookies out from the assortments. My sister remembers a treasure trunk shaped box with cookies. The cookies are a moist chocolate, with chocolate chips and flavored with anise then frosted with a white anise icing. These cookies have become legendary in my family as many cousins also have the recipe which has been passed down through generations, it’s fun to have a recipe that connects us."

— Deb Ross, Retired UW Pastry Chef, Laramie, WY

I grew up in the 60's in Adelaide, South Australia. My Mum Ruth now of 92 years, cooked a leg of lamb roast every Saturday night. The aroma of sizzling lamb with plugs of inserted garlic and abundant rosemary filled the house along with oven heat, as my 8 brothers and sisters and I filtered in from their various weekend activities, tennis, football, swimming, athletics, picnicking, and surf lifesaving. Fresh rosemary and mint were handpicked from a garden bed right next to the back fly screen door. This garden placement was old British custom believed to help keep the flies out of the kitchen and house. The kids all helped in some way with the meal, peeling the veggies, peas, carrots and potatoes, setting the table, washing up and wiping (no dishwashers), making and serving a pot of black tea along with dessert. All eleven of us, 9 kids and Mum and Dad sat down together at a table resembling the Last Supper. No television, radio on, all together, sharing the stories of the day. That leg of lamb fed us all with leftovers for our school sandwiches the next week. Magic!

- Paul Taylor, Storyteller, Laramie, WY

Laramie Main Street Alliance 2022 Caretaker of the Year

Laramie Main Street Alliance serves as the voice for Downtown Laramie. We assist the businesses, residents and consumers who believe the heart of our great community lies in a vibrant downtown. 

We are a high energy, passionate group of volunteers working to make a difference in our community.

Our 2022 Downtown Caretaker of the Year is someone who has worn many hats within our organization. She is an entrepreneur, a small business owner, a former employee, and now a board member. Jessica Brauer is being recognized for her dedication to preserving historic downtown Laramie while enhancing its economic and social vitality.

Jessica currently serves as our Vice Chair and infuses our organization with her business coaching, storytelling, marketing, and strategic planning skills. From working to strengthen our internal policies and procedures, update our fundraising strategies, to encouraging staff to find a work-life-balance, her holistic perspective of our work is one of the reasons we were awarded a Great American Main Street in 2022. 

We are proud to recognize Jessica who goes above and beyond for not only Laramie Main Street, but the community as a whole. A huge thank you to Jess, who truly takes care of our downtown!

Laramie Love Letters

SHARE SOMETHING YOU LOVE ABOUT DOWNTOWN LARAMIE Whether it’s a business, a service, an activity, a scene, or a memory, there’s so much to love about historic downtown Laramie, winner of the 2022 Great American Main Street award! 

We want your original words and images–ideally, a combination of the two–and the more creative, the better! 

• Show your love on social media: You can post your creative expression as a digital image to social media (if your account is public) with the hashtag #LaramieLoveLetters 

• Show your love on paper: Your creative Laramie Love Letter artwork can be as small as a postcard or as large as a 36x36 inch painting. 

  Deliver or mail yours to us at:  Laramie Main Street Alliance, 115 E. Ivinson Ave., Laramie, WY 82070 

DEADLINES: 

Feb. 28, 2023 - but submissions that come in by Feb. 6 are eligible to appear in the Laramie Boomerang (Feb 11 edition)! 

NEED INSPIRATION OR ART SUPPLIES?

Come join us on Thursday, Feb 8 any time from 4:30 to 6:30pm at The Collective - Center for the Healing Arts (100 S. 2nd St. in downtown Laramie), which has generously offered us the use of their space for an art-creation session! Or pick up a blank postcard at a downtown business (while supplies last) and get creating!

TERMS & CONDITIONS: 

All images and words must be your original creation and cannot violate copyright. Submission of your work attests to this fact and automatically permits the Laramie Main Street Alliance (LMSA) to share, print, duplicate, exhibit, perform, and otherwise reuse your creative work for the purposes of promoting downtown Laramie, including raising funds for LMSA. Please put your name and email address on the back of your work so we can reach you if you win a prize. If K-8th grade please note your grade. Please no self-promotions from businesses or organizations. 

Jessica's Main Street Conference Experience

Richmond’s Main Street America conference delivered reminders of the power of volunteers organized around one central mission, openness to collaboration, and strategic “scrappy” solutions for the universal woes that impact historic downtowns. To connect with like-minded leaders was refreshing, and to wear the Great American Main Street title among peers was charming. 

“I respect Main Street America’s community, from their acclaimed, exiting President and CEO Patrice Frey to the volunteers who pour beer and collect trash for the chili cook-offs, parades, and festivals. I believe the work is essential. It supports a quality of life for the populace, giving a safe place to connect, experience, and engage in conversation. ”

I respect Main Street America's community, from their acclaimed, exiting President and CEO Patrice Frey to the volunteers who pour beer and collect trash for the chili cook-offs, parades, and festivals. I believe the work is essential. It supports a quality of life for the populace, giving a safe place to connect, experience, and engage in conversation. 

The urban landscape of Richmond offered bold reminders of the troubling issues our communities are facing in the wake of the pandemic, but more importantly, as a result of a dark history of inequality, bigotry, and ruthless pursuit of status by way of wealth. Frankly, I found it challenging to focus on the Four Points of Main Street, having seen the reminders of a bigger picture. 

In collecting my thoughts on what I took home from Virginia, many of my experiences from past conferences returned.

• In 2015, I attended my first Main Street America conference in Atlanta. While exploring Grant Park, a predominantly white-collar and white neighborhood near the city center, I met a woman in her early thirties. She shared she was on disability, dealing with chronic illness, and providing for her extended family solely on the income made driving Uber–the only job she could hold with her circumstances. 

• In 2016, Wyoming’s Main Streeters ogled the award-winning Milwaukee Public Market in the heart of the city’s Historic Third Ward. The revitalized warehouse district, previously called “The Bloody Third” for its rowdy reputation, was developed on the backs of immigrant labor. It now homes Milwaukee’s most affluent and educated in spacious lofts, modern offices, and luxury food, art, and retail experiences.

• In 2019, a deceased homeless man sat upright on a public bench around the corner from the high-end conference venue in Seattle’s Business District. Throngs of corporate city walkers passed by the familiar-to-them scene without a flinch. In 2020, over 11,700 individuals experienced homelessness on a single night in Seattle’s King County. The average home price is $854,748.

Along with the learning experience, each conference has presented eye-opening invitations to dig further into the unpolished stories behind pretty places. Within each award-winning community project is another lesser told story that isn’t emboldened by glossy marketing materials. The tour buses don’t often pause between inspired details to present the ugly truths of what came before or exists despite the accolades. 

Virginia’s conference presenters delved into discussions of Equity and Inclusion, housing development, and impactful data collection. Then, attendees were released to explore the city to find blocks of boarded-up businesses and restaurants bursting at the seams–their understaffed dining rooms still in recovery from the impacts of COVID-19. Polished neighborhoods sprawled around luxury hotels, tucked just blocks away from areas stricken by poverty, homelessness, unemployment, and health crisis. On the same street that I purchased a $10 green juice and gluten-free, vegan scone, I watched a man offer a cold Coke to the homeless man crouched with his belongings on the curb.

“I’m proud of the work, but, I don’t want to work this hard to support the people of privilege anymore.”

I took notes on fundraising strategy, data collecting, and advocating for the program's needs, yet, I haven’t considered them since I returned home. Instead, I’ve repeatedly played a conversation I had with my partner.

“I’m proud of the work,” I said. “But, I don’t want to work this hard to support the people of privilege anymore.”

In ruminating, I’ve arrived at:

1. Work on Main Street is fluid.

Hearing the widespread conversation around the power of shared narrative at the conference allowed me to see the value in the storytelling work I’ve done for Main Street over the years and presented an opportunity for pivoting. As a staff member and committee volunteer, I have, up until now, gathered the stories, told the stories, and created experiences to have conversations around the stories. Now, as an Executive Board member, I believe it’s time for me to step back from that work and, instead, challenge the stories.

Why are there gaps in diversity?

Why are there repeated challenges?

Where can we identify missteps? 

Where are the opportunities to engage in tough conversation?

What are we hearing and not acting on? 

The value of this internal shift is not exclusive to me. No different than the infamous “seven-year itch” of lovers, the relationship between Main Street and its people is susceptible to stagnant work and unfulfilling tasks. Assessing the history of a volunteer’s position within the organization and strategically setting challenging and novel goals ahead not only supports the retention of volunteers but also better assures the organization and the individual are mutually reaping the benefit of the relationship. 

2. The efficacy of the work requires focus and rest. 

Main Street’s success depends on volunteer labor, and dividing that load is the only way to conquer it. Currently, too many individuals are managing too many responsibilities for the organization. This predicament invites us to set individual, self-honoring boundaries and shed commitments, but additionally, it begs conversation on volunteer workload policies and capacity. The organization has been lucky to move forward despite volunteer shortages without significant issues. However, relying on a small collection of individuals for an extensive calendar of events and campaigns leaves us vulnerable to catastrophe in the event of unexpectedly losing a key volunteer. I’m reluctant to expect “luck” to carry the organization as it continues to expand, and this needs to be approached with less conversation and more action.

3. The work was done with privilege for the privileged.

When I came to Main Street, downtown beautification projects and collaborative street events were enough to inspire the work. A rehabbed Christmas wreath brought me to Main Street’s office for the first time. However, the degree to which these projects sustain my work has faded as my understanding of the power of place has grown.

No different than Atlanta, Milwaukee, Seattle, and beyond, Laramie is home to significant populations burdened by the inaccessibility of security and safety in work, healthcare, homes, and support. No different than these conference destinations, Laramie is prone to shift the collective gaze away from these realities. Instead, we must turn toward them.

We had the honor of being celebrated for our work to bolster a lively community–the result of a board and volunteer base that is predominantly white, non-disabled, and of a career and lifestyle that allows for a non-profit’s mid-day meetings, volunteer tasks, and email chains. Now, on the tail of recognizing our capabilities as a team, I believe it’s time to explore actionable solutions that allow Downtown Laramie to be a thriving community for the humans who do not look like or experience the world like us. 

“Richmond offered a long-overdue reminder of why it’s important to step away from the community that is our familiar home and inquire, “Now what?” as we use our GAMSA as a page break, not a bookend, in doing whatever important work is next.”

Travel presents novel experiences and reframed snapshots of what it means to be a human in a community. So often, as Main Streeters, we’re unable to see the forest for the trees as we bury ourselves in Laramie’s properties, events, and fundraising goals. Richmond offered a long-overdue reminder of why it’s important to step away from the community that is our familiar home and inquire, “Now what?” as we use our GAMSA as a page break, not a bookend, in doing whatever important work is next.

Favorite Accomplishments 2022

Great American Main Street Award Winner!

In May, we were recognized by National Main Street with a Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA). This highly competitive award celebrated our dedication to growing our local economy, preserving our unique history and building a strong sense of community. This award is a community accomplishment thanks to the hard work and many years of dedication from the Laramie Main Street staff, board, volunteers, and businesses. Learn more about our GAMSA win here: https://laramiemainstreet.org/great-american-main-street-award

Best Practices and Main Street Conference

Also in May a group of 10 Laramie Main Street staff, board members, and volunteers traveled to Virginia to participate in the Wyoming Main Street Best Practices tour (visiting 3 Virginia Main Street Communities to get inspiration and network) and National Main Street’s Main Street Now conference (a national conference of Main Street leaders). We came back with so many ideas and inspiration - thank you to Blue FCU for sponsoring our training! Read more about our volunteer’s experiences at https://laramiemainstreet.org/news

Finished the Apartments at the Empress

In September we finished the 3rd floor apartments in the Empress Building! Built in 2018 as a mixed use, infill project in the heart of downtown Laramie, the space was formerly home to the historic Empress, then Fox Theater, which was demolished due to neglect in 2009. Now the 3rd floor is fully utilized with three  brand new 1,000 square foot apartments. Learn more at https://laramiemainstreet.org/theempress

The completion of this building is a testimony to all our current and former board members who had a vision to "fill the hole". We've come a long way since this building came down in 2009. Adding residential units to this space has given Laramie Main Street the hands-on experience to be a collaborator in solving Laramie's housing shortage.  

Laradise Lane 

This summer we partnered with the City and Laramie Public Art Coalition to create a new and improved outdoor seating area downtown. Volunteers pulled weeds, removed trash and painted walls with left over paint from mural projects. We pooled funds with the City to have the lot leveled and gravel added then outlined the roofs with lights! The Laramie Vision Clinic commissioned local artist, Favian Hernandez to create a mural on their blank wall. We topped it off by adding oversized games for the summer. It's wonderful to see the outdoor spaces downtown grow and evolve. 

International Flavor Festival

In the spring we hosted our first International Flavor Fest - a restaurant crawl featuring international inspired dishes. We paired international community members with restaurants who created a special dish for that week inspired by that country. We had 20 downtown restaurants participate who infused a menu item with flavors inspired by over 80 international community members and students from over 40 nations. Save the date for the 2023 International Flavor festival April 4- 8 Learn more at https://laramiemainstreet.org/international-flavor-festival

Wyo Theater Fundraising

We had fun this year fundraising for the historic WYO theater. From the Devine Eats dinner & music fundraiser at the Depot, to WYO Gives Day in July, the Nu2u street party in Sept., to a spooky burlesque show for Halloween and custom WYO popcorn earrings - we made a dent in our fundraising goal. We covered the costs to maintain the building and set aside funds to match grants we will write in 2023. While we’ve still got a L O N G  W A Y to go before the building can be re opened, we are deeply grateful to our Team Wyo volunteers and donors for getting us this far. Learn more at https://laramiemainstreet.org/thewyo

Small Business Saturday

We gave away bags with mystery prizes for this year’s small business Saturday and we were amazed by the turn out - we were out of prizes by 9:30 am. And we love seeing everyone using their shop Laramie bags downtown while they support our amazing small businesses. Plus the shopsmalllaramie.com website had 7,678 views this season!  Keep up the great work supporting our local businesses - all year and during the holiday season.

Sponsorships

We were thrilled to see an outpouring of support from sponsors this year. We expanded our sponsorship opportunities and the Laramie community really stepped up. Sponsorships help us cover the cost of our downtown events, training and other critical expenses. If you are interested in sponsoring for 2023 contact Taylor at sponsorshop@laramiemainstreet.org Thank you!

Downtown Trees

Early this summer we were able to replace 15 of the trees downtown. Our past trees had suffered some harsh weather and some even outgrew their space in the sidewalk. This left us with 30 trees needing to be replaced. Thanks to Laramie Beautification, Randy the City Arborist, and Tiger Tree we were able to remove stumps and plant 15 new trees better suited for life on the sidewalk. We have plans to continue planting trees this summer.

New Businesses

Every year our Downtown economic ecosystem grows, shifts and changes. This year we saw 10 new businesses open. 


• Bella Blu Home Goods & Gifts - 308 S. 3rd Street


• Bejo Dua Sushi & Ramen - 213 Grand Avenue


• Blue Mountain Bookstore - 208 Grand Avenue


• Digital Doctors - 
306 S 3rd St

• Wild West Creations - 207 E Grand Avenue


• Fernando's Mexican Grill - 110 Ivinson Avenue


• The Collective Center for Healing Arts - 100 S 2nd St


• Link Innovative Cycling Solutions- 263 N 3rd St


• The Zone - 116 Grand Ave

• WYO LifeStim - 121 Grand Ave Suite 202

As grassroots, community driven economic developers, it brings us great joy to assist new entrepreneurs in establishing their business downtown! Plus we have a new intern, Kim Jessen, who is dedicated to business outreach! So she has been visiting with businesses both brand new or established and will continue in 2023.

Shantel's Main Street Conference Experience

I recently had the privilege of attending my second National Main Street Conference.  It was a great chance to see another part of the country and reconnect with people from Wyoming and across the nation.  This trip served well to remind me of why I love our downtown, community of Laramie and the state of Wyoming. It also reinforced for me 3 things that I believe in for our community.  They revolve around community service, need for housing, and need for small business support.

“This trip served well to remind me of why I love our downtown, community of Laramie and the state of Wyoming. It also reinforced for me 3 things that I believe in for our community. They revolve around community service, need for housing, and need for small business support.”

Spending time with others from around the state for 2 days learning new things and sharing was a highlight.  It is always fun to learn what other programs are doing and how they are doing them.  This allows for fresh new ideas to be shared and tweaked to fit the needs of downtown Laramie. I also had the opportunity to get to know others from our own community a little better and see them serve, learn, and be excited about existing and new ideas and opportunities for our community.  Those that know me know that I believe wholeheartedly in serving my community and that everyone else also has a place in serving. We can go and gather lots of great ideas to help but without able bodies to help carry out the vision we can only accomplish so much.

This trip was a much-needed revitalization for me for my love of our downtown along with a stark reminder that there are so many more great things we could be doing if only we had more people to help us do the work required. Not everyone is called to serve downtown but I do believe there is somewhere for each and every person in our community to be able to serve others for the benefit of the community as a whole.

I was also able to attend some sessions to learn more about housing issues across the nation.  I know this is a big topic for Laramie right now so as crazy as it may seem, it was nice to be reminded that we are not alone.  National Main Street is working on some great data for our downtowns to use to understand where downtowns fit into the housing crisis.  I am excited to see how Laramie continues to tackle this issue and specifically how Laramie Main Street can work with property owners in our downtown to increase the number of housing units available in our downtown.  We have so many opportunities and now is prime time to figure out how to capitalize on them.

Lastly, I was reenergized about some ideas for supporting the businesses and budding entrepreneurs in our community that had been topics at the first National Main Street conference I attended a few years ago.  One of these programs helps use public funding for businesses to start or expand.  It allows ideas to come forward and community members to show up and choose which idea they want to start at a low cost of $5 per person.  A business can use this to pitch an expansion, a patio upgrade, a new offering, or anything else they can think of that they think the community would support.  Businesses are offered some guidance and coaching throughout the process and then the community gets to be involved in helping with funding and encouragement.  New businesses can also pitch themselves in the same vein to garner community support and funding. 

Another great idea for our community is a Possibilities Tour.  This takes vacant spaces in our district and invites the community to check out the spaces and envision a future for those spaces.  This can help existing or prospective property owners to get ideas for the spaces as well as understand more about things the community desires for Laramie spaces.

As a small business owner myself I know that it can sometimes seem like we are alone in this journey.  I know that Laramie Main Street tries to support or businesses in our downtown in many ways. I also know that all my needs and desires can’t be met without some of my own time and resources being added to the cause. It was nice to be able to visit with other business owners from across the state and the nation to help understand how their main street programs have helped them and what they are doing to help these integral parts of our community.  

I personally was reminded of my need to help figure out more ways to help the small business owners in our downtown help themselves and help the community.  I have committed again to pursing ways to finish our wayfinding signage and entrance signs into our beautiful downtown. I also hope to be able to do more business to business outreach for Laramie Main Street as well. 

“Remember to find your place to serve in the community and to shop local!”

Ultimately, as our Great American Main Street Award win show, downtown Laramie is doing great things for our community.  And I am energized about that.  But I also know that this was just a stepping stone on the way to many other great things to come with support from community member involvement, helping to shrink the housing shortage, and continuing to support our local small business owners.  Remember to find your place to serve in the community and to shop local!

Chaz's Main Street Conference Experience

“The main take away I have from the 2022 National Main Street Conference, was that no matter the size or location of the organization, local programs are facing the exact same issues we are here in Laramie. Volunteer burnout, disorganized boards and overworked EDs were a common thread in the round table discussions I took part in. It really made me take a step back, breathe and refocus on the ways I can effect change in our district.”

The main take away I have from the 2022 National Main Street Conference, was that no matter the size or location of the organization, local programs are facing the exact same issues we are here in Laramie.  Volunteer burnout, disorganized boards and overworked EDs were a common thread in the round table discussions I took part in.  It really made me take a step back, breathe and refocus on the ways I can effect change in our district.  This strengthened my commitment to our downtown and gave me a clearer picture on what success as a board member would look like for me.  I have many ideas on how we can help propel the board forward as we deepen our “institutional” knowledge and strengthen the relationships throughout the organization and community as a whole. 

I was pleased to see the topic of housing as a featured topic at the conference as well.  As the Laramie community faces housing challenges, the timing has never been better to encourage re-investment into the districts grossly underutilized 2nd floor spaces.  The pre-development work needed on some of these buildings can be daunting in and of itself, which is where our organization can really step up.  With the experience the board and ED have gained through the development of the 3rd floor of the Empress building, I believe the organization is well positioned to aid property owners who lack the time and expertise to even know where to begin such an undertaking.  

Additionally, we have the good fortune of having a Downtown Development Authority (DDA) that, through collaborative efforts, could aid in establishing minimum property condition standards and perhaps even work toward passage and implementation of ordinances that combat blight and dilapidation within the district.  Traditionally, the capabilities of the DDA have only been marginally leveraged, there is much more this group could do to promote the vitality of the physical assets in our district.  As an appointed member of that group, I intend to focus on education of appointees (including myself) on the breadth of what the DDA embodies, develop and deploy a work plan and what revenue generating activities would best fit the district. 

“To work with such an amazing and passionate group of community members has been truly remarkable. ”

I sincerely appreciate the opportunity I was given to attend the conference, which has already begun to bear the fruit of innovation.  To work with such an amazing and passionate group of community members has been truly remarkable. 

Ali's Main Street Conference Takeaways

Our week began by touring Main Street towns of Virginia. Together with WY leaders, we savored historic preservation, renovation, economic revitalization, public art, local flavors, and hospitality. And guess what? We arrived at the National Main Street conference to discover that Laramie was named one of the 3 of the greatest (out of ~1000 Main Streets) in the USA!!! We returned to Laramie with newly formed connectedness and inspiration. Here are my takeaways.

Main Street 2022 Takeaways

Tailgate Around Town!

Fall is in the air and homecoming is finally here! This homecoming weekend, the University of Wyoming Cowboys face off against the Utah State Aggies for the Bridger’s Battle rivalry. The festivities kick off in the morning with the Homecoming Parade down Grand Avenue into Downtown Laramie. The parade will begin at Cowboy Coffee on the corner of 14th Street and Grand Avenue traveling down Grand Avenue to 2nd Street and back up Ivinson Avenue to 9th Street. However, due to TV scheduling, the Cowboys game is not until 7:45 PM. Wondering what to do between the parade and kickoff? Spend a few hours tailgating around Laramie with our itinerary below:

Shopping

Shop for Wyoming gear downtown – Buy your brown & gold gear and support local owners and makers. Check out the Knothole, Miss Etta’s, Works of Wyoming, Pinebeach Inc., Bent & Rusty & more!

Hit the Breweries

Enjoy downtown’s 5 breweries during open container hours. 11 to 9 pm.

Mural Tour

Take your brews on a self guided mural walking tour within the downtown open container district.

Foodie Tour

Visit Guy Fieri-Approved Restaurants on the Foodie Tour, or tempt your sweet tooth at the Chocolate Cellar, Sugar Mouse and Big Dipper!

Must-See Museums and Activities

Check out Laramie’s free and family friendly local attractions before kickoff.

Additional Fall Events

Check out Visit Laramie’s events calendar for even more activities. The first ever Fall Fest at the Albany County Fairgrounds will be a highlight, with a chili cookoff, pie baking contest, cornhole tournament, and costume contest! For the youngsters, enjoy the family-friendly Albany County Library tailgate with music, face painting, barbecue, and more! If that’s not enough, get started on the 2022 Halloween GhostChase!

Taylor's Main Street Conference Experience

“ In forming deeper relationships, I feel a much better sense of community and support, and it excites me to know that I am working with such a great group of  people! ”

I want to start off by giving a shoutout and HUGE thank you to Blue Federal Credit Union! This was my first ever time attending a conference with Laramie Main Street as  a volunteer, and WOW I had so many takeaways from both conferences that I was able to attend all thanks to Blue. The Wyoming Best practices was an amazing opportunity to  connect with and grow my relationship with other Laramie Main Street Alliance volunteers and staff, but also Main Streeters from all over the State. In forming deeper relationships, I feel a much better sense of community and support, and it excites me to know that I am working with such a great group of  people! One of the keys to any successful venture is teamwork, and I feel so energized about the team that we have here in Laramie. 

The National Conference also offered up a lot of networking opportunities, and new ideas that I am excited to bring to our community and Main Street program. As the Sponsor Chair I really wanted to focus on any workshops that talked about fundraising, and then ideas about what to do with those funds once they are raised. One of my favorite ideas came from the Chattanooga Main Street team that presented their Chattanooga Express Card program.  This program was very similar to Cowboy Cash in that it was a way to provide an option for a gift certificate to Downtown businesses as a whole. This is great because it opens up options for employers who like to offer gift cards as an employee incentive to support local businesses rather than corporations like Starbucks. Another exciting feature of their program was the utilization of sponsorship and grant money to incentivize the purchase of the Chattanooga Express Cards. They offered deals like an extra ten dollars when you purchase a fifty dollar gift card, or twenty-five when you purchased a one hundred dollar gift card. On top of that they offered those deals at strategic times, with a 90 day limit on the “bonus cash” to help spur spending in the local shops. Lastly, their program was digital, this allowed them to issue reminders, reissue lost cards, and place that 90-day limit on cards. Our Cowboy Cash program is really great, but I would love to integrate some of these practices into our program moving forward.

That is going to be one of my main focuses for 2023, but to name a few others that I would like to assist moving forward would be:

• Better communication and collaboration between other non-profit organizations in Laramie

  • How can we assist each other achieve common goals

• A template for the yearly plan that can be easily updated, and shared with the public!

• Brainstorming more community events that are welcoming and fun for all

“During the conference one of the speakers said, “If you are not moving forward, you might be moving backward”, and that resonated with me. No matter the organization or project, if you are not moving forward and growing in your ideas, methods and plans, you may just be setting yourself back.”

During the conference one of the speakers said, “If you are not moving forward, you might be moving backward”, and that resonated with me. No matter the organization or project, if  you are not moving forward and growing in your ideas, methods and plans, you may just be setting yourself back. In our fast-paced, always changing world it is essential to always find ways to improve and keep moving forward! While I have a few specific goals, my overall mantra for this year is going to be that quote, and it will be something that I will ask myself as I decide on where to invest my time and energy to best serve the Laramie Main Street program and the Laramie community. 

Thank you again Blue Federal Credit Union for affording me the opportunity to build relationships within the organization and come back with knowledge, and a reignited passion to move Laramie Main Street Alliance forward!