DOVER, Del. (May 6, 2009) – Downtown Delaware, a resource center within the Delaware Economic Development Office, announces May is Main Street Month. Delaware downtowns, such as Milton, Delaware City, Newark and Rehoboth plan to host a variety of events during the month-long celebration.

“May offers an opportunity to focus on all that Delaware’s downtowns have to offer: diverse cultures, a variety of goods and services, cultural activities, historic assets, specialty shops, art galleries and fun and fantastic eateries,” said Diane Laird, Downtown Delaware State Coordinator. “We will also feature a variety of speakers to promote an understanding of the Main Street program of downtown revitalization.”

From informational gatherings, presentations and programs to outdoor festivities, May is the perfect month to discover – or rediscover – the beauty of Delaware’s downtowns. Training and informational session topics include:

• May 11th Downtown Delaware Awards Luncheon in honor of Delaware’s Main Street Champions
• May 19th (Dover) Dan Bond, Ladybug Shop owner in downtown Milford shares his successful Click and Mortar techniques of Internet Retailing
• May 28th (Dover and Milton) Jane Seaton, State Coordinator for Main Street Iowa presents, Small Town Successes
• May 28th (Milton) Join an informational gathering to learn the basics of the Main Street ‘Approach’
• May 28th (Dover) Kathy LaPlante, Program Officer for the National Trust Main Street
  Center and Fay Jacobs, Executive Director, Rehoboth Beach Main Street present, Main
  Street Basic Training: Organization & Promotions

If training isn’t your thing, you can choose to enjoy activities like self-guided walking tours of the Delaware City’s National Historic District, purchase produce from the Rehoboth Beach Farmers' Market every Tuesday from May 5 to October 13, watch Downtown Newark’s Memorial Parade on May 17th and visit Milton for the 6th Annual Horseshoe Crab and Shorebird Festival beginning May 22nd.

For additional information on events happening throughout Main Street Month and beyond, visit
http://mainstreet.visitdelaware.com/.

For more information on Downtown Delaware, contact Diane Laird at 302-672-6834 or via
email Diane.Laird@state.de.us.

About Downtown Delaware
Downtown Delaware’s mission is to provide Delaware’s historic downtowns, communities, and small businesses with tools to revitalize their commercial districts, increase entrepreneurial opportunity, and enhance quality of place.