Main Street announces downtown champion

Every year the Downtown Morganton Main Street Department recognizes an individual as a Main Street Champion. The champion is someone who supports and advocates for the growth and success of Downtown Morganton.

Julia Mode, a long-time downtown advocate was selected as this year’s Main Street Champion. She has been serving for 12 years on the Main Street Advisory Board and also serves on the Downtown Development Association Board. She also sits on the Morganton Cultural Arts Commission, was an active participant in the Downtown Morganton Master Plan and has previously served on the Burke Arts Council Board. She was recognized at the North Carolina Main Street Conference in March of 2024.

The North Carolina Main Street Center says the NC Main Street Champion designation honors those persons who have made extraordinary contributions to their downtown.

Mode said, “I am here. I am in Morganton. If you are going to be somewhere you need to be involved in making it as good as it can be and to make it better.”

When asked why she joined the board 12 years ago, she said she loves seeing beautiful ideas actually come to fruition.

Mode said, “You drive by and see the sculptures or you see the murals or the courthouse renovations, all things where you get to see the end product and know that you had a hand in it.”

Cultural and Creative Development Director Sharon Jablonski said, “It says a lot for our community that we can continue to find a Main Street Champion each year.”

Main Street Manager Makenzie Hamrick said, “In the three months that I have been here, what I have noticed about Julia is that, not only is she an active board member, but she is a positive board member. Even with a problem she never says we should give up.”