Clermont Main Street can add “award-wining” to its list of accolades.

The honor comes after the organization received three awards and was named host of the 2027 Annual Preservation on Main Street Conference during the Secretary of State’s Dinner on July 23.

Held as part of the Annual Preservation on Main Street Conference, the dinner recognizes Main Street programs from across Florida for achievements in downtown revitalization, historic preservation and community engagement.

Clermont Main Street was honored in three categories for projects ranging from its website rebranding to an event celebrating America’s upcoming 250th anniversary and an effort to rediscover Clermont’s history as a filming location.

The organization received the Thomas Paine Telling Your Story Award for its website rebranding, completed in partnership with Roots Creative Co. The award recognizes excellence in communicating a Main Street program’s identity, mission and impact.

The rebranding was the result of a yearlong effort to create a modern, cohesive digital presence that better tells the story of downtown Clermont.

Clermont Main Street also received the Celebrating Main Street Award for its America250 Flag Walk, a community event honoring the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary. The event brought residents together downtown for a patriotic celebration and is part of a series of America250 programming still to come.

The third honor, the Four Point Patriot Award, recognized Clermont on Screen, a project that grew out of a historic structures survey conducted in partnership with Dalton Studio, LLC.

The survey revealed that more than 50 films had been shot in Clermont over the years, uncovering a piece of local industry that had largely faded from public memory.

Clermont Main Street turned that discovery into Clermont on Screen, a dedicated website where residents and visitors can explore the city’s film legacy.

“These awards belong to our entire downtown community. Every one of them reflects work our team has poured ourselves into over the past year, from reimagining how we tell our story online to creating new ways for residents to connect with downtown Clermont. To be recognized three times in one night and then be trusted to host our peers from across the state in 2027, is an incredible honor for this organization.” says Natalie Kahler, executive director of Clermont Main Street.

The recognition did not end with the three awards, however.

Clermont Main Street was also announced as the host organization for the 2027 Annual Preservation on Main Street Conference, which will bring Main Street leaders, preservationists and downtown advocates from across Florida to Clermont.

“On behalf of the board, I couldn’t be prouder of what this team has accomplished,” says Patrick Bianchi, president of the Board of Directors for Clermont Main Street. “These awards are a direct reflection of the vision and dedication that Natalie and her team bring to downtown Clermont every single day, and hosting the 2027 conference gives us the chance to show the rest of Florida what makes our Main Street program special.”

Clermont Main Street will spend the coming months preparing for the 2027 conference while continuing its downtown programs.

Clermont Main Street is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit driven by downtown Clermont business owners, local entrepreneurs and residents. Guided by the Four-Point Approach to revitalization that focuses on Organization, Promotion, Design and Economic Vitality, the organization works to support a thriving, connected and resilient downtown.

Photos: Clermont Main Street