Florida Secretary of State, Cord Byrd, and Florida Main Street honors Vilano Beach Main Street with 3 prestigious awards at the 39th annual Florida Main Street and Preservation Awards Ceremony.
Laurel Berntsen, Vilano Beach Main Street Board Member, created, planned, organized and continues to manage the Vilano Artisan Market on a volunteer basis. The Artisan Market is an opportunity to promote and showcase Vilano Beach Main Street and its local offerings.
Laurel saw a void in community activities and proposed a reliable, walkable event on the sidewalks along Vilano Road. The Artisan Market occurs every third Saturday of the month from 4 to 8 pm. Community artists, local food vendors and occasionally, local musicians are showcased.
The market began with 20+ vendors and now can reach 60+ vendors depending on weather. Each month the market now gets 30,000 hits on Google and Laurel receives over 200 emails. Laurel volunteers 50 hours each month planning, coordinating and implementing the Artisan Market. All financial gains go back to the community.
“Managing the Market has become a passion. I love mingling with vendors, neighbors and visitors on a personal basis and seeing beachgoers be surprised and delighted as they head to their cars and hotel rooms at the end of their day.” – Laurel Berntsen
Beyond the market, she is involved with the success of other VBMS events including the Vibe-Rations Music Festival, Vilano Holiday Village, Kingfishfish Tournament and the annual 5k and 10k run.
What is Florida Main Street?
Florida Main Street is a state-wide program dedicated to revitalizing historic downtowns and commercial districts through a comprehensive, community-driven approach. By focusing on economic development, historic preservation, and improving the quality of life, the program encourages local stakeholders to work together to create vibrant, sustainable communities. The “Four Points” approach—organization, promotion, design, and economic vitality—guides these efforts, ensuring a balanced and effective strategy. Through collaboration and innovation, Florida Main Street helps breathe new life into neighborhoods, fostering pride and a sense of place among residents and visitors alike.