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By SASHA JOHNS / Community Columnist

On Saturday, June 27, the Columbiana Main Street organization hosted a creative fundraiser in order to build up its ability to effectively support small businesses in its small town.

Diane Moore coordinated a fun event called Table Creations, hosted at the Shops of Columbiana on Main Street. Women and businesses from town styled themed tablescapes throughout the building.

Tickets were $5, and the guests were encouraged to “tip the tables” as a way to vote for their favorite creations.

Fourteen tables were designed from tables for two to full family gathering size. The themes included Christmas, Farmhouse, Halloween, Bread and Wine, Fancy Flamingos, and Fourth of July Picnic to name just a few.

The event also adhered to social distancing recommendations by placing the displays at a safe distance apart from each other to keep crowds from forming, and by requiring masks for guests. Masks were even provided for those who needed them.

Columbiana Main Street is part of the larger organizations, Main Street Alabama, and Main Street America. The idea of the Main Street organizations is to preserve business and history in communities across America. They do this using a four-point approach: design, economic restructuring, promotion, and organization.

Most of the focus of Columbiana Main Street is concentrated on the historic aspects of Main Street itself, but it ultimately benefits the entire downtown area. “When you have a vibrant downtown it strengthens the core of the entire community,” Moore said. “It takes everyone pulling together to accomplish this goal.”

The table that won is a perfect example of that last statement. Eleven-year-old Daniley Connell, granddaughter of Main Street business owner Lee Anne Langley, had the winning table Saturday for the second year in a row. Her Halloween-themed table was the guest favorite gathering over sixty dollars in tips.

Main Street Columbiana has won awards for other events such as Music on Main, which had to be postponed this year due to the COVID-19 crisis. They’ve also partnered with businesses like Kyle Mims’ Edward Jones branch to make his annual Touch a Truck event a glowing success each year.

While there is a board of directors that steer the Main Street organization overall, they are always looking for new members and community volunteers to serve on committees and help organize events. “Helping with Main Street is a great way to get plugged into your community and meet your neighbors,” said Moore.