Lynden named best Main Street in America

It may be small, but Lynden’s Front Street is the best Main Street in America.

Soon it will get $25,000 to make it even better.

Independent We Stand announced that Lynden won the grand prize of its America’s Main Streets contest. According to its website mainstreetcontest.com, Lynden received the most votes among the finalists for the prize, despite being one of the smallest communities in the running. More than 280,000 votes were cast in the contest.

A tremendous social media campaign, as well as plenty of work by merchants getting the word out, played a role in the win, said Ken Stap, president of Lynden’s Downtown Business Association. He noted that Lynden received support from the rest of Whatcom County as well as other parts of the U.S.

As for how the money will be spent, Stap said they have three main goals: improving the directional signs to the downtown area, upgrading the beautification program — particularly the tractor wagon plant watering system — and parking.

This story was originally published June 6, 2016 at 3:13 PM with the headline "Lynden named best Main Street in America."