The Madisonville Downtown Merchants Association was organized in 1988 and operated under that name, and the mission was to improve the appearance and vitality of the downtown area. The organization supported community projects, worked to bring increased pride and retail trade to the downtown area business community, gave annual scholarships to graduating high school students, and sponsored the annual Trick or Treat Party and the Saturday on the Square Arts and Crafts event. The organization changed the name of its arts and crafts event and now coordinates the event as part of the Texas Mushroom Festival. In 2010, the name of the organization was also changed to Madisonville Area Revitalization Initiative (MARI). MARI’S current mission includes the improvement and revitalization of the Madisonville area through beautification, heritage preservation, and education, enhancement of cultural awareness, appreciation, and participation. The goal is to help Madisonville to become a community which is an attractive destination for tourists, a place where newcomers desire to relocate, a venue for enjoyment and entertainment for area residents, and an area worthy of the pride of its citizens. Since 1988, this organization has annually sponsored Christmas lights around the square, supported the courthouse lighting project, organized a buyers group for the Madison County Fair, sponsored a trophy during the Madisonville Sidewalk Cattleman’s Association Bar-B-Q cook off, sponsored an annual Trick or Treat Party as a safe alternative to neighborhood trick or treating, coordinated the arts and crafts event during the Madisonville Texas Mushroom Festival in October, and awarded annual scholarships to graduating seniors. Funds for these and all other community service projects are generated by sale of vendor booth spaces at the Arts and Crafts event during the Texas Mushroom Festival in October each year. MARI members include owners and representatives of businesses and service providers, representatives of community service organizations, events, and government entities, as well as individuals from throughout the community. There are no membership dues. Meetings are held monthly on last Tuesday of the month. In addition to reports from the city and county officials, service organizations and invited speakers address topics that impact the community and increase awareness of important issues and upcoming events. Overall Mission It is the purpose of the INITIATIVE to; improve and to revitalize the Madisonville area through beautifications; heritage education and preservation; enhancement of cultural awareness, appreciation, and participation; and support for projects that affect the current well- being or future success of area residents, resulting in an improved quality of life and a community which is an attractive destination for tourists, a place where newcomers desire to relocate, a venue for employment and entertainment for area residents, and an area worthy of the pride of its citizens. Today we have grown to over 200 vendor booths at the Madisonville Texas Mushroom Festival, this is just one of the ways to raise money for this endeavor. The name was changed to encompass the entire Madisonville Area. Now is the time to have your business involved by attending our monthly meeting 12:00 pm, on the last Tuesday of the month, meeting place will be announced monthly. Everyone is welcome to attend, bring new ideas and get involved with the future growth of our community. MARI President, Sharon Phelps