The city of McKinney announced Sept. 10 that Historic Downtown McKinney received a Cultural District Designation from the Texas Commission on the Arts. This designation acknowledges the experiences and cultural assets found in downtown McKinney, including the many events held downtown, such as Oktoberfest, Arts in Bloom and concerts at the McKinney Performing Arts Center. “A Cultural District Designation is a badge of honor,” Amy Rosenthal, director of Main Street and the McKinney Performing Arts Center, said in a news release from the city. “The designation acknowledges downtown McKinney’s diversity in culture, arts, venues and people.” As a designated cultural district, McKinney can apply for special grants. The designation also enhances the district’s ability to preserve history in McKinney, according to the release. “We look forward to building on this designation and harnessing the power of cultural resources to stimulate economic development and community revitalization,” Rosenthal said in the release. Downtown McKinney is one of 40 designated cultural districts in Texas, according to the release.