Royalty
2017 NMGP Royalty: Rebecca Bean and Matthew Clinton
Our Official 2017 Norman Mardi Gras Parade Royalty are... Rebecca Bean and Matthew Clinton for shining a Bright Light downtown through arts, humanities, and community building!
Rebecca was born in Boston, MA, lived in 6 states on the west and east coasts, and the midwest before moving to Oklahoma 12 years ago, then studied English Literature at OU.
She co-founded STASH, a gift shop, in 2010 with a partner and two goals in mind:
-to build a beautiful store exclusively sourcing items that are fair trade, made in the USA, or vintage
-to host events that would entertain and benefit locals and local.
Bean coined the district EDO: East Downtown Norman with the idea to invigorate a neglected block on Main Street— an area that she thinks has the most potential of any spot in Norman to facilitate important conversations, to break down outdated barriers, and contribute to an artistic, vibrant, and inclusive community.
STASH has featured the art and work of hundreds of independent artists and makers from around Oklahoma and across the world including all over the USA, Ecuador, India, Kenya, Japan, Guatemala, Argentina, Italy, Spain, Mexico. Many items have been sourced in person from her travels with her husband Matthew.
In 2015 she started monthly makers and farmers market called “Flower Power Local Market”, and has raised funds for many organizations like CCFI, Norman Animal Welfare, Bella Foundation, Safe Haven, Moore tornado recovery efforts, and Food and Shelter, to name a few.
In addition, she served on the Center City Visioning Committee, and currently serves on Norman Animal Welfare Oversight Committee, and the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee, and volunteers regularly at Norman Animal Welfare socializing and exercising dogs. Rebecca believes our most pressing issue in Norman is ensuring healthy water for our near future.
Matthew was born and raised in Norman before studying Environmental Science at Furman University, Humboldt State University in CA, and at Columbia University Ecology Program at Biosphere 2.
He manages residential and commercial properties in central Norman including Mainsite, Guestroom Records, Artist Studios on Main Street, McNellies, The Crucible foundry, and Syrup among others, and volunteers regularly at Norman Animal Welfare where his calm demeanor helps stressed animals gain confidence and become more adoptable.
"Light It Up!" February 25th! 7-9pm
2016 Stacey Wright and Danielle Brown
2015 Don and Kay Holladay
2014 Jeannie Flannigan and Ed Kearns
2013 Chief Humphrey and his wife
2012 David and Brenda Wheelock
2011 Tom McAuliffe and Nancy McClellan
2010 Senator John Sparks and his wife, Beth
2009 State Rep. Wallace Collins and his wife, Pat
2008
2007
2006
2005 Rebecca Craig and Ryan Peterson
2004 Jeanne Flanigan, Sheree Letts
2003 Elizabeth "Kelly" Green and Boyd VanHorn
2002 Shevaun Williams and Terence Heckert
2001 Andrew and Odette Horton
2000 Queen Ginger Lamar and King Jay
1999
1998
1997 Wallace and Pat Collins
1996 Jennifer Robertson and Tom Renbarger
1995 Valerie Meterie and David Slemmons
1994 Mary and Bob Teeter
