By NATE KING
JC Post
The Junction City Main Street Market's inaugural kick off event is this Saturday, May 6, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in downtown Junction City. I sat down for a conversation with Michaela Joyce, executive director for the Junction City Main Street program, to find out what types of vendors will be showcased at the market and to hear about the other ways the Junction City Main Street program is fostering connection and town pride within the Junction City community.
The market
Joyce said the market is made possible thanks to the support of the Junction City community, and both the Kauffman Heartland Challenge grant and the Kansas Office of Rural Prosperity.
"The Kauffman Heartland challenge grant is a way to bring out a lot of the home based businesses we have in the area," Joyce said. "We have a lot of military spouses that have home based businesses, because it's easier to take those and travel if they have to move in a couple years. But we wanted to have an opportunity for them to expand a little bit and start their journey as entrepreneurs."
Since Joyce is the only full-time paid employee for Junction City Main Street, someone needed to be brought on to help manage the weekly market.
"The Kansas Office of Rural prosperity essentially pays our market manager, Autumn McGuffey, she'll be there every single Saturday,” Joyce said. "The market is going to be partially a farmers market, so produce, bread, eggs, and then we are also having a makers market which will bring local entrepreneurs, crafters, artists, designers and much more to our downtown scene."
Joyce also said that each market event will feature a different theme and "micro event" tied into the overall weekend.
"Our first theme on May 6 is tied to our taste of culture," Joyce said. "We wanted to highlight some of the cultural diversity we have here and along with that comes food diversity. Alongside the market, there will be some food vendors set up representing food from all over the all over the world.
Read: Junction City International Food tour held May 6th
Joyce said market goers, community members, or those simply stopping by Junction City can purchase a food tour passport on the Junction City Main Street website. Passports are $10/per adult and $5/per child 12 and under up to the day of the event. The food tour will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 6.
Joyce said there will be a limited number of passports available on the day of and will increase to $15/per adult and $10/per child 12 and under.
JC statue project
It was the 164th birthday of Junction City, Kansas, and just a few days before Valentine’s Day. Community members, business owners and artisans gathered at the corner of Eighth and Washington Street for the unveiling of the newest JC statue titled: The Origin Story of Junction City.
"We received a $10,000 grant to place 10 statues throughout our downtown. And each of those statues is supposed to represent some kind of different theme related to Junction City," Joyce said. "The statue located at the corner of Eighth and Washington Street was placed in front of central bank, because it is one of the longest standing, same business running in downtown. So it's been central bank since that building was built."
There are four additional JC statues in Junction City. They can be found in Heritage Park, Veterans; 7th and Washington Agriculture and Ranching; 8th and Jefferson, Cultural Diversity (not yet permanently installed pending possible parking lot renovation); 9th and Washington, “9th Street District.”
The other 4 JC statues can be found in Heritage Park, “Veterans“; 7th and Washington “Agriculture and Ranching“; 8th and Jefferson, “Cultural Diversity” (not yet permanently installed pending possible parking lot renovation); 9th and Washington, “9th Street District.”