It was the 164th birthday of Junction City, Kansas, and just a few days before Valentine’s Day that a crowd gathered in front of Central National Bank, at the corner of 8th and Washington Streets, for the unveiling of JC statue #5 in honor of Ed J. and Eunice Rolfs.  The theme for this statue is “Origin of Junction City” and is quite befitting of both the birthday celebration and Valentine’s Day as these JC Statues are our Love Notes.  According to Peter Kageyama, author of For the Love of Cities, he explains that a love note is a small gesture with an outsized impact on the way we feel and have an immense value to communities.   Attendees enjoyed birthday cake following the unveiling, baked and designed by Edisha Coleman, owner of The Cake Artist JC.

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.”

During the birthday party, Michaela Joyce, Executive Director for Junction City Main Street, announced the opening of nominations for the first ever Love Downtown Awards, from February 9 through February 27, 2023.  The awards will be given to Newbie on the Block, Downtown Legend, and Biggest Heart for Downtown.  To nominate someone, please go to junctioncitymainstreet.org.  The winners will be announced at Main Street IMPACT on March 7, at Six on Sixth, bar side, from 5:00-6:30 PM.

Junction City Main Street would like to thank Central National Bank and the Rolfs family for sponsoring the base; Kansas Creative Arts Institute and National Endowment for the Arts for the support of our muralist, Chase Hunter; K-State Salina Composite Club and Professor Doug Zerr for the fabrication of the JC statues; Richard Carr for the masonry; Tracy with C’s Construction for the cement work and statue installation; and the City of Junction City for helping with behind the scene’s management.

Save The Date for the unveiling of JC statue #6 on April 22, in the parking lot area next to Bella’s.  The time is yet to be determined.