Highlights of 2024: A Year of Growth and Achievement
New Businesses Thriving Downtown
This year, downtown welcomed an incredible array of new businesses, adding energy and diversity to our community:
- Highwind Brewing Co. brought a fresh take on craft beer and delicious foods.
- Frost and Flour delighted us with their artisanal ice cream and sweet treats.
- Simply 115 offered a cozy stop for all things previously loved and owned.
- Zetta’s became a whimsical destination for fun gifts and apparel.
- 9th Street Plant Shop added luscious greenery to our lives.
- Diamond Claws raised the bar for nail artistry.
- EB’s Fade Factory provided top-notch grooming services and a chic barbershop.
- Activated Arts gave our community creatives a home to shine in.
- Rea of Sunshine, formerly Muddy Creek, rebranded with vibrant energy.
We also welcomed food trucks like Filos Foods, adding delicious new options for locals and visitors.
Milestone Achievements
This year, Junction City Main Street reached several incredible milestones:
- We were awarded the T-Mobile Hometown Grant, one of only 25 recipients out of 683 applicants nationwide! This funding will activate our alleyways, transforming them into communal gathering spaces where people can enjoy art and human connection.
- The Gate to Gate Rejuvenate project was launched as a result of the “Coming Together” community forum with Peter Kageyama. This initiative is bringing the city, county, USD475, and concerned citizens together to revitalize Grant Avenue like never before.
- On December 7th, during Hometown Christmas, the west side of 7th Street between Washington and Jefferson was officially proclaimed the Arts District by County Commissioner Ronna Larson. A big thanks to the R2B4 Foundation for sponsoring the lights that will adorn this area!
- Holiday Light Fundraising is well underway, with plans to illuminate downtown year-round in a variety of colors to celebrate every season and holiday.
Celebrating Our History Through Art
We now have nine of the ten JC Statues installed across the district! Special thanks to the talented artists, sponsors, donors, and contributors for making this possible. The unveiling of the statue on the corner of 6th and Franklin was accompanied by a downtown Cattle Drive, paying homage to our city’s rich history.
Transitions and New Faces
This year, we said a bittersweet goodbye to our amazing Executive Director, Michaela Joyce, as she embarked on a new journey with Downtown Bastrop in Texas. Michaela’s leadership left a lasting legacy, and she will always hold a special place in our hearts.
In her place, we were thrilled to welcome Jordan McCann, formerly the Director of Member Relations at the Junction City Chamber of Commerce. Jordan’s dedication and vision have already made a wonderful impact on Main Street!
Additionally, we brought on Makena Krause as our new Events Coordinator. With her creativity and passion for bringing people together, Makena has hit the ground running and made our events full of fun.
Memorable Moments: Events That Brought Downtown to Life
This year’s events were bigger and better than ever, with record-breaking attendance:
- Freedom Fest, Oktoberfest, and Hometown Christmas brought thousands downtown, filling the streets with energy and excitement.
- Our inaugural Boos and Brews Haunted Bar Crawl was a sold-out success, quickly becoming a community favorite.
Thank you to all the sponsors and volunteers who made these events possible, including Flint Hills Moving, Frontier Spirits, Outdoor Unlimited, and Jade White, Realtor with Homefront Real Estate Group. Your support not only created unforgettable memories but also funded our beautiful holiday lights.
A Thriving Main Street Market
This year, the Main Street Market flourished with an incredible 59 vendors offering a diverse array of goods, from handmade crafts and fresh produce to unique treasures and delicious treats. The market has become a staple of our community, showcasing local talent and fostering connections every week. Thank you to all the vendors and visitors who made this season so successful—we can’t wait to see you back next year!
A Special Thank You
A heartfelt thank you to Key Office Products of Junction City, our go-to stop for all our printing needs, and to the countless volunteers, businesses, and community members who made this year so special.
Looking Forward to 2025
As we turn the page to a new year, we’re excited for what’s ahead: new projects, bigger events, and continued revitalization of our downtown. Together, we’ll keep building a vibrant, thriving Junction City Main Street that we can all be proud of.
Here’s to 2025 and all the possibilities it holds!
