The City of Arkansas City will celebrate its 150th anniversary (sesquicentennial) starting Wednesday night with a kickoff event in downtown Ark City.
According to a news release from the City, the 100 block of South Summit Street will be blocked off to through traffic from 2 to 10 p.m. Wednesday between Central and Fifth avenues. (The avenues will remain open to east-west traffic.)
A variety of entertainment will be available in the street, including a cornhole tournament and picnic tables. Music will be provided by Aztec Event Services and there will be food available for attendees.
From 5 to 8 p.m., Burford Theatre Arts will be host to its monthly Cowley Indoor Market inside the Burford, located at 118 S. Summit St.
The Arkansas City Historic Preservation Board will have a table set up and will be distributing freshly printed copies of its brand-new, completely redesigned Downtown Historic District walking tour guide.
An interactive tour will be available during this time in the 100 and 200 blocks of South Summit Street, with actors playing the roles of key historic figures from Arkansas City’s 150-year history.
All of these events are free and open to the public.
Also, Tacolalah volunteers are invited to come to the Arkansas City Area Chamber of Commerce office, located at 106 S. Summit St., between 5 and 8 p.m. to pick up their T-shirts and Taco Tokens.
“This kickoff event would not have been possible without the hard work and planning of Visit Ark City Director Pam Crain, as well as many other key volunteers,” said Andrew Lawson, the City’s public information officer and special projects coordinator, who is helping to oversee the City’s 150th activities. “Pam really stepped up and put together a great kickoff night, not to mention helping to plan four additional days jam-packed with exciting activities at Wilson Park!
“I also want to thank Sandy Randel, Arty Hicks, Foss Farrar, Anita Judd-Jenkins and everyone else who is working to put on the interactive tour, as well as the Historic Preservation Board for its research.”
Activities for the rest of this special week will be announced in future news releases. Stay tuned for more information about the Community Band concert, Tacolalah and the community worship service!
For more information about this week’s lineup of events or Visit Ark City in general, please call Visit Ark City Director Pam Crain at (620) 442-0230 or email her at visit@arkcity.org. For City information, Andrew Lawson can be contacted at (620) 441-4415 or by email at alawson@arkansascityks.gov.
