Events on Mass Street have become a staple in Lawrence, a community that really likes to have a good time.
| 2019 Q2 | story by Tara Trenary | photos by Steven Hertzog
Art Tougeau on Mass Street
Known to many as one of the most beautifully vibrant main streets in America, Lawrence’s “Mass Street” is the heart of the city and not only renowned for its shopping, restaurants and robust arts scene, but also its extensive and eclectic entertainment locale. The city of Lawrence offers big-city amenities with a small-town feel. Its strong sense of community and diverse population, as well as its rich history and varied culture, are key to Downtown Lawrence’s popularity.
Named one of the “best lil’ college towns” by !!Rolling Stone!! and noted as the “most vital music scene between Chicago and Denver” by !!The New York Times!!, Downtown Lawrence has become one of the most popular spots in the Midwest for tourists. Massachusetts and its surrounding streets are constantly abuzz with people, music and art. Day and night, its more than 300 shops, galleries, boutiques, restaurants, cafes, pubs and live-music venues (many of which are locally owned and quite unique) offer a distinctive selection not found anywhere else.
“Something Lawrence is known for: We like to have a party,” says Sally Monahan Zogry, executive director of Downtown Lawrence. “Downtowns like ours are few and far between. Welcoming, exciting, vibrant. Events add to that vibe.”
Caleb Hull, marketing assistant with the City of Lawrence, says anyone can create and hold an event downtown if they follow protocol, starting with submitting a Street Event Permit application. Approval of an application requires the applicant to submit all the necessary items, and it must pass through administrative review with all concerns being addressed.
Each Street Event Permit is reviewed, he says, and approval is determined on a case-by-case basis. Denials would include events that could lead to significant health or safety risks, or if necessary documentation is not received.
These events “keep the downtown area interesting and bring unique bands, groups and artists to Lawrence that we might otherwise not be able to host,” he continues. “I enjoy being able to help bring events to Lawrence and downtown that have become traditions for people to attend and making sure those events happen in a way that people can safely enjoy them.”
From park concerts to parades to performances in the streets, the many lively events held downtown are a huge attraction to locals and visitors alike. More than 60 are held every year, each a unique addition to the already robust energy of Massachusetts Street.
Concerts in the Park, 1863
One of the oldest traditions in Lawrence, put on by one of the oldest municipal bands in America, the Lawrence City Band (LCB) holds a summer concert series on Wednesday evenings from late May until mid-July at William Kelly Bandstand, in historic South Park. Now conducted by Paul Popiel, the first official concert was held on Aug. 20, 1863, the night of Quantrill’s Raid. Several band members were killed, and others went on to perform as members of Union military bands. The band continued to perform in various civic and military capacities up to and including the 20th century, when the weekly concert became the norm.
Associate conductor and chairperson of the board of directors Marion Roberts explains the mission of the LCB from inception has been to “provide entertaining, motivational and educational opportunities for all Lawrence and area citizens, along with high-level entertainment in one of the major landmarks of the beautiful city of Lawrence.”
Free to the public, Roberts says the concert series’ excellent musicians are members of the community who simply want share in one of its longest traditions. The band and a crew from Lawrence Parks & Rec work together to make this event come alive.
Each concert requires its band members to spend many hours preparing, all for a common goal: “The Lawrence City Band is a Lawrence tradition,” Roberts says. “It has maintained the appeal of the 19th century through the 20th and into the 21st century. It is one of the events in our city that brings together our citizens of all ages to perform and enjoy the music in a beautiful, historical setting.”
St. Patrick’s Day Parade: 1988
Every March 17, no matter what day of the week, if you head downtown, you’re likely going to run into a bit of a party. Begun in 1988 by a few Irish friends sitting in a local pub enjoying a pint, a longstanding tradition likely to continue for years and years to come was born. Now 32 years later, the Lawrence St. Patrick’s Day Parade is one of the most popular parades held downtown.
The main event is preceded by several fund-raising events aimed at covering the cost of the parade itself, in addition to sponsors and donations. “We strive to raise more funds than we need for just the parade, because it has become a tradition to choose beneficiaries every year that receive the funds after the parade,” explains Sarajane Scott, St. Patrick’s Day Parade treasurer and board member. “These beneficiaries are local children’s charity groups. They help us put on events, raise money and help on parade day. The goal each year is to increase community participation, raise awareness of our beneficiaries and put on a great community event.”
Local businesses, nonprofits and families also participate as parade entries and compete for the top three places in the “commercial,” “nonprofit” and “family” categories, Scott says. These same groups compete for a “Travelling Trophy” as the “Best Entry” in the parade.
“It is important to have not only a great parade that brings out so many local and regional visitors for a day (and maybe an overnight stay), but also to have our fund-raising events leading up to the parade that encourage participation,” Scott says. “For the last 32 years, the Lawrence St. Patrick’s Day Parade has been a great community event and has raised more than a million dollars for local youth organizations.”
Old Fashioned Christmas Parade
Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade, 1992
An event that draws people from all across the country, Lawrence’s Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade began with 21 horse-drawn vehicles traveling down Massachusetts Street but has grown into a major Midwest event, with close to 100 entries in recent years. Its mission is “to help preserve the history of real ‘horsepower,’ educate and entertain spectators, attract visitors to Lawrence and provide a Christmas tradition for families,” parade director Elaine Vandeventer explains.
“The number and quality of our entries is the result of what we do to assist them and the hospitality provided while they are here,” she continues. “Our reward is a family-oriented event which has become a tradition for Lawrence residents and those who travel here for this parade.”
Originally “The Eldridge Hotel Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade,” the parade grew, sponsors changed, and in 2004, the parade was renamed The Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade. No entry fees for participants or spectator fees make it a popular event for both.
Many entrants travel a significant distance, and they leave their vehicles and horses overnight at the fairgounds, Vandeventer says. “We also provide a buffet dinner and band on Friday night as a thank you for all the work and expense involved for the entries to participate. It’s wonderful to watch as friendships from past years are rekindled, and a few tears are always shed over news of past friends, both two- and four-legged, who are no longer with us.”
The Lawrence Police Department (LPD) provides an escort and traffic control during the event. Kennedy Glass employees construct announcer stands for intersections along the route and put chalk lines to delineate safe boundaries. “Because we have such a dedicated group of people, the little things just get done,” Vandeventer says. “If you’ve been on Massachusetts Street the night before, you will see that all parking spaces are filled even after the bars close as spectators are guaranteeing themselves a front-row seat.”
Through the years, the cost to run the parade has continued to rise. Revenue sources currently include a grant from the city of Lawrence from the TGT (transient guest tax) fund, $200 sponsorships from businesses and individuals in Lawrence, and a corporate sponsor, when there is one.
This historic parade, however, could be in jeopardy. The philosophy and procedure for awarding TGT funds has recently changed, expanding the application process, reserving funds to help new events get established and requiring existing events to become self-sufficient (applicants are now limited to funding for only three consecutive years, leaving The Old-Fashioned ineligible in 2020). Starting in 2020, the parade will be billed for LPD services and must rent necessary barricades, adding about $4,000 to its expenses. And, Vandeventer admits, management is getting “very senior.”
“There are many groups and individuals willing to volunteer their services, but the parade needs a few new people to take the reins and coordinate all the pieces and parts,” she explains.
Art Tougeau
Art Tougeau, 1995
If you are into cars, this event is for you: Art Tougeau, Lawrence’s only art car parade. A grassroots event that started 24 years ago, Art Tougeau is a nonprofit organization run by a handful of volunteers that partners with The Lawrence Arts Center and Busker Fest to put on Final Fridays.
“Art Tougeau celebrates all forms of wheeled creativity,” says Ben Ahlvers, director of exhibitions. “Why not?”
With an art car culture in the U.S. that has been around for decades, this event offers music, buskers, food and Free State beer, along with some intriguingly decorative cars.
“It’s amazing to see so many people having a great time. It’s pure joy,” Ahlvers says. “Kids, adults, it doesn’t matter. What’s unique about this parade … is that it is mostly homegrown, meaning that most of the participants are from this area.”
Funds generated for this event come from sponsorships, T-shirt sales and a bike raffle. Any extra money goes right back into offsetting costs for out-of-town artists’ travel, permits and production costs.
“Lawrence is loaded with creative people who like to have a good time,” Ahlvers says. “The Art Tougeau Parade is a magical place where art and fun collide.”
Earth Day Parade
Earth Day Parade, 2000
On April 22 each year since 1970, people around the world have come together to show their support for protecting the environment. Lawrencians have done so as a community for nearly 20 years.
“Earth Day is a way for the community of Lawrence (and the rest of the planet) to connect over the one thing we all have in common and celebrate it,” explains Brenna Base, 2019 Earth Day Parade coordinator with KU Environs, who says the event is the most important one of the year held by the student-led environment advocacy group at the University of Kansas. “The Earth Day Parade is a way to get people to see some of the local businesses and organizations that support a more sustainable lifestyle in Lawrence. The celebration began as a way to appreciate our shared planet.”
Along with the parade, the Parks & Recreation Department hosts South Park tree identification tours and live music at the Gazebo in South Park. Also in the park are food, vendors and children’s activities, as well as exhibits about waste reduction, recycling, composting, energy conservation, land preservation and wildlife and habitat preservation. In 2018, there were 40 exhibitors and five local food vendors.
“Earth Day is a bit different from our other events, since education is more of a focus than vending. So it is nice to see groups and businesses take a day where they could be selling and do an event for goodwill and to educate the community,” says City of Lawrence’s Hull, who worked with KU Environs to coordinate this year’s event.
Lawrence’s Earth Day Parade brings together different communities, businesses and people who support a sustainable environment in order to advocate for a healthier planet. “Lawrence has historically been a little more progressive than some of its surrounding cities, and this is another showcase of all the efforts the city puts into becoming an eco-friendly city,” Base says. “It’s important for our city to understand and come together over the health of the Earth.”
Whatever the event, bringing people into town is always a good thing for Lawrence. The money spent here goes right back into the community. “The more people who come in from out of town and pay sales tax, that burden is less on us,” Downtown Lawrence’s Zogry explains. Plus, “There’s always something new here. It’s just a great vibe.”
For More Information:
Summer Concert Series: lawrenceks.org/lprd/specialevents/summerconcerts
St. Patrick’s Day Parade: lawrencestpatricksdayparade.com
Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade: www.lawrencechristmasparade.org
Art Tougeau: www.arttougeau.org
Earth Day Parade: lawrenceks.org/earth-day
For a list of events in Downtown Lawrence, visit www.downtownlawrence.com/events .