Welcome to Main Street

Main Street spaces function as important meeting points for locals and visitors to small town communities. A town’s Main Street also symbolizes the state of a rural community and identity of its inhabitants through the nature of its design. Intentional Main Street design can help highlight the spirit of a community and provide new ways for individuals to interact together in contemporary rural times.

Welcome to Main Street was a collaborative community project to create a welcoming and playful Main Street atmosphere for the Lyons stop on Hear Nebraska’s Good Living Tour, a free summer music concert series across the state of Nebraska.

Looking west, a co-created Main Street transformation with Lyons citizens.

Looking west, a co-created Main Street transformation with Lyons citizens. Photo credit/Jamie Horter

 

Students help set tables along Main Street with native flowers. Tables covered with paper and crayons invite visitors to sit and doodle.

Students help set tables along Main Street with native flowers. Tables covered with paper and crayons invite visitors to sit and doodle. Photo credit/Jamie Horter

 

The Main Street design included a campfire setting with logs for additional seating options.

The Main Street design included a campfire setting with logs for additional seating options. Photo credit/Jamie Horter

 

View of decorated tables along Main Street.

Photo credit/Jamie Horter

Community members listen to one of the Nebraska bands playing on Lyons Main Street, made possible by Hear Nebraska.

Community members listen to one of the Nebraska bands playing on Lyons Main Street, made possible by Hear Nebraska. Photo credit/Jamie Horter

 

Utilizing a "hippie van" owned by Lyons resident Bill Hedges, community members hosted a bake sale of brownies. By the end of the night, they were sold out.

Utilizing a “hippie van” owned by Lyons resident Bill Hedges, community members hosted a bake sale of brownies. By the end of the night, they were sold out. Photo credit/Jamie Horter

 

Youth enjoy roasting marshmallows at the community campfire.

Youth enjoy roasting marshmallows at the community campfire. Photo credit/Jamie Horter

 

Night scene of Main Street overlooking the music event

Photo credit/Jamie Horter