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. 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. Photo credit/Jamie Horter
The Main Street design included a campfire setting with logs for additional seating options. Photo credit/Jamie Horter
Photo credit/Jamie Horter
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. Photo credit/Jamie Horter
Youth enjoy roasting marshmallows at the community campfire. Photo credit/Jamie Horter
Photo credit/Jamie Horter