Temperatures may have been high Monday, but the energy and excitement in downtown Emporia was much higher Monday evening.
Students from Emporia State University and Flint Hills Technical College were welcomed back to town in style with the annual Welcome Back Block Party on Commerical Street. Main Street Director Casey Woods says the party is not only a great event for incoming and returning students, it’s also a “critical” event for local businesses.
Among those in attendance Monday evening was ESU President Allison Garrett who says she was so glad to see the event back up and running after being somewhat limited last year due to COVID-19.
New FHTC President Dr. Caron Daugherty was attending her very first Welcome Back Block Party Monday. She says she was very proud to see a large representation of FHTC students on hand.
Throughout the early evening, students had the opportunity to visit local businesses, meet with organizations, socialize, win prizes and even get tested or vaccinated for COVID-19 courtesy of the #Vaxtonormal Campaign at the Granada Theatre.
According to organizers, a total of 51 COVID-19 tests and 16 vaccinations were administered throughout the course of the event.
Photos by Tagan Trahoon/KVOE News
