Once again the city of Emporia showed out in full force to ring in a new school year and welcome back the students of Emporia State University and Flint Hills Technical College Monday evening.
The annual Welcome Back Block Party took over the 800 and 900 blocks of Commercial Street with music, entertainment and celebration. Jessica Buccholz of Emporia Main Street says its always important for the community to show its excitement for the return of students, but even more so to make a “good first impression” on first-year students.
City Commissioner Danny Giefer says the start of the school year brings a different atmosphere to Emporia.
ESU freshman Kaydence Repphan says she can’t think of any other community that opens its arms to students the way Emporia does.
While the block party fell on the first day of classes for Emporia State University, classes have been in session for over a week now at Flint Hills Technical College. FHTC President Caron Daugherty was in attendance Monday and says the event is a great opportunity to enhance community relations.
Buccholz tells KVOE News this may have been the largest block party in history with right around 80 local businesses and organizations taking part.
PHOTOS BY TAGAN TRAHOON/KVOE NEWS
