VIDEO BY KERISA BROWN
PHOTOS BY ALEX JUAREZ
STORY BY RYLEE BRETTON
On Tuesday, August 27, FHSU, NCK Tech, and Hays Hair Academy students followed the marching band, Tiger Debs, and cheerleaders to main street for “March 2 Main.” This event was put together by a committee that has representatives from both the city and each college located in Hays.
To begin the event, a meal was served by the local restaurant, “The Press.” The meal was served by NCK culinary arts students and faculty members. Along with the meal, the United Methodist Church provided bottled water and the FHSU Athletics Program provided coolers and ice. In a matter of twenty-four minutes, five hundred meals were served.
Every student received a goodie bag. These bags contained various coupons from downtown businesses and sponsors. The bags were assembled and distributed by different volunteers.
Delicious treats were handed out as well. The Hays Police Department handed out ice cream sandwiches. Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland, which is Hays’s local council, handed out free boxes of Girl Scout cookies.
To add some action to the event, the FHSU Center for Student Involvement brought outdoor games. These games included giant checkers, giant Connect Four, giant Jenga, and cornhole. This provided an opportunity for students to get connected with different students from various colleges in town. They were also a huge hit! Students were playing them until the event came to a close.
During the event, Miami Over Moon, based out of Wichita, KS, took the stage multiple times to play covers of their favorite tunes and even songs they have produced.
Throughout the night, $4,000 in prizes was given away. Prizes ranged from gift cards, to baskets full of goodies, to even a flat-screen TV. These prizes were made possible by Downtown businesses and event sponsors.
“It was exciting to see the students’ thrilled faces and hear them squeal when we called their ticket raffle number. Especially when we gave out ‘big prizes’ like iPads, a Fitbit, and an Apple watch,” said Sara Bloom, Downtown Hays executive director. “On September 13, DHDC will draw far an additional $1,000 in prizes, courtesy of downtown businesses, available to students who take the initiative to explore Downtown Hays in the next two weeks using the discount cards found in their swag bags.”
Along with preparation, there was a lot of advertising that happened prior to the event.
“FHSU and NCK-Tech helped get university-wide emails sent out and information was also included in FHSU’s ‘Tiger Daily’ email newsletter. Over one hundred flyers were distributed on all three campuses and in Downtown businesses. 1,200 Hays dining flyers were distributed to FHSU residence halls. Over five hundred postcards were also included in NCK-Tech and Hays Hair Academy student welcome bags. FHSU volunteers also chalked the quad. DHCD also promoted the event on social media,” Bloom said.
Overall, this event was a great way of welcoming students, who chose a Hays college, in Hays, America, to get to explore the Downtown area and make great memories with friends.