The community party, scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. in Old Town Square, celebrates Wichita’s fourth AAC honor (1961, 1993, 1999 and 2009) and toasts the city’s first Entertainment District event. The Entertainment District, a result of a state law passed during the 2009 Kansas legislative session, allows outdoor drinking on a public property at permitted events.

Brett Harris of B-98 Radio will emcee the event. Carrie Nation & The Speakeasy, a bluegrass band, and Mid Life Crisis, a classic rock cover band, will perform. Food and drinks from local restaurants and vendors will be available, for purchase. Partners and sponsors of the AAC competition will be recognized. Warren Theatres is providing a limited number of free movie passes and Hiland Dairy will provide limited amount of free ice cream.

Scheduled to attend are Mayor Carl Brewer, Wichita City Council members and representatives from the partnering organizations. Elected officials from across the state have been invited.

The City of Wichita won its fourth AAC honor during the National Civic League competition on June 19 in Tampa, where it competed against 28 other finalist cities. The honor recognizes cities that demonstrate great strides in civic engagement and collaborative solutions to city challenges. Wichita’s projects included 1) Opportunity Drive, a multipurpose learning and recreation campus; 2) Visioneering Wichita, a regional planning initiative and 3) Mennonite Housing Rehabilitation Services, which aims to build affordable homes for low-income families.

Entertainment District

The July 31 celebration will also provide a demonstration of newly-authorized Entertainment Districts. The Kansas Legislature this year approved legislation requested by the Wichita City Council and Mayor Brewer, creating the opportunity for local communities to designate specific locations where alcoholic beverages can be consumed on public streets, sidewalks and rights-of-way.

On July 14, the City Council approved the All-America City Street Party permit, designating the Old Town area of Mead Street from 2nd Street to Moore Street and Moore Street from 2nd Street to Mead. Under the legislation, local governments have the authority to adopt rules and regulations that reflect the community’s needs. The City of Wichita adopted its enabling ordinances last month.

During the July 31 party, Mayor Brewer will recognize local legislators.

“As the 50th largest city in the United States, we are in a competition with other urban communities such as Oklahoma City, Kansas City and Fort Worth, all of whom actively seek to create a social environment that is attractive to a young, progressive demographic,” Mayor Brewer testified before a legislative committee. “We firmly believe that proper regulation, licensing and oversight will ensure a responsible use of this opportunity. Large urban environments such as Wichita require the option of self-regulation to meet the needs and expectations of our population.”

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