I don’t live in Kansas, but the giant parking structure party they’re throwing in July might inspire me to visit. According to kansas.com, the Sutton Place parking garage at William and Market will be the site of a multi-level shindig called LevelUp on July 21 from 2-11 pm.
Every floor will feature a different theme – from live musicians, makers, yard games, local shopping, furnished “lounges,” craft beer tastings, restaurants serving free samples and more.
The event is funded by a $5,000 grant from the Wichita Community Foundation, and parking stalls will be rented out to businesses. It’s not meant to be a tradeshow, but vendors will pay for spots to show their goods and services or sell wares. They will be encouraged to rethink their regular displays for more engaging and creative activities. The top floor will be reserved for dancing.
The celebration commemorates two notable events: the city’s 148th birthday and the completion of a major overhaul of the parking garage itself. The organizers’ intention is to take a utilitarian structure and fill it with people, food music and good experiences.
This sounds like my kind of party. The Wichita Community Foundation has given out other Up the ambition grants. One was used to create a sculpture that floated on the Arkansas River. Another funded a series of art shows.
Parking garage parties and pop-up galleries are good uses for grant money. I’m impressed with the way Kansas approaches creating a community.
Read the article here.
