coming home to the courthouse square.
Seward County Commissioners on April 1 approved plans for the market to once again line the north side of the square. Vendors usually offer seasonal produce, baked goods, jellies, plants, artwork, crafts and more.
Last year, the market was moved to the Seward County Fairgrounds because of the Highway 15 construction work.
Market coordinator Carol Albrecht told the commissioners there were some perks to having the market at the fairgrounds – easy parking, extra space for walkers among them – but people missed it being on the square each Wednesday night and Saturday morning.
Vendors are asked to sign an insurance waiver for the event, she said.
“It is a great community engagement activity,” Commissioner Raegan Hain said. “There are so many people who come.”
She endorsed the return to the square, noting that as a busy parent, she may not remember the market in time to get to another location, but when she drives by the square and sees the booths, she can take time to stop.
Albrecht, who has been involved with the market for 40 years, said area businesses realize how much traffic the market brings to the downtown area on those days.
The market will begin on May 17 and run through Oct. 29 this year. The commissioners authorized use of the county-owned power sources on the square, but Albrecht will have to get city authorization to allow vendors to access other electrical outlets there.
Also at the April 1 meeting, the commissioners approved use of the courthouse lawn for a Seward County Gives organization “lunch on the lawn” on April 29, as part of the annual online philanthropic program benefitting area organizations. A rain date of April 30 was approved in the action.
In other action, the commissioners:
• pened bids for the C80 Bridge deck replacement on Branched Oak East of 266th Road to be awarded on April 15.
• Conducted a public hearing for and then approved a permit for American Tower and Verizon to upgrade and/or modify the wireless tower in Township 9, which had been endorsed by the county planning commission.
• Awarded the bid for mowing abandoned cemeteries to Buresh Lawn Care.
• Conducted the quarterly inspection of the Seward County Detention Center.
