Community members flock to downtown Lawrence for Midsummer Night on Mass

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Lawrence community members showed up in droves Friday afternoon and evening for the second annual Midsummer Night on Mass.

The event replaced the long-standing sidewalk sale for the first time in 2023.

Though many vendors still chose to start early in the day with displays along the sidewalks of Massachusetts Street and beyond, the majority of the event now takes place a little later in the day rather than during the hottest hours.

Squishington’s, a candy store that opened in November at 646 Massachusetts St, promoted its discounted prices and deals for its first Midsummer Night on Mass event Friday.

Lane Rozin/Lawrence Times Squishington’s crew member M Telford poses alongside the candy store’s Midsummer Night on Mass deals, ranging from discounted grab bags and “Looongest Day” mixes of candy.
Lane Rozin/Lawrence Times Local artist Amaiya Reeder showcases her artwork during the Midsummer Night on Mass event. Reeder said that she and her sister, Asha Reeder, began setting up around noon Friday in time for the festivities.
Lane Rozin/Lawrence Times Soon-to-be 6-year-old Zoey Conrad grabs a snow cone from Kona Ice with her grandmother (not pictured) the day before her birthday at the Midsummer Night on Mass event.
Lane Rozin/Lawrence Times Jack Frank, owner of Jack’s Franks, has been running the hot dog cart for 14 years in the Lawrence downtown area. Frank said he was happy to continue the tradition of the stand for the Midsummer Night on Mass event.
Lane Rozin/Lawrence Times Marisa Soto-Ortiz browses through the clothing racks in front of Weaver’s Department Store during the event.
Lane Rozin/Lawrence Times Executive Director of Downtown Lawrence Inc. Andrew Holt (left) chats with Sarah Mathews, the outreach coordinator for the Lawrence Public Library, as she showcases books for event attendees to choose from inside Dottie, the library’s bookmobile.
Lane Rozin/Lawrence Times Libby (left), Lena (right) and Lena’s dog, Penny, work together to sell frozen lemonade at their stand.
Lane Rozin/Lawrence Times Libby (left), Lena (right) and Lena’s dog, Penny, work together to sell frozen lemonade at their stand.
Lane Rozin/Lawrence Times Alix Carson, outdoor shop buyer and manager for Sunflower Outdoor and Bike Shop, browses the clothing racks in front of the business during the Midsummer Night on Mass event.
Lane Rozin/Lawrence Times Steve Leonard, a collaborator with Bill Mach (not pictured) from Textiles on Huntoon, poses alongside his work of self-made rugs, table runners and placemats during the Midsummer Night on Mass event.
Lane Rozin/Lawrence Times Third Planet sales clerk Zach B. Wahweotten has been working at the local gift shop for three years and ran the stand outside the store for the Midsummer Night on Mass event.
Lane Rozin/Lawrence Times Lawrence local Jack Rasmussen enthusiastically tries on a white baseball cap in front of Rally House during the event.
Lane Rozin/Lawrence Times
Lane Rozin/Lawrence Times

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Lane Rozin (he/they), a contributor to The Lawrence Times since January 2024, is a student at the University of Kansas Schools of Journalism and Film. He is a graduate of Pittsburg High School, where he was the multimedia editor for Pitt Media in 2019-21. He is currently the managing editor at the University Daily Kansan and development director at KJHK. See more of his work for the Times here.

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Kaw Valley Almanac for Dec. 2-8, 2024

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The prickly pear cactus reduces its water content, dehydrating to get through the cold and survive even subzero temperatures. Mosses “bloom” in wintertime, using limited moisture and can use the sunlight even through the snow.

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