By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY
Salina Post
The Santa Fe Weekender kicks off Friday, and with all that is happening in downtown Salina, you won't want to miss out!
"It is a big weekend! This weekend is full of free live music and public art with the kickoff of SculptureTour Salina 2023," said Leslie Bishop, Salina Downtown Inc. executive director.
"This weekend is an excellent example of all the hard work we have done to make Downtown Salina the community neighborhood. We are working hard to make Salina Downtown a 'destination' and with all of our wonderful stores and restaurants, it is true, Downtown Salina – no better place to be – this weekend and every day!" Bishop added.
Salina Downtown Inc.'s First Friday Live Entertainment Series will continue from 6-8 p.m. Friday at City Lights Stage, N. Santa Fe Avenue and W. Ash Street, when The Radicles are scheduled to perform.
Peaceful Body Wellness Retreat, 148 S. Santa Fe Avenue, plans to have an artist reception for Noah Flores from 5-7 p.m. Friday. Flores is scheduled to speak about his painting style and inspiration at 6 p.m.
Additionally, Subvert Studio, 116 E. Iron, will have an open studio from 5-8 p.m. Friday.
Saturday
Saturday's events begin with the 2023 SculptureTour Salina Unwrap Party from 11-1 p.m. The 13th annual SculptureTour Salina exhibit throughout downtown Salina will feature 22 new sculptures.
All of the sculptures will be unwrapped at 11 a.m.
The public is invited to pick up walking tour/ballot forms for the SculptureTour Salina exhibit at the following locations.
●One of the silver boxes at the mid-block pedestrian crossings on Santa Fe Avenue in downtown Salina
●One of many of the downtown merchants
●At the Visit Salina Info trailer which will be located in City Lights Stage plaza on Saturday.
After looking at all the new sculptures, participants can vote for their favorite sculptures and then return their ballots to one of the silver boxes or the Visit Salina trailer. You don't have to make a decision immediately, however, as ballots can be submitted through Dec. 31.
Voting is open to persons of all ages and special promotions and contests for voters are planned throughout the year.
The winning sculpture traditionally is purchased by the City of Salina for up to $15,000 and permanently placed in a public location within the city.
At 1 p.m. Saturday at the City Lights Stage, other SculptureTour Salina Juror's Merit Awards, including Best of Show, will be announced.
Then, the Wedel Financial and Salina Downtown Inc.'s Weekender Concert will begin at 2 p.m. at the City Lights Stage. Visual Lies is scheduled to open for the Sunset Sinners.
"We also have Rollin’ Smoke BBQ Food truck joining us for the afternoon," Bishop said.
Additionally, after 5 p.m., the Prickly Pear Grill and Cantina, 123 S. Santa Fe, plans to have live music, Bishop noted.
Sunday
"Sunday, there will be live music during the Prickly Pear Brunch service and the finale is the final performance of the season for the Salina Symphony at 4 p.m. with Passion," Bishop said.
Bonus celebration
This week also is Small Business Appreciation Week and to celebrate, $25 gift cards for downtown businesses are only $20 each on the Salina Downtown Inc. website.
"Our sponsors, First Bank Kansas, The Bank of Tescott, and Iron Insurance Partners help SDI cover the $5 cost," Bishop said.
The cards may be purchased on the Salina Downtown Inc. website through Saturday.