By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Things have changed since the Downtown Hays Development Corporation was organized 22 years ago.
"It was a revitalization program at first and getting businesses down there," said Julie Rider, DHDC executive director. "Now we've got all these businesses, and we've been focusing on how to keep people coming downtown."
Downtown Hays has become well known for several annual events, including the FrostFest Christmas parade, Farm To Fork dinner, Brews on the Bricks, and Wines and Steins.
"These events have been popular, and this year we're going to be planning some more. You'll see the community favorites, and you'll see some new events," Rider said.
The DHDC board of directors has decided to open up the membership to the events planning committee and ask for interested residents to bring their ideas and get involved.
"Currently, our events committee is made up of a handful of our board members. But as our events grow [bigger] and as we add more of them, we'd just love to have more input and fresh ideas," Rider said. "We're looking for new ideas. That's how we go much of what we do today is when a board member went out of town and saw something different."
"If you're someone who has a big heart for downtown and loves to plan events, then joining our committee just might be what your 2024 calendar needs," she said.
"We have a fabulous [volunteer] board of directors. ... We don't want to overtax them with the obligations of the committee work that we do. I know there are people in the community who have some time and would love to do this. We're reaching out to those people and inviting them to join us," Rider said.
Anyone who is interested in volunteering for the events committee should message Rider on the DHDC website or Facebook page.
Rider is the only DHDC staff member. An intern from Fort Hays State University will join the office on Wednesday.