The fall art walk took place on Aug. 29 in downtown Hays. The art walk was put on by The Hays Arts Council.

“We put on four art walks per year,” Executive Director of the Hays Arts Council Brenda Meder said. “Spring is in the end of April, the winter one is on the first Friday of December, and the summer one is held in the middle of June.”

Meder said those are only the major art walks.

“We have four major ones, but once in a while there will be a time where we have something going on one place when there is something going on nearby,” Meder said. “I will usually do my best to advertise that as well.”

The recent fall art walk had a large turnout.

“This one was a big art walk,” Meder said. “We clicked in at 1,400 people and we could add at least 200 to 250 people that didn’t come here. I think it’s very possible that upwards of 1,700 people were here because of the people with other engagements.

“We’re very proud of the amount of people that come. It’s very neat.”

Meder believes art walks are extremely beneficial for the community.

“There are so many good things something like this can add,” Meder said. “Businesses benefit by getting promotions by having people walking around and seeing their business. A lot of these businesses are retail and there is no doubt that people are going somewhere they would never go and buying something they never would have if not for the art walks.

The art walks also help with community engagement. People get out and engage. Art walks attract the most diverse groups of individuals. Individuals are socializing with people they would most likely have never met.

“Lastly, it makes downtown look vibrant and full of potential. It’s a celebration of the arts and a quality of life experience. It allows people to engage in art in a way they may not get the chance to somewhere else.”

Meder said art walks attract people of all ages and varieties.

“We have everything from people with babies to people with canes,” Meder said. “Lots of middle and high schoolers and college students come and I absolutely encourage that. If a group of high school students want to roam around stores just talking and laughing, maybe eating some snacks, then I would encourage it and welcome even more of it.”