Open Streets ICT at Nomar

It’s a party in the streets in north Wichita on May 4, and everyone in Wichita and the surrounding area is invited. For the third year, Open Streets ICT is celebrating Wichita’s Mexican and Latino culture with music, food, local artisans and more in the Nomar neighborhood in north Wichita. 

“One thing that I love about this event is it’s really an invitation to Wichita as a whole,” said Idalia Loya, director of community impact at Empower. “Open Streets ICT makes certain pockets of communities really vibrant, and really makes it walkable, makes it fun, opens up a busy street that we don’t walk down often.” 

Immerse Yourself in a Different Culture

Open Streets ICT is an event where the City of Wichita shuts down a stretch of public roadways to fill the streets with music, vendors and food, and encourages people to get outside, walk, run or ride bikes through the area. The Nomar neighborhood is known for its rich Mexican and Latino culture. It’s one of three neighborhoods highlighted this year, along with the original downtown location along Douglas and the Wichita State University neighborhood. Open Streets ICT at Nomar takes place May 4 from noon to 4 p.m. along a stretch of 21st Street from Woodland Park to the Nomar Market at Broadway. 

“Being able to immerse yourself in different cultures is something people really love to do, and it’s a way of doing it right here in your backyard at Open Streets,” Loya said. 

The free event is an opportunity for people to visit an area of the city they wouldn’t normally visit, providing those neighborhoods with the chance to showcase their cultures, hidden shops and restaurants, art and more. The Nomar event is planned alongside Empower, an organization dedicated to continuous development and improvement of the Nomar neighborhood and the Latino population in Wichita. 

“For a long time, people didn’t come to [the north side of Wichita] unless they needed to or to get a sweet treat or a snack — but there’s so much here in the north end,” Loya said. “[Open Streets ICT] takes away this fear or this ‘I don’t belong there’ feeling; it opens the door to what is in this community.” 

Nomar Commercial Kitchens

Recently, Empower added a new commercial kitchen area, including three full kitchens, three prep kitchens, one baking kitchen, one demonstration kitchen and onsite dry and cold storage. The kitchens are a space for people in the community to start or grow a business, test an idea, launch a catering service, host a food demonstration and more. The kitchens will be open during Open Streets ICT and transformed into a sweet shop where people can find sweets and treats from local vendors. 

“We have this rich culture and commerce that’s getting built here, and with our commercial kitchen, we see so many businesses starting up and people are proud of their products and proud of where they’re from.” Loya said. 

‘Open Streets ICT makes certain pockets of communities really vibrant, and really makes it walkable, makes it fun, opens up a busy street that we don’t walk down often.’ — Idalia Loya, Empower

Aside from their involvement with the Open Streets ICT event, Empower organizes other events throughout the year, including their Nomar Fiesta in October. The group also focuses on developing small businesses, community education programs, expanding the workforce and more. 

“We’re really in all of the buckets and we have an amazing team here just thinking of creative and innovative ways to help this community thrive,” Loya said. “I think our mission here is to really revitalize this Nomar district, it’s about this community, it’s not just about Open Streets, it’s about the Nomar district and making sure it’s a safe place.”

If you’re interested in learning more about Empower, their resources and other upcoming events, visit their website at empowernorthend.org or reach them by phone at 316.351.8612.