These past few months, through celebration, and even sometimes challenge, Marshall has been an example of what makes a great community.

In June, the city sponsored, for the second year, the celebration of Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States after the Civil War. The date and meaning of Juneteenth are relatively new to some of us since it has only been a federal and state holiday since 2021 and 2023 respectively. Even so, it was an opportunity to bring people together with food and music in hopes of creating a new community of people honoring a time in our history.

In July we celebrated Fourth of July with fireworks, entertainment, and food at our largest park, Independence Park, with many people coming together. While we celebrate this each year, next year it is hopeful to have a larger celebration with it being the 250th anniversary celebrating the signing of the Declaration of Independence, strengthening our feeling of patriotism and civic pride.

In August, we were able to have a large crowd gather once again at Independence Park for the annual National Night Out sponsored by the Marshall Police Department and supported by other public safety agencies and officials. National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. The event also raises awareness about the many different public safety programs and community resources available in our community.

The city also sponsored Eats and Beats this year as a follow-up to last year’s Thursday on Third events. Eats and Beats sponsored music entertainment, secured by Small Town Events, with food trucks on site to serve food and beverages. It brought people out to 3rd Street which was reconstructed in 2023. As more people experience 3rd Street they start to feel the initial purpose of the 3rd Street redesign, to ensure a space where people can safely drive, walk, bicycle, as well as come together and interact on a personal level, creating a feeling of togetherness.

Unfortunately, many in our community also experienced community through difficult circumstances this past summer too. On July 18, the city experienced 5-8 inches in a short period of time causing localized flooding in our streets, backyards, and in some of our businesses and homes of residents.

On an early Saturday morning of Aug. 16, 70 mph winds took down many branches and trees throughout the city. Then on Aug. 18 another localized rain event of 2-3 inches in a mere 30 minutes caused similar flooding issues, and in some cases, to the same businesses and homes, as it did one month earlier. During these weather events, we saw many examples of people helping each other by lending a hand to remove flood damaged home materials or furnishings, visiting with others who shared the same experiences or simply being there for others when needed. The July/August weather events affected a large part of the city, but the greatest impact made were the day-to-day interactions and response of the people in our community that made us more cooperative, aware of each other, and stronger.

One might look at community in terms of neighborhood or location, citizenship, or cultural identity, which can lead the definition of community to be broad or narrow. But it is often the interactions and personal relationships that define community at its best whether in celebration or when challenged.

Yes, Marshall is a geographical place, but much more, it is a great community.

— Sharon Hanson is city administrator for the city of Marshall