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There’s something transformational about gathering. When neighbors meet under the summer sky, not just to pass through a space but to dwell, laugh, dance, and dream together—that’s when a place starts to change. It’s the shift from geography to community. From a place where people are at, to a place where people want to be.
That’s the power of placemaking, and it’s why the Summer Fireworks Extravaganza (SFE)—now heading into its 6th year on June 28, 2025—has become a cornerstone event in SE Topeka’s revitalization.
Each summer, more than 2,000 residents and guests gather at this vibrant, family-friendly celebration hosted by Fellowship Hi-Crest and SENT Inc.. It’s the second largest food truck gathering in Topeka each year, featuring live music, a 20-minute professional fireworks show, dozens of activity vendors, and purpose-driven fundraising. Last year alone, $785 was raised for the Topeka Rescue Mission, and every year a new cause is uplifted.
But the real impact goes beyond entertainment.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS YEAR’S EVENT
A Tradition That Builds Belonging
In neighborhoods like Hi-Crest, where the resilience of residents has endured despite decades of underinvestment, this matters deeply. Studies show that communities that gather regularly experience lower crime rates, improved health outcomes, and higher levels of civic trust. Traditions like SFE are more than events—they’re infrastructure for human flourishing.
In the words of one attendee from last year:
“I found my people and purpose.”
Another first-time vendor said:
“This is a really nice area! So many people, so much fun, and no trouble at all. No trash!”
Listening While We Celebrate
Beyond fireworks and food, SFE is also a listening post. In 2024, 172 residents shared their voices through our neighborhood survey. What we heard was clear:
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51 requested Harvesters food distribution access
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40 asked for a local food pantry
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43 wanted dental services
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Community events topped the list of most-needed efforts
These aren’t just statistics—they’re signals. They help SENT and Fellowship Hi-Crest respond with targeted services: affordable housing, youth programming, mental health support, and more. This is placemaking rooted in action.
Why “Place” and Belonging Matter in Community Development
Placemaking is more than an event—it’s a strategic investment in health, safety, and opportunity. According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, social cohesion—people’s sense of connectedness and belonging in a place—is a key driver of improved health, safety, and economic mobility.
A landmark study from Harvard’s Opportunity Insights found that children growing up in more socially cohesive neighborhoods had significantly better long-term outcomes, including higher income, better health, and lower incarceration rates.
A Journal of Community Psychology study found that people with a strong sense of neighborhood belonging reported lower levels of depression and anxiety. Meanwhile, the Knight Foundation’s Soul of the Community study with Gallup revealed that emotional connection to place—not jobs or education—was the top predictor of a community’s economic growth.
As urban psychiatrist Dr. Mindy Fullilove put it:
“When people feel connected to a place, they are more likely to invest in it, care for it, and fight for its future.”
And as Brené Brown reminds us:
“Belonging is the antidote to despair.”
Events like the Summer Fireworks Extravaganza aren’t just fun—they’re foundational. They build trust, create visibility, and generate pride in under-resourced areas. A thriving place creates the conditions where people stay, engage, and invest—turning short-term celebration into long-term transformation.
When people see their neighborhood as worth celebrating, a culture of possibility begins to replace a culture of survival.
Join us on June 28, 2025. Let’s make more than memories—let’s build momentum. Come celebrate, connect, and contribute to a future where every neighbor is known, every story matters, and every block reflects hope. This isn’t just about where we live—it’s about the kind of place we’re becoming, together.
