Attendees gather for a block party on Ninth Street in downtown Lawrence on Saturday, August 29th, 2026.

Celebrants gathered for a block party on Ninth Street that served two purposes Saturday. The celebration was both for the pending end of the street closure that has stymied drivers and businesses while the city worked on its Jayhawk Watershed Project and to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Owens Flower Shop. Ninth Street is scheduled to reopen on Thursday afternoon or Friday morning, according to a weekly traffic report from the city.

Limestone performs at the Ninth Street reopening block party in downtown Lawrence on Saturday, August 29th, 2026.

Food trucks and vendors set up on Ninth Street for the re-opening block party on Saturday, August 29th, 2026.

Attendees gather inside Owen’s Flower Shop for the re-opening block party on Saturday, August 29th, 2026.

Attendees wait in line for Tiki Taco on Saturday, August 29th, 2026.

Block party attendees gather outside of Big Mill on Saturday, August 29th, 2026.

Block party attendees gather outside Owens Flower Shop on Saturday, August 29th, 2026.

Vendors talk with attendees on Ninth Street on Saturday, August 29th, 2026.

Limestone performs on Ninth Street on Saturday, August 29th, 2026.

Block party attendees fill Ninth Street on Saturday, August 29th, 2026.