FEATURE First on Front


A COMMUNITY BANK BRINGING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER Amanda Lee | Assistant Cashier, First State Bank of Purdy | alee@fsb-purdy.com


In the Fall of 2017, the nonprofit Monett Main Street fundraising culminated in construction beginning on a new outdoor pavilion and park in Downtown Monett, MO, largely made possible through a land donation from Glen & the late Sharon Garrett, who has owned First State Bank of Purdy since 1974. The outdoor space consisted of a large 8,000 square foot


pavilion, large green space area, fully accessible playground equipment, and an aquatic splash pad, all made possible through area community sponsors and donors. While attending the MIB Community Banking Conference in August 2017, the First State Bank of Purdy staff members heard from guest speaker, President and CEO Jill Castilla with Citizens Bank of Edmond, about their family-friendly, local community gathering they started on their own as a community bank. Using this information as a framework, First State Bank of


Purdy reached out to Citizens Bank of Edmond and traveled to Edmond, Oklahoma to meet with their team to learn best practices and ways their event helped the community. At the end of 2017, First State Bank of Purdy finalized and announced their own plans for a three-part Summer 2018 series called “First on Front”, to


be held on the first Friday in May, June, and July. The first event coincided with the grand opening and dedication of the Jerry D. Hall Memorial Pavilion, where the main stage is located, inside The Glen and Sharon Garrett Downtown Park. First State Bank of Purdy now annually hosts live, local music


& food trucks in downtown Monett, MO at the “First on Front” event. “First on Front” is a community celebration that spotlights local business and talent, and the importance of shopping local, eating local, listening local, and banking local. “First on Front” is a Southwest Missouri event for all ages


showing the importance of community and bringing people together. On the first Friday during the months of May, June, and July from 6–10pm, First State Bank of Purdy shuts down two city blocks and lines the streets with food trucks and features various musical acts all evening. The “First on Front” event is free to the public and staffed by a volunteer team of employees from First State Bank of Purdy. The event has been widely received by the Southwest Missouri


community, and recently won the Pride & Progress award from the Monett Chamber of Commerce.


More information about First on Front can be found on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @FIRSTONFRONT.


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