Last year, Fuller Industries Inc. revived the company’s traditional company picnic, and this year the event Sunday afternoon doubled as a Christmas party for employees and their families.

Attendees enjoyed food prepared by staff members, beverages, music provided by DJ Tim Messmer (aka Tim Tunes), bounce houses, games, a barrel train and other activities. Even Santa Claus paid a visit, taking note of the Christmas wishes offered by the children.

All of this occurred inside the company’s massive plant west of Great Bend. The sounds of conversation, music and laughter echoed in the cavernous space.

“This is a wonderful chance to get together with co-workers in a relaxed atmosphere,” one attendee said. “It’s nice to celebrate the season with our Fuller family.”

Kids tumbled in the bounce houses and rode around the plant in the train, and kids and adults alike shot hoops, danced, played giant checkers and Jenga, and took pictures with Santa.

Many employees walked away winners after their numbers were drawn in the raffle.

“This is a chance for all of us to come together and celebrate the holiday season with our friends and families,” said Joe Mann, Fuller general manager and vice president. “Our employees are a family as well, and this was a chance to celebrate that, too.”

The gathering was originally planned for the late summer. However, production schedules and company expansions delayed it to the fall and then to the Yule Tide.

“When we brought back the family picnic last year, we realized how popular it was, and how important it was to our team members,” said Mann who helped cook the buffet-style fajita bar lunch. “We are a pretty tight-knit bunch out here, and this is a wonderful way to socialize and show our appreciation for all our people do.”