Great Bend Alive Plaza will finally come to life from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 6. That will mark the inaugural event along the one-block stretch of Forest Avenue from Main Street to Williams designated as a common consumption area.
“It’s finally happening,” said Great Bend Economic Development Inc. President Sara Hayden, who alone with her board spearheaded the project. “I’m so excited.”
Future events this year will take place every other Friday evening through September. Dates include Aug. 20, and Sept. 3 and 17.
For the opening, Hayden said they have a lot planned. Activities range from food to drinks to free games.
Moeder Catering selling appetizers and Charlie’s Place selling adult beverages will join existing restaurants. There will be corn hole and the City of Great Bend’s giant games (like Jenga) for participants to enjoy.
Providing the musical atmosphere will be the Lightfoot and Buehler Band.
Getting to this point has taken a lot of work, Hayden said. Additional outdoor electrical outlets have been installed, permanent decorative lights will illuminate the trees and large planters with flowers add touches of color.
Additional features like bistro lighting (hanging over the street) and a decorative arch at the Williams Street entrance are in the works, but won’t be ready for this year.
There will be high-top and regular tables with chairs and shades available. These are all removable and will be set up and taken down for each event.
“We wanted to start small,” she said. “This is a trial run.”
They have had requests to extend the hours, she said. But, they just want to get a feel for how it will go and assure area business owners there is nothing to worry about.
“It’s not about the party,” Hayden said. “It’s about adding another thing to do to make Great Bend great.”
They are really wanting public input to make the plaza and activities better, she said. There will be a quick-response (QR) code on the tables people can scan to offer suggestions.
“We really do want to grow this,” she said. “We are counting on Great Bend to tell us which direction to go.”
Hayden sees so much potential in the zone. With the planned additions, it could become a multi-season venue.
In the meantime, looking to the future, Hayden said they are seeking food truck vendors and musicians to be a part of the plaza nights.
The City Council in June approved a resolution creating the zone in the city’s center at the request of GBED in an effort to rekindle the downtown and make the community more competitive. Great Bend Alive Inc., a non-profit offshoot of GBED, is licensed to operate the area.
For more information, call Hayden at 620-796-2407, or email director@gbedinc.com.
