From the OozeFest Mud Volleyball Tournament in the morning to the fireworks at night, Veterans Memorial Park in Great Bend is the place to be this Saturday.

“We have a good, fun, end-of-summer bash coming,” Community Coordinator Christina Hayes said back in July. Now, on Aug. 12, the time has come for Party in the Park.

While much of the fun is free, a wristband will be needed to attend the three concerts starting Saturday evening. If you didn’t get one beforehand, they can be purchased at the gate for $10.

Two local bands, The Heathens and Homebrew, will be featured before and after the Ultimate Garth Brooks Tribute.

Lyle Jones at A440 Musical Instruments in Great Bend is the lead singer and plays guitar for The Heathens, along with Byron Austin on drums and Brett Staub on bass. They have just released their first rock album, “For Love or Money,” available on streaming services. The band is online at facebook.com/BeMyHeathen.

Before the Music

During the day there will be free activities such as rock painting and a car show, as well as the popular Anything That Floats race and the Kiwanis Wet/Dry Parade. Catch the beginning of the parade if you don’t want to get soaked; the second half of the parade is a huge water fight with audience and parade participants invited to join in.

New this year are the afternoon Nerf Wars. Wearing goggles and armed with Nerf guns, kids can battle it out for bragging rights.

Party in the Park schedule

• 9 a.m. – OozeFest Mud Volleyball Tournament. The volleyball tournament is open to anyone 16 years of age or older. Registration is $75 per team and is through the  Great Bend Recreation Commission. 

• 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Pop Up Adventure Playground for all ages

• 9:30-11 a.m. - Paint in the Park - Rock Snake Painting

• 10 a.m. - Kiwanis Wet/Dry Parade on 17th Street Terrace

• 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Nerf wars

• 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Optimist Kids Fun Zone (inflatables and water fun)

• 11 a.m. -  4 p.m. airbrush tattoos

• 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. - Central Kansas Shifters Car Show

• 11:15 a.m. - Anything That Floats race

• Noon - lunch with vendors

• 1:30-3 p.m. - Nerf wars

• 2 p.m. First Kansas Bank Money Pit

• 3 p.m. - cup competition - various ages

• 4 p.m. - corn hole tournament (3:15 p.m. check-in)

• 6 p.m. - gates open for concerts

• 6-9 p.m. - concert photo booth

• 6:15 p.m. - Music by The Heathens

• 8 p.m. - Ultimate Garth Brooks Tribute (from Texas)

• 10 p.m. - fireworks

• 10:30 p.m. - Music by Homebrew

A wristband is required for entry to the concerts. If you didn’t get one before Saturday, they can be purchased at the gate for $10. (Kids 5 years old and younger get in free.)

For more information, visit the Explore Great Bend Facebook page.