The City of Great Bend’s 11th-annual Party in the Park is only four weeks away, Community Coordinator Christina Hayes said, addressing the City Council Monday night. The festival, sponsored by the city as a way to say thanks to the community, is set for Saturday, Aug. 12 at Veterans Memorial Park.

“I can’t believe it’s already almost here,” she said. “We have a good, fun, end-of-summer bash coming.”

Hayes said many of the popular events are returning as the day starts at 9 a.m. with the OozeFest Mud Volleyball Tournament and he Kiwanis Club Wet Dry Parade begins at 10 a.m. along 17th Street Terrace. The day ends with concerts by the Heathens, The Ultimate Garth Brooks Tribute and Homebrew. The fireworks are set for 10 p.m.

There will be several new events coming this year, Hayes said.

• “We are doing the first ever Nerf wars,” she said. Wearing goggles and armed with Nerf guns, kids can battle it out for bragging rights. 

• There will be airbrush tattoos available. 

• First Kansas Bank is doing a new money pit for the kids. 

• There will be a cup stacking competition for Great Bend High School students.  

The rest of the day will be busy as well. A complete list of activities includes:

• 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 a.m.-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. - Kiwanis 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

• 3:15 p.m. - cornhole check in time

• 4 p.m. - cornhole tournament

• 6 p.m. - gates open for concert

• 6 - 9 p.m. - concert photo booth

• 6:15 p.m. - the Heathens (a local band)

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

• 10 p.m. - fireworks

• 10:30 p.m. - Homebrew (an area band)

Hayes said tickets to the concerts can be purchased at Party in the Park for $5 or at the gate for $10. Cash, checks and credit cards will be accepted.

Dating back to 2013, the idea for the party stemmed from citywide festivals held in years gone by when citizens would gather in public places and celebrate summer, harvest or just the joys of living in a small town. Now, the city is bringing that vibe back.

City employees go all out for this. Many put in extra hours getting things ready or hanging around the day of to make sure it runs smoothly.

For more information, visit the Explore Great Bend Facebook page or email Hayes at chayes@greatbendks.net.