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Pawsome Luminaries are new at Home for the Holidays
Parade starts at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 30
trail of lights entry
The south entrance to Brit Spaugh Park is a starting point for the Trail of Lights. Volunteers are needed to work at welcome booth at the park.

Volunteers needed for holiday attractions


Great Bend City Coordinator Christina Hayes said volunteers are needed at the Trail of Lights welcome booth in Brit Spaugh Park and at the Skate Shack at Great Bend’s artificial ice skating rink in Jack Kilby Square.

Groups of at least two people are needed to greet visitors as they drive through the Brit Spaugh Park. The volunteers will also keep track of the number of vehicles, pass out goodie bags, take donations and make note of which county and state the vehicles are from. Starting Nov. 26, workers are needed every evening from 6-8 p.m. through Dec. 23rd.

Volunteers are also needed Thursday through Sunday at the skate shack outside the Barton County Courthouse. Those volunteers will “rent out” and return free skates. Skate rentals will be available from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday and Fridays and from 1-6 p.m. on Saturday and Sundays.

There are still time slots available for volunteers. Anyone interested can call City Hall at 620-793-4111, or email Hayes at chayes@greatbendks.net.


Funnel cakes or s’mores? One of these will be available at the Home for the Holidays Festival & Parade on Saturday, Nov. 30, City Coordinator Christina Hayes told the Great Bend City Council on Monday. While that detail is yet to be nailed down, Hayes had these details to share:

• From 8 a.m. to noon Nov. 30 will be the last day to participate in the $1,000 Explore Great Bend Contest. It will be "Shop Small" day for holiday shopping.

• 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. will be the Dilly & Doc Pop-Up Market at 1119 Main and the Great Bend Cookie Contest, based at 1607 Main.

• A new event will be Pawsitive Luminaries, from 5-8 p.m. in Jack Kilby Square, sponsored by Paws & Claws/Adopt A Pet. A $5 minimum donation to the Golden Belt Humane Society is requested to light up a luminary on the west side of the courthouse in honor of your furry friend. For more information contact Jean Clair at 620-786-5955 or Cathy Vonfeldt at 620-639-6921.

• 5:30 p.m. is the Home for the Holidays Parade down Main Street with 2024 Grand Marshal Sarah Krom.

• 6:15 p.m. is the annual lighting of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree in the square, with Mayor Cody Schmidt and Santa

• 6:30 p.m., visit Santas Around the World at 1223 Main. See 24 life-sized Santas from different cultures.

• 6:45 p.m., Tell Santa your wish list and tour Santas Around the World.

Fun activities in the square after the tree lighting:

• Christmas carols.

• Horse-drawn carriage and wagon rides provided by Rosewood Services until 8 p.m.

• Free train rides provided by the City of Great Bend train.

• Free Dolly Trolley rides provided by Roots & Wings Foundation.

• Free goodies: Hot dogs, hot chocolate, and more (think s’mores or funnel cakes).

• Winner announcements of Cookie Contest, Parade and Explore Great Bend.

• Christmas Corn Hole with the Barton County Fair Board.

• Christmas Petting Zoo with the Busy Buzzers 4-H Club.

• Drive the Trail of Lights – Pick up your Rosewood Golden Ticket at the Trail of Lights welcome booth.