By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Sometimes you have to try something new. After 14 years of June Jaunt in Great Bend, a revamp of the outdoor festival took place this year with the Big Bend Bash. The next big outdoor shindig in town will be Party in the Park, taking place at Veterans Memorial Park on Aug. 9.
Great Bend Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Amanda Gaddis said Party in the Park will proceed as usual but is open to changes.
"I think there is always room for changes and growth," said Gaddis. "I'm interested to see how that festival moves forward after this year. I just want to see it keep growing."
Along with the return of the mud volleyball tournament location to Vets Park, Party in the Park
Gaddis has been covering both the CVB Director position and Community Coordinator position since the resignation of Christina Hayes in late February. Gaddis will gradually step away from the Community Coordinator role, now renamed the Public Relations Director, with the hiring of Addison Crites. During the transition, Gaddis will continue to help sort out which promotions work, including retail promotions.
"We know the Art & Wine Walk is a huge success," said Gaddis. "That one works. I think the other ones, we're just trying to figure out and navigate which promotions are better and just trying to change those up every year."
The next retail promotion will be the Summer Sidewalk Sale on Saturday, July 12 beginning at 8 a.m.