By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Kansas temperatures dipped into the low 90s last week, but the heat break came a little early for Great Bend's 10th Annual Party in the Park. Those high temperatures make Saturday's wet/dry parade, wet inflatables, and Anything that Floats race all the more enticing. One change made for this year's event is the cancellation of the obstacle run. Great Bend Community Coordinator Christina Hayes said it came down to numbers.
"In the past, we've always had 60-plus pre-registrations," she said. "We've had less than 20. It's just so much work to get all those obstacles out and to do all that work. It was best for us because we didn't know, pre-registration-wise, how many we would have. So no run this year, but I am going to make it into a 5-year deal. Every five years, we'll have a really big run; we'll make it really great. We'll bring the foam machine, we'll do it all out. The next one will not actually be until 2025."
Hayes said entry numbers are still down for the Kiwanis Anything that Floats race scheduled for 11:45 a.m. Saturday at Vets Lake. Registration ends at 11:30 that morning. Creative entries are still encouraged so long as they do not have a hull.
"If you have something you would like to make Anything that Floats for that piece, it doesn't cost anything other than the amount it costs for you to figure out what you're going to put in your materials," Hayes said.
Hayes said there has been confusion about entries to other events. Registration is required for the raft race, floats for the parade, car show, Oozefest mud volleyball tournament, Froot Loop eating contest, mullet contest, and cornhole tournament. Wrist bands for Saturday's concert are $5 ahead of time and $10 at the gate.