By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Party in the Park has been a fun way for the city of Great Bend to close out the summer for the past several years. Each year, the city council must vote on special alcohol options for the big event. Monday evening, the body approved those options for this summer's Party in the Park and for future celebrations. City Administrator Logan Burns presented a pair of options to the council.
"The city council has two options to allow alcohol consumption for 2026 Party in the Park," he said. "The first option is a simple ordinance that would allow alcohol consumption at Vets Park only for the 2026 Party in the Park events. This ordinance would temporarily exempt the park from the state and city alcohol restrictions on Aug. 8, 2026, from 9 a.m. to midnight. The second option is a broader ordinance that would the allow the city council to approve alcohol consumption on city-owned property through a resolution for specific events."
Burns explained the resolution option would create a process for the city for any special event on city-owner property. The proposed resolution would not require the approval of an ordinance, but would still come before the council as a proposed resolution. Approval of an ordinance requires five affirmative votes, versus a simple majority to pass a resolution. Mayor Alan Moeder was in favor of the second option.
"I know the six years I've been on the council, it's come in front us every year," he said. "It's like, let's quit wasting our time. I would love to see you guys vote on option two for the resolution."
Council Member Davis Jimenez asked about safety concerns when alcohol will be included at a family-friendly event. Burns said security would still be required, as in past events. Other council members explained it is simply procedural to simplify the process. The council voted to approve option two on the resolution.