By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
The always popular Santa’s Workshop, hosted by the Great Bend Recreation Commission, is set to entertain children of all ages Monday, Dec. 9. From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the City Auditorium, children can participate in holiday-themed booths, visit Santa Claus and give big red their Christmas list.
Great Bend Rec Enrichment Director Garet Fitzpatrick said there is a lot of pride in hosting the two-hour event each year.
"For the Rec Center and a two-hour program, it's probably our largest event by far," said Fitzpatrick. "It's crazy and a lot of work. We basically start a year in advance. You just remember all the people that come and all the smiles on the faces of kids and adults even."
High school students, civic organizations and several community volunteers help transform the City Auditorium into a Christmas paradise for children with games, prizes and treats.
Fitzpatrick said the Burnside Room inside the Rec Center has activities for smaller children.
"The City Auditorium is amazing and a lot of fun on the night of the event, but for some of your younger kids, it might be a little overwhelming," said Fitzpatrick. "Check out the Burnside Room. That will be for the three and four year-olds...your younger kids."
The program, designed for preschool through 6th graders, is now in its 28th year. Families should enter through the doors on the southwest corner of the auditorium.
Students from the Great Bend High School Student Organizations, BCC Softball Team, Barton County Sheriff’s Department, Great Bend Fire/EMS Department, Great Bend Police Department, and the Great Bend Recreation Commission will be helping with this event.
The USD 428 Parents as Teachers, Parent Teacher Resource Center - PTRC, Sunflower Early Education Center, and Great Bend Public Library Children’s Department will be providing a mini–Santa’s Workshop in the Burnside Room in the Recreation Center designed for preschoolers. For this event, please enter through the northeast door of the Burnside Room.
For more information about this program and other programs the Great Bend Rec offers, please go to our web site at www.greatbendrec.com or call the Recreation Commission office at 620-793-3755 ext. 110.