By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Things change.
Following the June 15 Great Bend City Council meeting, the general consensus from the governing body was to carry on as usual with the annual Party in the Park festival at Veterans Memorial Park. Jump to the July 20 meeting, and the majority of the council felt it was not a good time to host the 8th annual outdoor festival because of a spike in COVID-19 cases.
The council voted 6-2 to cancel this year’s Party in the Park that was scheduled for Aug. 8.
Great Bend
Community Coordinator Christina Hayes was asked what her take was on the
recommendation.
"I would either be all in or all out," said Hayes. "If we did it, I would like everyone to do it. If we don't, I would like everything to be cancelled. Am I concerned about it? Yes."
City Administrator Kendal Francis noted he was concerned about community
members but also the city’s staff with extra potential exposure to coronavirus.
Francis mentioned some staff members were hesitant in helping with the festival
and most outside entities involved with Party in the Park were indifferent.
"One entity said they would not be participating," said Francis. "Everyone else said they would go ahead and participate but were okay with cancelling as well."
With the decision to cancel the event, Hayes told the governing body that the city
lost out on $7,500 that was spent for nonrefundable deposits on several events.