By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Just seconds after winning a brand new car, Great Bend's Brandy Lang still had clarity of mind. Asked where her first trip in the 2026 Chevy Equinox would be, she simply answered, "Home." Lang was one of 64 finalists in Eagle Media's Looking Fly in the Cacti Summer Giveaway, presented by Ehler Chevrolet, Equity Bank, Eldridge Fencing, and Z's Liquor & Z's Liquor Mart. Lang, who was instant finalist No. 27 after entering at Z's Liquor, outlasted Mark Thul and Leon Haselhorst Friday night at Ehler Chevrolet in Hoisington to bring home the grand prize, valued at more than $35,000.
“This is the only thing I’ve ever won in my whole life,” Lang said.
The Looking Fly in the Cacti Summer Giveaway began last April, with instant finalists picked at sponsoring businesses throughout the spring and summer. More finalists were selected from drawings at those sponsored businesses. Nancy Crawford became the final finalist after her name was drawn just before the giveaway Friday night.
Lang was a finalist in Eagle Media’s 2023 Nitro Summer Giveaway, but her ball was one of the first numbers called that night. She may have missed out on the 2023 Chevy Trailblazer given away three years ago, but now she can replace her 11-year-old vehicle.
“I’ve never had a brand new car in my life,” Lang said.
Lang gives plenty of credit to her boyfriend, Chris LaBranche, who made her sign up that fateful day at Z’s Liquor.
“You can’t win if you don’t play,” LaBranche said.
Sixty-three of the 64 finalists were represented for Friday’s giveaway. Players were eliminated as their balls were drawn. The final 10 players and where they signed up, listed in reverse order, were:
No. 27 – Brandy Lang – Z’s Liquor
No. 32 – Leon Haselhorst – G-B Tires
No. 3 – Mark Thul – Jimlo Glass Center
No. 55 – Carol Durant – Nex-Tech
No. 20 – Mark Roth – Fireworks 4 Less
No. 6 – Gene Wilkins – Eldridge Fencing
No. 60 – Dave Thomas – Z’s Liquor
No. 57 – Colette Keeler – Dawson Jewelers
No. 28 – Margaret Smith – Dawson Jewelers
No. 41 – Denise Zink – Jimlo Glass Center
Finalist Locations:
Ehler Chevrolet
Cornerstone Automotive & Tire
Eldridge Fencing
Memorial Art Company
Ellinwood After Harvest Festival
Equity Bank
Fireworks 4 Less
Nex-Tech
Z's Liquor
Z's Liquormart
Dawson Jewelers
Jimlo Glass Center
G-B Tires
Great Bend Appliance Furniture & Sleep Source
Reborn Renovations
Westside Market/ UPS Store
T&L Fireworks
Nex-Tech Wireless
Great Bend Bat Cats - Courtesy of Moeder Plumbing Heating & Air
That New Place in Olmitz
Rosewood Wine Cellar - Courtesy of Moeder Plumbing Heating & Air
Sutherlands
Mayo Money Management
Barton County Fair - Courtesy of Eagle Media