By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
A few years ago, a pair of Great Bend Halloween traditions joined to create one big event. The Downtown Halloween Trick-or-Treat Event, presented by Great Bend Kiwanis, returns on Saturday, Oct. 26. The community trunk-or-treat at the end of the parade is sponsored by local churches. Kiwanis member Amanda Urban said the fun begins at 11 a.m. that day.
"It starts at Jack Kilby Square, then it heads north down to 16th," she said. "It crosses over, heading south then, all the way to 12th Street, crossing over and heading north again and coming back down Main Street. We do hang a right there on Lakin and go down to the end of the block."
The walking parade ends at Rosewood Winery at Lakin and Kansas, then the trick-or-treaters cross the street for the trunk-or-treat. Urban thanked the many businesses and churches that make the event possible.
"Then we have others that are coming down that, if their business isn't on Main Street, they will come down and set up a booth," she said. "Also, the police department, they're sending a crew there to help us patrol the cross walks and are probably giving out candy. The Barton County Sheriff's Office got ahold me me today. They're going to come down and give out candy."
Great Bend Fire/EMS will also join the parade route and hand out candy. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will be canceled in the event of inclement weather.