By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
The final weekend of May is shaping up to be a big one in the city of Great Bend. Great Bend Alive will host one of its Fridays on Forest on Friday, May 29. The following day brings the second edition of Great Bend Economic Development’s Big Bend Bash. The event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in downtown Great Bend. City Public Information Director Addi Crites said the city is pleased to be involved.
“On the city’s end, we’re responsible for helping with the Kids Zone,” she said. “We have some bounce houses planned, we have a face painter coming, we’re working on a magician and some other fun things to bring in for the kids.”
The city was involved with June Jaunt for 14 years before scaling back its responsibility in the downtown festival, which was rebranded and reorganized last year by Great Bend Eco Devo as Big Bend Bash. Kicking off the summer, last year’s event was a hot one. This year, the city’s Kids Zone will feature wet inflatables.
“Due to the fact they are wet, we had to move them so they would be closer to a drain and water source, so those are going to be more on the Lakin side,” Crites said.
The Red, White & Blue Parade will return as part of the festivities. The day will also feature the Big Bend Art Walk, organized by Barton Arts Movement, to showcase local artists, and Bike, Brew, Q. Big Bend Bash will also have plenty of vendors, food trucks, beverage choices, and live music.