By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Last year's big summer finale hardly felt like summer. This year's Party in the Park in Great Bend should be a little warmer. Forecasts indicate highs near the century mark this Saturday. Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Amanda Gaddis said conditions should be great for the Kiwanis Wet-Dry Parade that runs through Veterans Memorial Park beginning at 10 a.m.
"That's the part of the parade where you can either stay on the east side of the railroad tracks and stay dry, or you can go to the other side, and it's like a big water fight over there."
The Oozefest Mud Volleyball tournament returns to Veterans Park this year with a 9 a.m. start. Near those same mud pits, Midwest Elite Wrestling also returns. The wrestlers will host a meet-and-greet from noon to 1 p.m., then take part in a Nerf war from 1-2 p.m. The Rumble in the Park is scheduled from 2-5 p.m.
Wristbands for the three concerts Saturday night are $5 in advance and $10 at the gate - cash only this year. Savanna Chestnut, a native of Valley Falls north of Topeka, opens the shows.
"Savanna Chestnut, she is from season 20 of 'The Voice," Gaddis said. "She was on Blake Shelton's team. She'll be kicking the night off at 6:30. We have a Queen tribute band who will be out there at 8, then Homebrew brings it home at 10 p.m."
The full day of events includes a vendor fair from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Optimist Kids Fun Zone from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Shifters Car Show from noon to 5 p.m., and a cornhole tournament at Al Burns Field. Registration for that competition begins at 5:15 p.m., with action to follow at 6.
