By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
The summer festivals in Great Bend have come and gone with June Jaunt and this month’s Party in the Park. Great Bend Community Coordinator Christina Hayes and her staff are now preparing for next month’s Great Bend Airfest.
Hayes reported to the city council Monday that rain and weather did dampen the turnout to this year’s Party in the Park at Veterans Memorial Park. The mud volleyball tournament was moved to the fairgrounds west of town, but new attractions still saw value in the festival despite lower attendance.
"The vendors surprisingly said they were really happy," said Hayes. "We added the vendor piece instead of mud volleyball. We also added wrestling. No vendors were unhappy with the turnout."
Earlier this summer, Hayes noted June Jaunt attendance numbers were also down this year. The Great Bend Convention and Visitors Bureau Board was in favor of no longer hosting June Jaunt, and Hayes said recommendations for both summer events will go before the city council soon.
"The council will get the final say," said Hayes. "As of now, the council made the decision to have a budget for both June Jaunt and Party in the Park next year, but there might be some changes to that. I will come to the council with ideas and solutions for that."
2024 marked the 13th year for June Jaunt and the 12th year for Party in the Park.