By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Whether the event has been around for 10 years or 11 years, one thing is
for sure…June Jaunt has proven to be a success in Great Bend. The outdoor festival
is this weekend at Jack Kilby Square.
Great Bend Community Coordinator Christina Hayes is claiming that 2022 marks the 11th
year of the outdoor event, but she does recognize the COVID-19 pandemic took
out the celebration in 2020.
“It was planned and ready, so I still count it,” joked Hayes.
June Jaunt was Hayes' first big project after she was hired as the community
coordinator for the City of Great Bend. After observing what the city had and
didn’t have, an opportunity came about to create this feature the first weekend
in June.
“It was the first year a group along K-96 Highway wanted to do a regional event
from Tribune to Ellinwood,” said Hayes. “I started building from there. We have
staple events. There will always be vendors, food and live music, but what’s
cool is how we change it up.”
The music lineup changes and different features get added on a year-to-year
basis.
Hayes’ first goal was to make the event last the first five years as a region.
The “Get your fix on K-96” slogan still includes stops along the highway like
Tribune, Leoti, Scott City, Ness City and Great Bend. Other cities on K-96 have
dropped out, but each remaining town puts their own twist on the three-day
festival.
“The idea behind this was originally to bring in a bunch of visitors, but we
realized at the time Great Bend did not have any festivals,” said Hayes. “We
needed something that would be a staple for Great Bend.”
Hayes believes the fun weekend will still change eventually or morph into
something else, whether it is just a Barton County festival or it changes
names.
“I am always open for ideas,” said Hayes. “Any civic group or community members
that want to jump in and help, take over a part…I’m always very open to that.
For now, it’s something that people like.”
Hayes always has two goals each year June Jaunt rolls around. One, to provide a
family-friendly event where people can make memories in Great Bend. Two, to see
someone dance.
“If you have a concert, I want someone to dance,” said Hayes. “If one person or
one couple dances, that’s a personal goal of mine.”
This year’s June Jaunt will include a full list of live musical entertainment
from 9 a.m. Saturday, June 4 with Encounter Worship until 11:30 p.m. with
HomeBrew.
Hayes starts planning each year’s festival a year in advance. She mentioned she
already has one performer and entertainer booked for next year.
“My staff plans and organizes the event, but making it happen involves
everybody,” said Hayes. “I couldn’t do it without the public works staff that
helps, or the public lands crews that set up tables and jumbo games. There are
so many departments that pull this off.”
This year’s event is Friday, June 3 through Sunday June 5 and includes food,
games, movies, inflatables, live music, crafts, painting, a magician, Olympics
competition and a beer garden.
Whether it is year 10 or year 11, June Jaunt in Great Bend is here to stay.
“There is a little bit of everything,” added Hayes. “Come out and enjoy.”
Listen below to the entire interview with Hayes and Eagle Radio's Cole Reif that aired on 1590 KVGB & 95.5 FM on June 1, 2022.
For a full list of June Jaunt events and times view the schedule by clicking HERE.