By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Badge hunts, jumbo Monopoly, live music, great food, courthouse tours, and a parade - that's just part of a giant weekend planned for the 13th Annual June Jaunt in Great Bend. Community Coordinator Christina Hayes said there is something for everyone, including the Parade Through Time, hosted by Great Bend Alive, that begins at 5 p.m. Friday evening on Main Street.
"It is going to start with present day and go clear back to the 1800s in Great Bend," she said. "They have hooked my staff, friends, and I up with this amazing, Macy's Day-style, huge American flag we'll be walking in the parade with. We're really excited about that piece, too."
June Jaunt Jumbo Monopoly actually runs from May 31-June 8. Participants can visit participating stores, answer trivia questions, and collect 20 stickers to be eligible for one of five $50 gift certificates to be used in participating stores. The fire and police chief badge hunt will run Friday through Sunday with clues offered at 8 a.m., noon, and 6 p.m. on the Explore Great Bend Facebook page. Up for grabs is a $50 gift certificate to any Great Bend store. Hayes reminds players that the badges will be in easy-to-find locations and no digging or disturbing of property is required.
A ribbon cutting and tours at the renovated Barton County Courthouse begins at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, with Fridays on Forest following from 5 to 9 p.m. Downtown Great Bend will be filled with cars as part of the June Jaunt Car from 6-8 p.m. and an Open Cruise Night from 8-9 p.m. The animated movie "Migration" will begin at dusk at the Jack Kilby Bandshell.
Saturday's festivities begin at 9 a.m. with the Outdoor Food & Vendor Fair at Jack Kilby Square. The day will feature many opportunities for games, crafts, performances, and live entertainment. New this year, "The Coffee Can: A Play in One-Act," will be performed at noon.
"John O'Connor is the writer," Hayes said. "He is actually working with the Great Bend Community Theater, and they will be doing a one-act play right there at the bandshell. Bring your cheer, come check that out at noon."
The Circus Man will have three performances beginning at 4:30 p.m., Phlox Fire returns for a performance at 8:45 p.m., and HomeBrew brings the night to a close with live music at the bandshell starting at 9:45 p.m.
Find a full schedule of events by CLICKING HERE.