By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
With complimentary access to more than 220 tourism attractions across Kansas, the Sunflower Summer program encourages citizens to go on journeys and explore their state. Kansas families with school-age children can download the Sunflower Summer app to claim free tickets to attraction venues.
Great Bend Community Coordinator Christina Hayes said Great Bend has three stops included in the program this year. Kansas Wetlands Education Center, Brit Spaugh Zoo and the Wetlands Waterpark can be accessed through the app.
"It seems kind of crazy that we would have two free facilities on the app," said Hayes. "However, if people use the app and show the app at our front desk, our free places benefit as well. It's reimbursed. We can get so many entries for free."
The program, organized by Kansas Tourism, started May 25 and will run through Aug. 11. Each user can use tickets once per venue during the 2024 season. Open to all Kansas families with students pre-K through 12th grade, the app has already had an impact on the Great Bend waterpark.
"Our visitation online has quadrupled for our waterpark," said Hayes. "There's a lot of people outside of Great Bend that are looking to come. That's exciting."
To participate, families can download the Sunflower Summer app at the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or at SunflowerSummer.org.