By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
While the Halloween celebrations for children in Great Bend may look different this year, there will still be plenty of opportunities for trick-or-treaters to load up on candy and show off their costumes.
The City of Great Bend made the decision this past June to cancel the Zoo Boo event that paraded thousands of children and their families through part of Brit Spaugh Zoo to receive candy over roughly the past 30 years.
Great Bend
Community Coordinator Christina Hayes mentioned that she and city staff voiced
their concerns over Zoo Boo for the past couple of years. Through a change in
staff, the city found out that the zoo was tranquilizing five to seven animals
the day of the event to keep them calm with all the spectators.
"Zoo Boo was not truly a fundraiser for the zoo," said Hayes. "The city is essentially buying $8,000 worth of candy. We decided to shift and figure out what we could do different."
Luckily for Great Bend, the Kiwanis Halloween Parade has grown over the years
and was the natural choice to take over as the town’s lead Halloween
celebration. Due to COVID-19, the Kiwanis Club changed their event to the “Halloween
Drive Thru Boo” and will keep participants in their vehicles while driving
through Brit Spaugh Park.
"The route will start in front of the high school, turning by the skate park on Morton Street," said Hayes. "You will come up through the parking lot from the waterpark and loop around heading south. You will go out on 19th Street."
The Drive Thru Boo will be Saturday, Oct. 24 from 11 a.m. to 1
p.m.
There will also be a "Drive-thru Fall Fest" hosted by First Southern Baptist Church Oct. 31 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at 19th & Harrison.
The Walnut Bowl will host their first "Trunk and Treat" Oct. 31 from 6-9 p.m. in their parking lot at 3101 Washington.