What started as a small event a dozen years ago has grown into an annual festive tradition for more than 200 people. The 13th Annual Great Bend Cookie Contest is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday in conjunction with Small Business Saturday.
Last year, a record 250 shoppers participated in the event, which allows people to sample cookies from participating businesses and vote for the best cookie in town. This year, Cookie Contest organizers are anticipating similar participation numbers and encourage shoppers to get their voting bracelets before 1 p.m.; otherwise, they may already be gone.
Twenty businesses are involved in this year’s Great Bend Cookie Contest. As with last year, cookies will be wrapped in separate cookie sleeves, or they will be served individually with tongs by a store representative.
How it works
A donation of $5 is suggested for all participating judges. The collected proceeds go to the Food Bank of Barton County to help feed those in need during the holiday season and beyond.
To vote for your favorite cookie, stop by Cookie Headquarters on Saturday at Rosewood Furniture Gallery, 16th and Main in downtown Great Bend, to pick up a cookie box and voting bracelet. All votes to be counted must be returned to Cookie Headquarters by 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Besides getting to sample amazing cookies and having a say in which business bakes the best cookie, Cookie Contest judges have a chance to win prizes during drawings that will take place at approximately 6:30 p.m. Saturday, following the “Home For The Holidays Parade” in downtown Great Bend. Drawing winners must be present at the band shell in Jack Kilby Square in order to win prizes. Following prize drawings, the winner of the Great Bend Cookie Contest will be announced.
Businesses participating in this year’s Great Bend Cookie Contest are Rosewood Furniture Gallery (Cookie Headquarters); Kustom Floor Designs; Renue Salon, Spa & Fashion Boutique; He Brews & She Serves Beverage Bar; Buckle; Great Bend Coffee; Bling; Rosewood Bargain Barn; A440 Musical Instruments; Dilly & Doc Creative Studio; Forever Young (Kids Resale); Heart of Kansas/Ms. Pretty Pickles; RePerks Coffee Shop; Just Say It Though; Mr. Olsen’s Natural Solutions; The Wright Place; Rosewood Wine Cellar; Rana Luna Boutique; That Hipster Place/BBE Signs; and 10th Avenue Boutique.
