Greetings from the Great Bend Public Library! Is everyone ready for summer? Next Friday, June 3, is our big summer kick-off event! We are going to have all kinds of fun activities for all ages, starting at 2 p.m. with a Teen Tiki Bar. Kick back with some mocktails, games, and more at our mini luau! Make your own lei while you sip on a fruity mocktail, then participate in games out on the library’s front lawn.

Starting at 5 p.m., Brad Shores of Tropic Shores Steel Drums will be here to bring an “island atmosphere” to our celebration. Brad plays the lead steel pan and keyboard while his daughter Erica plays the “double seconds” steel pan drums. In addition to playing their drums at events, they also enjoy doing educational programs, using “edutainment” to teach about music and their instruments. Don’t miss out on a one-of-a-kind performance at this year’s kick-off! While you’re enjoying the sound of the islands, don’t forget to grab your free snow cone from Mike and Ice between 5 and 6 p.m. After you’ve finished that delicious frozen treat, enjoy some lawn games with the whole family. As the evening winds down, adults can join us in the library to cool off as we embark on a harrowing nautical adventure for the June Adults Night Out Movie at 7 p.m. 

We hope that everyone has a great time at our big kickoff, but don’t forget the most important part, summer reading registration! From 5 to 6 p.m. patrons of all ages can register for our Summer Reading Program. We have so many amazing prizes to offer for all age groups, along with a ticket to our Wetland Waterpark End of Summer Bash! To earn your ticket to the party, read during June and July and turn in your completed summer reading logs by July 29. Reading is your only way in, so be sure to register so you can start earning your ticket right away.

To see what else we are up to at the library, find us on social media @greatbendpl and visit our website, greatbendpl.info. You can also message us on Facebook, email us at gbcirc@gmail.com, or give us a call at 620-792-2409 with any questions about our programming or services.

Written by Hannah Grippin, outreach manager at the Great Bend Public Library.