The 2018 Home for the Holidays Parade grand marshal has been selected and the honor goes to Barry Bowers of Great Bend, Community Coordinator Christina Hayes announced Friday afternoon. She also noted the theme for the Saturday, Nov. 24, event will be “Christmas Past and Present.”

“Congratulations to Barry and Monica Bowers,” Hayes said. “Thank you for being such excellent citizens and role models for our community.” 

Opening the Christmas season

“The Home for the Holidays Festival and Parade is always such a great event in Great Bend,” Hayes said. “Everyone loves our ‘Christmas City’ and this festival is the perfect kick off to the season.”

The parade starts at 5:30 p.m. and is followed by a host of activities, including free ice skating, a visit from Santa Claus and the  opening of Santas Around the World. The Trail of Lights official opens that night as well.

But, the prior to that is Explore Great Bend – Small Business Saturday and the annual Christmas Cookie Contest.

This year, the city is organizing the entire event, with the partners from previous years staying on board to make sure the after-parade festivities continue, she said. “The festival after the parade has many partners such as Rosewood, the Masonic Lodge, Sunflower Diversified Services, the Foundry Methodist Church, the Golden Belt Railroad Association, Kustom Floor Designs and many other local businesses and individuals.”

The grand marshal

As for Bowers, he is a graduate of Great Bend High School, Barton Community College and Sterling College. A certified public accountant he is a partner with Spectrum CPA Partners LLC.  He has been married to Monica Bowers for 37 years and they are members of Grace Community Church.

Current involvements:

• Great Bend Foundation board secretary/treasurer

• Great Bend Kiwanis board (past president and treasurer)

• Aldrich Trust board chairman

• Central Kansas Development board president

• Central Kansas Dream Center board

• Barton County Historical Society – treasurer

• Barton Community Foundation board

• Great Bend Chamber Ambassador

• Central Kansas United Way campaign co-chair (past board member)

• 100 People Who Care Barton County 

• Gideon’s International

• Healing Hearts Ranch board treasurer

• Ellinwood Community Foundation treasurer

• Golden Belt Wood Carvers

Past involvements/ recognitions:

• Great Bend City Council

• Leadership Great Bend graduate

• Habitat for Humanity board and president

• St. Rose ASC board and finance committee

• Barton County Relay for Life treasurer

• Great Bend Crime Stoppers board

• Eagle Scout

• Vigil Honor – Order of the Arrow

• Silver Beaver award- Boy Scouts of America

• District Award of Merit- BSA