The public is invited to attend the Great Bend City Band’s free outdoor July 4th concert at 8:15 p.m. Thursday at the band shell in the Barton County Courthouse Square.
The theme this year is “The Greatest Generation.” The concert will feature many patriotic selections including: “The National Emblem March,” a special recognition of the 75th anniversary of D-Day, “The Washington Post March,” recognition of Bob Dole and the Washington D.C. World War II Memorial and “America the Beautiful.” Narratives will be read by Vern Fryberger, retired director of Choral Activities at Barton Community College.
Veterans of the Armed Forces will be honored.
An elementary-age student will have the opportunity to direct the Great Bend City Band by conducting John Philip Sousa’s, “The Stars And Stripes Forever.”
There will be a sign-up sheet prior to the concert.
City Band Director Steven Lueth invites everyone to attend this patriotic musical salute to start off the Independence Day weekend festivities.
In case of inclement weather, the concert will be canceled.
Fireworks and more
Earlier on Thursday, the Summer Street Stroll farmers market will take place as usual from 4-7 p.m. on the southeast corner of the square.
Fort Larned National Historic Site will be open all day Thursday. There will be crafts, living history, blacksmith demonstrations and 19th century gardening. The public is invited to enjoy free watermelon in the barracks mess hall at noon. Artillery and rifle firing demonstrations will be held at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
A fireworks display and entertainment will be offered at Jordaan Park in Larned, with entertainment starting around 6 p.m. and the fireworks at sundown.
There will also be a July 4 fireworks display in Ellinwood at sundown, at the practice football field adjacent to the swimming pool.
Great Bend’s public fireworks display will be held Wednesday, July 3, at 9:45 p.m. at the Great Bend Expo Complex. Gates open at 7:30 p.m.
July band concerts
Great Bend City Band also has concerts scheduled for 8:15 p.m. on Thursday, July 11 and Tuesday, July 16.
For the July 16 concert, the band will be playing in honor of Barton Community College to commemorate Barton’s 50-year anniversary. College administrators will be handing out free hot dogs and chips.
Barton’s 50-year anniversary celebration will span the 2019-2020 school year and will feature multiple events, which will kick off with a campus-wide celebration on September 28.
