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Fun times ahead
Spring is around the corner
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Springtime offers many opportunities for people to get out and explore Great Bend and the surrounding communities.

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Great Bend Sports Complex 2016 schedule.
Feb. 29 to May 20 — GBHS- Softball-Baseball Season
April 30 to May 1 — GBRC-NBC Hap Dumont Baseball Tournament
May 4 to May 7 — KCAC Baseball-Softball Tournament
May 16 to May 20 — GBHS- Region Softball-Baseball
May 23 to July 31 — GBRC -Adult Softball Leagues
May 23 to July 24 — GBRC- Youth Softball-Baseball Leagues
May 26 to 28 — KSHSAA Class 1A & Class 2A State Baseball
June 4 to 5 — GBRC- NBC Feature Hap Dumont Baseball Tournament
June 11 to June 12 — VIP ASA Youth Softball Tournament
June 18 to 19 — Great Bend Legion Baseball Tournament
June 24 to 26 — USSSA Baseball & Softball Tournament
July 2 to 3 — ASA Youth Softball Tournament
July 7 to 10 — American Legion Tournament
July 8 to 10 — 11 and Under Hap Dumont State Championship Tournament
Aug. 1 to Aug. 31 — GBRC Coed Softball Leagues

Springtime means fun times and many groups and organizations are getting events and programs up and running for the season.
One of these organizations in the Great Bend Recreation Commission.
The GBRC hosts numerous events and programs throughout the spring.
“Our programs are supported by the community,” Recreation Program Coordinator Garet Fitzpatrick said. “We have a wide range of programs.”
The programs that the GBRC offers are for all age groups from preschool to adults.
Preschool activities Include: Princess Tea Party.
The youth activities include: Afternoon Kids Day Out, Arts and Crafts, Baby-sitting Training, Crazy Bird Painting and Good Old Ceramic, just to name a few. There are also youth after school activities.
Family and special events include: Spring Break Day Out, Lifeguard Training, Lifeguard Certification Class, Happy Spring, My Super Hero and the Great Easter Craft.
Adult leisure and enrichment programs include: Murder at the Juice Joint, Furniture and Trunk Refinishing Workshop, Hop the Easter Craft, Line Dancing, Oil and Acrylic Painting and Techniques, Walk Kansas, School of Hard Knocks, Park Elementary Drone Club, Gluten and your Gut’s Good Health, Lazy Gardening, Walk Kansas Prep Rally and Planting Annuals.
They also have activities for special needs and people over the age of 50.
Springtime is also a time for people to get out and start enjoying sports and sporting events.
The GBRC plays host to different sporting events throughout the year.
These events include: Youth and high school team sports, fitness and wellness events and adult sports.
The GBRC in not the only one that has events and programs in the spring; there are many places to visit while exploring Great Bend include the Great Bend-Brit Spaugh Zoo. Like people, the animals will be coming out to enjoy the nicer weather. Other locations include: The Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands, the Kansas Wetlands Education Center, Vets Park, Heartland Farm, Barton County Historical Society Museum and Village, B-29 Memorial Plaza, Wetlands Water Park, Kansas Oil & Gas Museum and Jack Kilby Memorial,
Great Bend also plays host to many events through out the year as well, these include the Spring Expo, SRCA Drag Races, Farm & Ranch Expo, KWEC Wild Goose Chase, KSHSAA Baseball, Art & Wine Walk, KCAC Tournament, Cinco De Mayo on the Square, SRCA Drag Races Lucas Oil Division five Thunder on the Plains, June Jaunt, Firework Show, Barton County Fair, Movie on the Square, Sidewalk Sale, Party in the Park, Wine in the Wild, Hahn Brothers Supercross Shootout and the Renaissance Fair.
For more information call the GBRC at 620-793-3755 or visit the Great Bend City website at visitgreatbend.com.