The sunny weather on Saturday was a treat for families that turned out of the annual Halloween Parade on Main Street.
Hundreds of costumed kids circled the Barton County Courthouse and walked to Main Street businesses for early trick-or-treating. Many parents and at least one dog were also in costume.
Josh and Laura Blankenship brought their dog Apollo, an English Mastiff, who sported a red lion’s mane. Josh said Apollo was rescued from a shelter three months ago but wasn’t fazed by the costume or the crowd. “He’s a chill dog.”
The Blankenships also brought their children, 5-year-old Jackson, who was dressed as a T-Rex, and 9-year-old Lincoln, who was dressed as Harry Potter.
Jason and Kristy Welcher and their son Jace made their costumes a team effort; Jason was french fries, Kristy was a hamburger, and 4-year-old Jace was the Hamburglar.
“I always try to do family things,” Kristy said; that is, for as long as the kids will go along with it. Their daughter Kate, 11, was in the parade with them as an unrelated character, Rabbit Raider, from the video game Fortnite Battle Royale. Last year, three of the Blankenships came as a cookie, a glass of milk and the Cookie Monster.
Other grown-ups in coordinated costumes included the butterfly sisters Andrea Bauer and Ashlea Noonan, who came to the parade with six kids and an aunt or two. “There’s a whole crew of us,” Noonan said.
Several grandparents were also in attendance. Roberto Hernandez said he has lived in Great Bend for almost 30 years but it was his first time to attend the Halloween Parade. This year he brought his 3-year-old grandson Logan, who was dressed as Spider-Man.
The parade is always held on the Saturday before Halloween and is sponsored by the Great Bend Noon Kiwanis. President Kate Wary said the club brought at least 800 pieces of candy and it was nearly gone in less than an hour. Other volunteers included the two Aktion Clubs sponsored by the local Kiwanis, and the Barton County Young Professionals. Wary is also a BCYP member and she said they brought some trick-or-treat bags and other items for kids.
