Texas ice sculptor Reverend Butter wowed audiences Saturday during the 2021 Home For the Holidays celebration in downtown Great Bend, said Christina Hayes, Convention and Visitors Bureau director and community coordinator. He’s already signed up for a bigger show in 2022.
“The Home for the Holidays Festival was a HUGE success!!” Hayes said. “The turnout was great! The parade crowd might have been down but the number of people in the square after the parade was definitely up thanks to Reverend Butter and all the activities.”
There was also live music and free hot chocolate, hot dogs and funnel cakes. Free “train” rides were offered and the Mayor’s Christmas Tree was lit. The evening parade ended with the arrival of Santa Claus.
Foundry Methodist Church had a Nativity photo booth, where people could receive a free photo placing themselves with the Holy Family in the manger.
Earlier in the day, shoppers could take part in the Cookie Contest, which was again won by A440 Music.
Parade winners
The Home for the Holidays Parade winners were:
Euphoria Dance Group – Best Youth Group
First United Methodist Church – Best Theme and Best Church Group
Sunflower Diversified Services – Best Club Float
The Prescott Grass Puppies – Best Private Entry
Cub Scout Pack 157 – Best Grand Marshal Pick, chosen by Sheryl Cheely, the 2021 Grand Marshal
Reverend Butter will return
Reverend Butter will be back for the 2022 Home for the Holidays festival on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
“I cannot wait to bring back Reverend Butter and another sculptor for an ‘ice war’ and we will bring fire breathers so it will be a ‘Fire & Ice Festival’ at the Home for the Holidays festival next year to celebrate the 150th of the City,” Hayes said.
Other winners
Michael Dawes with Rosewood Services reports that winners of the Window Contest (for best-decorated windows downtown) were:
First - Amy Habigar, Yours Truly Kids at Heart at Yours Truly and Floral, 2017 Lakin Ave., with the theme “Enchanted Christmas Dreams.”
Second - Pan Tracy, 1520 Main, with the theme “Christmas Wishes.”
Third - Jean Claire with Golden Belt Humane Society at The Gallery, 2021 Forest Ave., with the theme “The Animals Christmas Eve.”
Hayes said the big winners for Saturday’s Explore Great Bend drawings were Robin Linsner, $1,000; Susan Wilson, $500; and Marsha George, $250. There were 10 $50 winners as well.
