Nothing says “I love you” better than a snarky remark splayed across a lighted street-side sign.

Last February, Convention and Visitors Bureau Director/Community Coordinator Christina Hayes ignited a sign war that engulfed Great Bend and Barton County. 

Businesses exchanged friendly barbs in what wound up garnering much media attention, and gained over 8 million views on Facebook.

This coming week, the City of Great Bend is throwing down the gauntlet once again. 

“Mayor Cody Schmidt, City Administrator Kendal Francis and I have decided to make a proclamation for the City of Great Bend and beyond,” Hayes said.

It notes the first part of February should focus on Valentine’s Day and love for all. But, Feb. 15 through 28 of each year “will officially be time to throw those salty remarks for some fun and it will be always known as the Great Bend sign war time,” she said.

“That’s going to be a lot of fun,” she said. 

“The sign war was a fun idea that came from a community in Wisconsin,” she said. The city decided to kick it off with the Events Center sign, and Best Western helped get it rolling. 

“It ended up so much better than they imagined,” Hayes said. Everyone had a good time, and a large number of people participated and figured out a ways to get involved.

They were surprised at the distance and speed it traveled around Barton County when they invited the surrounding towns to join. “There were comments that everyone enjoyed it, and they shared it on social media,” she said.

“What we love is the fun banter and just the awareness of our businesses it creates,” she said. “We wanted to make it a thing and see where it goes each year.” 

They want people to tag #gbsignwar again so people can search all the posts.