Great Bend Renaissance Fair organizer David LeRoy told the Great Bend City Council Monday night that his event is slowly catching on as it prepares to enter its third year.
He asked the city to contribute $500 to the show, which is set for June 30-July 1 at the Great Bend Expo Complex west of town. “This is half of what I asked for last year,” he said, adding he may need some support from the city Parks Department as well.
The show is still not at a break-even point, LeRoy said. “It think it is a different enough of an event that it is taking people time to get used to it.”
But, there were between 700-900 attendees last year. “There’s a lot of interest. There’s a lot of buz.”
LeRoy has struggled to find advertising support and has cut about $3,000 from his operating costs. His goal is to not have to ask for any funding while still bringing in top-notch entertainment and vendors.  
Despite the potential heat, he settled on late June for a number of reasons. First, he can’t go too early because of the weather and in April through May, there are other renaissance events taking place. So, he is left with early summer, and still there are conflicts.
Those who participate either as an attendee or vendor say they enjoy taking part, LeRoy said.