There will be a lot going on in downtown Great Bend this summer, Community Coordinator Christina Hayes told the City Council Monday night. The council approved several street closures and took other action to accommodate the festivities at Hayes’ request.
June Jaunt
“It’s time to focus on June Jaunt,” Hayes said, adding the schedule is almost complete. They have approximately 50 different “events” scheduled for the June 5-6 weekend, ranging from live music to venders and other entertainment.
“The City of Great Bend, businesses, organizations and individuals have all stepped up and produced an amazing line up for June 5-7,2015,”she said. “Heritage is the major theme this year, but we still have a lot of modern fun.”
In regards to the Jaunt, the requests were:
• June Jaunt Cruise night is scheduled for Friday, June 5, to team up with the free outdoor movie portion of June Jaunt. In order to line up and get the cruise started, Hayes requested that Lakin Avenue be closed from 3-8 p.m. on June 5 get the cars lined up for the official cruise, parking spots would then need to be blocked off around the square for the car show and gathering that evening.
• She also requested that the north half of Lakin Avenue be closed all from 7 a.m. to midnight on Saturday, June 6, to accommodate vendors and entertainment acts and trailers. This is the process that was done last year for the Jaunt, and one way traffic worked out just fine.
This year, she said they are adding the Art Block with the help of Petr’s Framehouse. Over 25 different artists will provide a half block on 16th Street of “culture, beauty and fun” between Williams Street and Main. Only the east portion of the block will be needed and barricades requested.
She requested this street closure from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 6.
Petitions have been signed by the all adjacent businesses.
Also authorized was a motion to allow people to be in Jack Kilby Square between 10 p.m. and midnight on both June 5 and June 6 for June Jaunt events.
Summer Street Stroll
The Summer Street Stroll Farmers Market is back, Hayes said.
The council granted permission to host the Summer Street Stroll Farmers Markets each Thursday night in Jack Kilby Square from June 5 to Sept. 12 and authorized people to be in Jack Kilby Square between 10 p.m. to Midnight on June 5, July 16, and either Aug. 13 or 24 for the free outdoor movie in the park.
“It’s continuing to get bigger and better,” she said. “Aside from providing the public with fresh fruits, veggies, arts and crafts, we are providing the public with an opportunity to stroll our beautiful downtown and make memories.”
Last year, Great Bend became part of the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program which gave access to senior citizens with income restrictions monies each month to purchase fresh fruits and produce from our market vendors who were licensed. For three years Great Bend has finally been on the state list for sanctioned Farmers Markets only because of the Thursday Night Summer Street Stroll and obeying the State of Kansas strict set of rules.
“Thanks to the Barton County Health Departments partnership with that, our Summer Street Stroll is on the list with the State of Kansas as a successful farmers market,” Hayes said.
The City of Great Bend along Waters True Value have partnered for free outdoor movie nights. This year Hayes said they have chosen three dates for the films. These include:
• Friday, June 5: “An American Tail”
• Thursday, July 16: “E.T.”
• Friday, Aug. 13 or 24, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” (the original)
