By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Girl Scouts teamwork leads to winning float
new vlc girlscout float in parade
Girls Scouts from Barton, Pawnee and Rush counties created a float for last Saturdays Home for the Holidays Parade. They won first place in the youth category and were the Grand Marshals pick of the parade. - photo by Photo by Veronica Coons/Great Bend Tribune

Girl Scouts from three counties worked together to create a winning float in Saturday’s Home for the Holidays Parade in Great Bend.
The Saint Francis Community Services float took top honors in the Holiday Spirit and Theme Float categories, with Nex-Tech running a close second, said Sarah Krom from Sunflower Diversified Service, sponsor of the annual parade. This year’s theme was “Santa’s Workshop.”


“Both (St. Francis Community Services and Nex-Tech) depicted elves hard at work at the North Pole and had dazzling light displays as they made their way down Main Street,” Krom said. “An extraordinary fall day set the stage for a fantastic evening parade.”
Girl Scouts Service Unit 111 – Sunflower Central (Barton, Pawnee and Rush counties) won first place in the youth category. Their float was also the Grand Marshals’ pick of Best in Parade. Dean and Lily Akings served as grand marshals.


Girl Scouts spokesman Darcy Gray said “they worked really hard” to create a float based on the theme, which counted for up to half of the judges’ points. The description they submitted for their float entry explains, “Just like Santa’s Elves, the Girl Scouts of Pawnee, Rush and Barton counties often team up to bring a little light to everyone’s life. Not only are the Girl Scouts a team, but when the community shows us support we all become part of the team. We teach our girls hard work and dedication always pay off. Thanks for your support!”
They received two $40 Great Bend Chamber gift certificates that the leaders and girls agreed they’re going to use to treat themselves to some pizza after they go caroling this month at Cedar Park Place, Gray said.
Judges were Jane Isern, Vikki Berryman and Joe Boley.


Here is the complete list of awards in each category:
Business — 1st , Holiday Spirit Traveling Plaque – St Francis Community Services; 2nd, Nex-Tech; 3rd, Ace Hardware
Church — 1st, First United Methodist; 2nd, Foundry Methodist; 3rd; First Church of the Nazarene
Civic/Club — 1st, Golden Belt Humane Society; 2nd, Barton County Historical Society; 3rd, Mid America Mopars
Float — 1st, St. Francis Community Services; 2nd, Nex-Tech; 3rd, Cub Scouts Pack 157
Private — 1st, John Vesteka; 2nd, Dick Freideman; 3rd, ATV Friends
Youth — 1st, Girl Scouts Service Unit 111; 2nd, Boy Scout Cub Pack 157; 3rd, Boy Scout Cub Scout Pack 184