The end of November brought Explore Great Bend Month to a close and many of the retail businesses that took part said it was a great success, Great Bend Community Coordinator Christina Hayes told the City Council Monday night.
Shoppers were encouraged to visit local stores and register for a cash drawing. The $1,000 winner was Derinda Folkerts from Great Bend, the $500 winner was Travis Straub from Pawnee Rock and the $250 winner was Mary Irick from Great Bend.
Plans are already in the works for next year, she said.
Also, Great Bend officially launched its Christmas celebration this past Saturday.
According to Hayes, the Holiday Parade drew an estimated 3,000 people. Kustom Floor Designs served 1,200 hot dogs within an hour, the Masonic Lodge gave away 215 small funnel cakes, and Foundry United Methodist Church gave away 250 cups of coffee and 250 cups of hot chocolate with cookies.
The cookie contest had 121 participants and the city and Rosewood Services raised $605 to give to the Barton County Food Bank.
Plus, “stores had people in and out of them both Friday and Saturday,” Hayes said.
But, its not over, she said. “There are still a lot of fun and festive activities happening in Great Bend this Holiday season. Don’t forget to get out and explore Great Bend and support the businesses that choose our beautiful city year round.”
Speaking of the holidays, Hayes said volunteers are still needed to act as greeters for the Trail of Lights. Open dates include Dec. 9, 10, 11, 16, 23 and 24.
Also during the meeting, City Administrator Howard Partington gave his departmental update. Highlights included:
 Public Works
• Crack sealed airport runway and Amber Meadows.
• Finished bike path signs and painted bike emblems on roadway.
• Finished mowing the flood control levee for this year.
• Swept the down town area for the Christmas parade.
• Filled in the mud volley ball pits Vet’s Park. This is done to help keep the weeds from taking over.
• Helped with the Christmas Parade traffic control.
• Kansas Avenue water well back on line.
• Sanitarian: 953 year to date complaints, 42 complaints completed by citizens, nine abatement notices sent, two abatements performed and 17 vehicles into compliance.
Fire/EMS/Inspection
• City Inspector Lee Schneider is reviewing plans for the St. Rose medical office building.
• The new code enforcement officer Stuart Baker started Monday.
• Fire Department participated in the Christmas Parade.
Administration
• The Levitt Music Series Grant voting process is over, we came in at 18th place in the number of votes, but there is still hope for Great Bend, Partington said. The votes are part of a point system in which determines the top 10 awarded. They will announce the winners on Dec. 15.
• A thank you was extended to the Beautification Committee for its donation of the metal Christmas art work in 13 flower pot locations in downtown.