After being canceled last year due to COVID-19, it was “smooth sailing” for the eighth-annual City of Great Bend Party in the Park this past Saturday in Veterans Memorial Park, Community Coordinator Christina Hayes told the City Council when it met Monday night, noting she was anxious going into the event.

“I thought overall, it was a huge, huge success,” Hayes said. “I’m not going to lie, I was nervous. With the spike in COVID, I didn’t know if people were going to show up.”

But, they did. She estimated that between 2,500 and 3,000 people came for the various events that lasted throughout the day.

“It was a great day,” City Administrator Kendal Francis said. “It was perfect weather.”

City employees go all out for this, Francis said. Many put in extra hours getting things ready or hanging around the day of to make sure it runs smoothly.

He thanked them for their efforts. He also recognized the army of volunteers that helps make it happen.

Before showing a video featuring a compilation of photos shot during the day-long event, Hayes gave a recap.

• There were 17 teams for the Ooze Fest mud volleyball tournament sponsored by the Great Bend Recreation Commission.

The repeat winning team was Tough Mudders. Second place went to We Beat It, You Eat It.

• “The kites finally got up, Did you hear me? The kites finally got up,” she said of the Mega Kite Display, also sponsored by the GBRC. In recent years, there has not been enough breeze to get them airborne.

The demonstration was put on by Great American Kites.

• In all, there were 11 entries in the Wet-Dry Parade. That may seem small, but Hayes said it takes time for people to grasp the concept of the parade, which features the first stretch in traditional parade fashion and a conclusion with a massive water fight.

They took the idea from a city in Colorado and officials there said it took eight years for it to become popular. Now, thousands of people attend.

• There were three entries in the Anything that Floats Race sponsored by the Kiwanis Club. Interns from Hayes’ office won on a raft made of air mattresses and a kiddie pool held together by Gorilla Glue.

The crew consisted of interns Sayler Peplinski, Brynn Mermis and future intern Kylie McCormick.

• The total of 82 cars in the car show was a typical number, she said. There have been as many as 102, but this year was an average turnout.

• The Optimist Club said the inflatable play equipment were busy all day.

• At the afternoon’s doughnut eating contest was a hit as well. The winners were: 18 and older, Andrew Tucker; 17 and under, Jaselyn Werth; and the winning team was Jessilyn Simonson and Bailey Foster.

• There were 800 people who showed up for the evenings concerts that featured Ricky Fugitt, Homebrew and Sunny Sweeney.

• The fireworks display between the final two concert performances was also popular.

“It was another real big win,” she said. “It was a great event.”

There were two minor bumps, she said, both  were things they’d never experienced in the past. There were people trying to jumping over the fence to get into the concerts and there were crank calls to a grocery store about the city ordering 100 pounds of hamburger.

Dating back to 2013, the idea for the party stemmed from citywide festivals held in years gone by when citizens would gather in public places and celebrate summer, harvest or just the joys of living in a small town. Now, the city is bringing that vibe back. 

For more information, visit the Explore Great Bend Facebook page or email Hayes at chayes@greatbendks.net.