Great Bend High School students, community volunteers and Great Bend Recreation Commission staff will transform the City Auditorium into Santa’s Workshop on Monday, Dec. 3. The 22nd annual Santa’s Workshop will be held from 6-8 p.m. in the City Auditorium. People will enter through the doors located on the southwest corner of the auditorium.

This free Christmas event is designed for preschool through sixth graders and their families, and those young at heart, said Garet Fitzpatrick, GBRC program coordinator. Once inside, children can proceed to fun booths for food, craft activities and candy treats.

Santa will make an appearance. There will be free popcorn, candy, prizes and balloons.

The Great Bend Middle School Jazz Band, Middle School String Rhapsody and El Sol Mexican Folk Dancers will perform during the evening.

Mini-workshop for preschoolers

The Parents As Teachers, Parent Teacher Resource Center (PTRC), Sunflower Early Education Center and Great Bend Public Library Children’s Department will provide a mini Santa’s Workshop designed for preschoolers in the Burnside Room of the Recreation Center, 1214 Stone St. For this event, enter through the northeast door of the Burnside Room. 

Santa's helpers

Santa needs a lot of helpers to coordinate an event such as this. Students from the Great Bend High School Presidents Club, Student Council, National Honor Society, World Language Club, Educators Rising Now, DECA, Kays, Kayettes, FBLA, FFA, JAG-K, Pep Club, Theatre Club, Art Club, BCC Sports Medicine Staff, Barton County Sheriff’s Department, Great Bend Fire/EMS Department, Great Bend Police Department, representatives from the GBHS Freshman, Sophomore, Junior and Senior classes and the Great Bend Recreation Commission will be helping with this event.  

More than two dozen local businesses and organizations have also contributed to this event.