The Golden Belt Community Concert Association provided a wonderful gift to the community Tuesday when it offered a free show in Jack Kilby Square. The first GBCCA concert of the 2021-2022 season, featuring the Fabulous Equinox All-Stars, was held outdoors where anyone could attend at no charge. The band took the stage in the Moses Memorial Band Shell.

Normally, GBCCA programs are available only to season ticket holders, which number more than 1,000, according to association member Linda Jerke. A good number of those members turned out. People are often encouraged to bring their own seating for programs in the square, but the association rented another 200 chairs from Menges Rentals Inc. of Ellinwood to make sure everyone could be comfortably seated.

The weather was perfect and audience members of all ages enjoyed themselves as the seven-piece swing band (with vocals) from Savannah, Georgia, played big band swing music, crooners and pops. Early autumn weather sure beats some of the summer scorchers we’ve endured this year – and there’s nothing like live music.

The GBCCA has members from many communities in the Golden Belt and beyond, and reciprocal agreements with Dodge City and Garden City allowing members to attend concerts in each of these cities with no extra charge. This was definitely one of the biggest audiences we’ve seen in the square at one time.

This comes after some successful Great Bend Alive! events on Forest Ave. and as efforts are being made to improve downtown storefronts and add new businesses and apartments. Fall is off to a great start in our community.