Sure, Thanksgiving is in the past now, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be thankful.
Each year, Great Bend garners state and national attention at Christmas time for its Trail of Lights. The twinkling trail winds its way through the city, connecting parks with a ribbon of holiday cheer.
This renowned attraction draws visitors from all over the county. Families make an evening out of touring the lights. “We do this every night. It is a ritual,” one Great Bend woman said as she drove a car full of kids through Brit Spaugh Park.
It also brings in travelers from elsewhere in Kansas and even from other states. A couple from Nebraska made a special trip to Great Bend to see the displays. They even got out and shot a bunch of photos.
Over the years, the trail has become a holiday tradition.
But, its appearance each year is no Christmas miracle performed by Santa or his elves. It just doesn’t spring up magically overnight.
It takes a lot of work from some very dedicated city employees who start early in the fall putting up the decorations. It also takes a lot of effort to prepare the gift bags given to visitors and coordinate the volunteers  needed.
Then, there are the volunteers themselves who brave the bitter cold to man the small booth at Brit Spaugh Park and greet tour takers.
There are a lot of folks involved to make this happen. So, back to the original statement, we should all thank those who make it all possible.
As a side note, with stress of holidays, take time to slow down and tour the lights. It is a colorful way to leave the hectic pace of the season behind and revisit that youthful sense of Christmas awe.
Dale Hogg