Those who missed the Cinco de Mayo celebration in downtown Great Bend Saturday missed more than a colorful, festive event. They missed the premier of the newly remodeled Jack Kilby Square.

The Clayton L. Moses Memorial Band Shell improvement project included the enlarging of the band shell stage, now named in honor of Thelma Faye Harms, whose charitable trust contributed $300,000 of the $355,700 for the to the effort. 

Now, the final elements of the band shell and splash pad work are being added. There are just a few things left to be done, including completing the landscaping. This should be done prior to June Jaunt on June 2.

The project also included improving handicapped accessibility, improved access for loading and unloading, replacing the restroom roofs, landscaping, lighting and some paving.

A rededication of the band shell is planned for 8:15 p.m. June 1 just before the first Great Bend City Band concert. There may also be a ribbon cutting sometime in the near future.

The band shell dates back to the 1920s and has been a focal point of the community for decades. It has been years since the iconic outdoor venue has been revamped and it was deserving of the tender loving care.  

The work was done with class and dignity, maintaining the original character of the square while bringing it into this century. It now stands poised to serve Great Bend for years to come.

It is worth a visit.

Dale Hogg