When it comes to looking at Christmas lights, perhaps the first things that come to mind are the Plaza in Kansas City or Botanica in Wichita. Indeed, these are worthy of note.

But, ranking among the great light displays is one a whole lot closer to home. This is, of course, Great Bend’s now-famous Trail of Lights Christmas display. On any given holiday evening, spectators, sometimes totalling over 100 per night, “ooooh” and “awwwww” over the decorations.

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’ve been through several times,” one Great Bend woman said as she drove a car full of kids through Brit Spaugh Park.

It also lures visitors from elsewhere in Kansas and even from other states, sometimes by the bus load.

Over the years, the trail has become a holiday tradition.

But, this spectacle is no Christmas miracle performed by Santa or his elves. It takes a lot of work from some very dedicated city employees who start early in the fall spending weeks 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 stand in the cold to man the small booth at Brit Spaugh Park and greet tourists. 

It takes a lot of folks to make this happen. 

So, take time to slow down and tour our lights. They rival those in larger communities and taking them in is a colorful way to leave the hectic pace of the season behind and revisit that youthful sense of Christmas awe.

While your at it, be grateful for the behind-the-scenes work involved. And, if you are so inclined, please drop some change in the donation bucket.

Maintaining this attraction isn’t cheap. Every little bit helps keep those lights glowing.

Dale Hogg