Congratulations Great Bend and Barton County, you pulled it off this past very busy weekend.

For the cave dwellers out there, Friday through Sunday saw a flurry of activity in the area. There was the first-ever June Jaunt which included events all day Saturday in the Barton County Courthouse Square and Sunday afternoon in Veterans Memorial Park, both in Great Bend, and other activities in Ellinwood. There was the Renaissance Faire as well.

To cap it off, there was beautiful, chamber of commerce weather to welcome the visitors.

Wow, where do we start. The square was packed all day Saturday as residents wandered through the myriad vender and concession booths set up for the June Jaunt. There were games and activities for children, and there was live music and other entertainment. It was so nice to see crowds of people strolling down the sidewalks and to hear the sounds of people having a good time rising from our downtown.

But, it was about more than how much fun had by the attendees. One downtown business reported its Saturday business was increased. Other business owners noted they had customers they’d never seen before walk through their doors. By the way, these business people need to be recognized for their efforts to adjust their hours and staffing to make it easier for jaunt goers.

June Jaunt activities in Ellinwood reported similar success.

The event, billed as a tourism-building project for communities along K-96 from Tribune to Ellinwood, lived up to its billing. This was the fifth of five years for the event.

All of these involved a lot of work on the parts of many individuals. Many of these were volunteers. For your countless hours and dedication, thank you.

To all those who took part in the festivities, thank you as well. You are the ones who made the success possible.

It has been said “there’s nothing to do in Great Bend.” To whomever uttered these words, just open your eyes.

Good job everyone.

Dale Hogg