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 at the Brit Spaugh Zoo Friday and in the Barton County Courthouse Square all day Saturday in Great Bend, and other activities in Ellinwood. There was the Nex-Tech Zoo Fest at Brit Spaugh Saturday afternoon. And, there was a 49-team Hap Dumont Baseball Tournament in town 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 double normal. 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 first of five years for the event.
Also Saturday, Nex-Tech representatives said they went through 1,000 hot dogs during their annual Zoo Fest. There were lines of kids and their parents waiting to take part.
And, lastly, woe to anyone looking for a motel room in Great Bend this weekend. With 49 baseball teams and the other events in town, most rooms were booked. By the way, it is doubtful this tourney would have been possible without the new Great Bend Sports Complex. It is already starting to pay for itself.
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