If you have an event that is open to the public, let us know at least one week in advance. **Paid promotions** are also available. Contact Susan Thacker at the Great Bend Tribune, 2012 Forest Ave., Great Bend, KS 67530; call 620-792-1211 or email sthacker@gbtribune.com.
FRIDAY, April 3
Good Friday
No school
SATURDAY, April 4
Pawnee Valley Community Hospital Cafeteria “Hop Into Easter Fun”
8:30-10:30 a.m. at the cafeteria.
Kiwanis of Great Bend Easter Egg Hunt
9:30 a.m. sharp at Veterans Memorial Park. Hunt by age groups.
Hoisington Community Easter Egg Hunt
10 am. at the Hoisington High School football field. For ages 1-8 years
Candy Blast
Noon at Encounter Church, 601 South Patton Road. Games, music and prize giveaways during indoor activities. As 1 p.m. the fun moves outdoors; kids in 6th grade and younger can gather candy blasted from cannons.
Easter Egg Hunt
2 p.m. at Diversicare, 1114 W. 11th St. in Larned.
SUNDAY, April 5
Easter
MONDAY, April 6
No school
Great Bend City Council meeting
5:30 p.m. at City Hall and live-streamed on the Great Bend City Council Facebook page.
TUESDAY, April 7
Wear Teal Day - for Child Abuse Prevention Month
Barton County Commission meeting
9 a.m. at the courthouse.
Blood Drive - Tate Martin Memorial
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Ellinwood High School.
WEDNESDAY, April 8
Student music recital
5 p.m. at the Dorothy Moses Morrison Chapel, Barton Community College. Instrumental and vocal performances by students of the Barton Music Department. Free event.
Preschool and Kindergarten Pre-Enrollment Night
5-7:30 p.m. at Little Panthers Preschool, 1809 24th St.
GBHS Band Concert
7 p.m. at Great Bend High School, main gym.
THURSDAY, April 9
Great Bend Chamber Coffee hosted by Azria Health Great Bend
9 a.m. at 1560 K-96. Program at 9:30 a.m.
Larned High School Musical Coffee Hour
9:30 a.m. at the LHS Gym, 815 Corse Ave.
Hoisington Chamber Coffee
9:30 a.m. at American Legion Post 286, 204 N. Main St.
Great Bend Chamber Ribbon Cutting
10 a.m. at Baja Burrito, 2520 10th St.
Genealogy Thursday
11 a.m. to noon at the Great Bend Public Library, 1409 Williams St.
FRIDAY, April 10
Ellinwood Chamber Coffee with Kate’s Daily Bread
10 a.m. at the Ellinwood High School Library, 210 E. 2nd St.
Shafer Art Gallery Exhibit Reception
4-6 p.m. at the Shafer Gallery in the Fine Arts Building at Barton Community College, 245 NE 30 Road. The gallery will unveil “Bart Art,” which is its annual showcase of creativity from within the Barton Community College family. Featuring artwork by students, faculty and staff.
“The Journey Back” Holocaust Virtual Reality Exhibit opens
April 10-24 at the Barton Community College Library. The Library is open Sunday: 1-7 p.m.; Monday - Thursday: 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Contact: Barton Library, library@bartonccc.edu or 620-792-9365.
Last day to register for April 18 Tractor Safety Class
Class is at 8:15 a.m. on April 18 at KanEquip, 214 SW 40 Ave., Great Bend. Sponsored by K-State Research and Extension - Cottonwood District. Complete the “Tractor Safety Registration Form” at https://bit.ly/tractorsafety2026. Cost is $15.
SATURDAY, April 11
** Second Saturday Sale at Forest Avenue Antiques**
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 2025 Forest Ave. Storewide sales!
Great Bend High School Prom
9-11 p.m.
5K Run and Zoo Fun for Child Abuse Prevention Month
6:30 a.m. check-in at the Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo; race at 7 a.m. and awards at 9 a.m. Then, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Child Abuse Prevention event with food vendors, family-friendly activities, raffles and prizes. Sponsored by the Family Crisis Center for Child Abuse Prevention Month.
SUNDAY, April 12
Pancake Feed Fundraiser for Trail Life Troop No. 2206
12:30-2 p.m. at Faith Community Family Center, 293 West Barton County Road. Tickets are $8 in advance from a Trailman or $10 at the door. Ages 5 and under eat free. Raffle drawing begins at 1:30 p.m.; need not be present to win.
Barton County Historical Society Volunteer Orientation
2 p.m. at the BCHS Museum, 85 South U.S. 281, Great Bend.
MONDAY, April 13
Heritage Seniors Club potluck dinner
Noon at Heritage Senior Center, 103 N. Main, Ellinwood. It is open to anyone who wishes to attend.
Great Bend USD 428 Board of Education meeting
5 p.m. at the District Education Center, 1809 24th St.
TUESDAY, April 14
Barton County Commission meeting
9 a.m. at the courthouse.
BCC Enrollment Days
1 p.m. and 6 p.m. at Barton Community College. Check-in at the Kirkman Visitor Center. Students can plan and enroll in their classes with an advisor, meet with a financial aid officer and finalize payment options. Visit enroll.bartonccc.edu to sign up.
Rock Against Rape/Music Bingo
7-9:30 p.m. at Rhythm and Brews, 1210 Main. Cost to play is $25. This event is part of the Family Crisis Center’s activities for Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
WEDNESDAY, April 15
BCC Enrollment Days
9 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Barton Community College. Check-in at the Kirkman Visitor Center. Students can plan and enroll in their classes with an advisor, meet with a financial aid officer and finalize payment options. Visit enroll.bartonccc.edu to sign up.
THURSDAY, April 16
Great Bend Chamber Coffee hosted by Wheatland Electric
9 a.m. at 200 10th St. Program at 9:30 a.m.
Hoisington Chamber Coffee hosted by Hoisington Public Library
9:30 a.m. at 169 S. Walnut St.
Great Bend Chamber Ribbon Cutting for Cleaning by Jess
10 a.m. at the Chamber office, 1125 Williams St.
Genealogy Thursday
11 a.m. to noon at the Great Bend Public Library, 1409 Williams St., Main Floor.
Great Bend Chamber After-Hours hosted by Nex-Tech Wireless
5-7 p.m. at 2827 10th St. The community is invited to celebrate Nex-Tech Wireless’s 20th Anniversary.
FRIDAY, April 17
Ellinwood Chamber Coffee with Ellinwood Rise
10 a.m., location to be announced.
Golden Belt Community Concert Association presents The Suits
7-9 p.m. at Great Bend Municipal Auditorium, Lake and Stone Streets. The Echoes from the Past season continues with hit music from the ’50s through the ’80s. Open to Golden Belt Community Concert Association members.
SATURDAY, April 18
St. John Community Garage Sale
8 a.m. to noon. Map available at the library.
Tractor Safety Class
8:15 a.m. at KanEquip, 214 SW 40 Ave., Great Bend. Sponsored by K-State Research and Extension - Cottonwood District.
Seed Swap
10 a.m. to noon at the Great Bend Public Library, 1409 Williams St. Pick up free seeds for your garden; bring seeds to share if you have extras.
Free Open Farm Day at Heartland Farm
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1049 CR 390, Pawnee Rock. Learn more at http://heartlandfarm-ks.org.
Great Bend Laundry Love
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Discount Laundry, 924 Jefferson St. Wash up to five loads of laundry for free. Sponsored by United Way of Central Kansas.
Golden Belt Model Railroad Association
1-6 p.m. at 1405 N. Main St., Great Bend.
GBHS Theatre
2-4 p.m. in Jack Kilby Commons at Great Bend High School.
Quilts of Valor
6:45 p.m. at American Legion Post 180, 1011 Kansas Ave. Veterans will be honored with handmade Quilts of Valor in a special presentation recognizing their service and sacrifice.
High School Playwright Festival
7:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Auditorium at Barton Community College. Staged readings of 10-minute play performances that were winning playwright submissions. Free event.
MONDAY, April 20
Adult Education Orientation Session
Time determined by student choice, at the Center for Adult Education, 1025 Main St., Great Bend. Students must attend all four sessions (April 20-23). Actual classes will start the following week on April 27 or 28 depending on which schedule students prefer. Contact: Gina Owen, 620-786-7565.
Heritage Seniors Club potluck dinner
Noon at Heritage Senior Center, 103 N. Main, Ellinwood. It is open to anyone who wishes to attend.
Great Bend City Council Meeting
5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 1209 Williams St. and livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/cityofgreatbend.
Fall prevention talk in Hoisington
6:30 p.m. The Hoisington Public Library, 169 S. Walnut, will host a Fall Prevention talk in conjunction with Clara Barton Medical Center at the library. Call 620-653-4128 for more information.
Free Women’s Jiu Jitsu Self Defense Class
6-8 p.m. at Central Kansas Dream Center, 2100 Broadway Ave. Free class led by Nick Taylor and sponsored by the Family Crisis Center for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. FCC will provide free childcare and a 5 p.m. dinner at no cost.
TUESDAY, April 21
Barton County Commission meeting
9 a.m. at the courthouse.
Spring Music Concert
7:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Auditorium at Barton Community College, 245 NE 30 Road. Choir, jazz and instrumental ensembles. Free event.
WEDNESDAY, April 22
BCC Enrollment Days
9 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Barton Community College. Check-in at the Kirkman Visitor Center. Students can plan and enroll in their classes with an advisor, meet with a financial aid officer and finalize payment options. Visit enroll.bartonccc.edu to sign up.
Student Music Recital
5 p.m. in the Dorothy Moses Morrison Chapel at Barton Community College. Instrumental and vocal performances by students of the Barton Music Department. Free event.
THURSDAY, April 23
Great Bend Chamber Coffee hosted by Nex-Tech
9 a.m. at 3700 10th St. Program at 9:30 a.m.
Hoisington Chamber Coffee
9:30 a.m. at Park View Inn & Suites, 57 K-4.
Great Bend Chamber Ribbon Cutting
10:15 a.m. at Quick & Right Roofing, 1500 10th St.
Prairie Ink Release Party
Time TBD in the Cavanaugh Room at the Barton Community College Library. Program will feature comments from editorial staff and select readings from issue 17 contributing authors.
Golden Belt Community Concert Association presents Live From Laurel Canyon
7-9 p.m. at the Great Bend Municipal Auditorium, Lakin and Stone Streets. The Echoes from the Past season continues with live music and narrated stories from the most influential songwriters who lived in Laurel Canyon, Calif., in the mid ’60s and ’70s. You must be a member of the Golden Belt Community Concert Association to attend.
FRIDAY, April 24
“The Journey Back” Holocaust virtual reality exhibit final day.
7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Barton Community Barton Library. Provided by the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center in Chicago, this virtual reality experience combines immersive 360-degree cinematography, animation, photographic mapping, and sound creating an unforgettable experience. Contact: Barton Library, library@bartonccc.edu or 620-792-9365.
Final Fridays on Forest
5-10 p.m. at Great Bend Alive Plaza (the 2000 block of Forest Avenue, west of the courthouse). The street closes to vehicular traffic at 1 p.m. Free family-friendly outdoor entertainment downtown. Food and alcohol vendors. No smoking; no pets.
Military and First Responders Night Out
6-8 p.m. at Dropping 22, 916 Williams St. This is a free evening of child care for children 6-12 years old, for all military and first responders. Snacks and games/activities provided. Preregistration is required; just shoot an email to Dropping22ks@gmail.com or call 620-786-0687.
SATURDAY, April 25
State Music Festival
All day. Select Great Bend High School orchestra, band and vocal music students will attend.
BCC Enrollment Days
9 a.m. at Barton Community College. Check-in at the Kirkman Visitor Center. Students can plan and enroll in their classes with an advisor, meet with a financial aid officer and finalize payment options. Visit enroll.bartonccc.edu to sign up.
Drug Take-Back Day in Larned
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Larned Police Department, 419 Broadway Street. All medication collected will be sent to the DEA for destruction. They cannot accept aerosols such as inhalers, diabetic needles or syringes.
Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo’s 5th Annual Earth Day Celebration
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Zoo, 2123 Main St.
MONDAY, April 27
Heritage Seniors Club potluck dinner
Noon at Heritage Senior Center, 103 N. Main, Ellinwood. It is open to anyone who wishes to attend.
TUESDAY, April 28
Barton County Commission meeting
9 a.m. at the courthouse.
Great Bend USD 428 6-8th-Grade Band Spring Concert
7 p.m. at Great Bend High School.
Rock Against Rape/Music Bingo
7-9:30 p.m. at Rhythm and Brews, 1210 Main. Cost to play is $25. This event is part of the Family Crisis Center’s activities for Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
WEDNESDAY, April 29
Denim Day for Sexual Assault Awareness Month
All day community-wide. Business owners are asked to allow employees to wear jeans and donate a personal-hygiene item to survivors in the Family Crisis Center shelter.
Larned Laundry Love
3 to 5 p.m. at Santa Fe Laundry Co., 1309 Broadway. Wash up to five loads of laundry for free.
THURSDAY, April 30
Great Bend Chamber Coffee hosted by Equity Bank
9 a.m. at their new location, 4101 10th St. Program at 9:30 a.m.
Hoisington Chamber Coffee
9:30 a.m. at St. John Parish Center, 108 E. 5th St.
Community Baby Shower
4-6:30 p.m. at the Hoisington Activity Center, 1200 Susank Road. Hosted by Barton County Health Department, Clara Barton Hospital, and Kansas Children’s Service League.
Ellinwood Chamber After Hours (tentative date)
5:30 p.m. at St. John’s Child Development, 615 N. Main St. A.
Moving in the Heartland Dance Festival
6:30 p.m. at the Barton Community College Fine Arts Auditorium. Representing dance in the region, it will feature Barton’s Dance Department and guest Kansas dance groups. The two-night festival will continue on Friday, May 1. For more information, visit shows.bartonccc.edu.
