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.
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 9
32nd annual Kids Ag Day
Area 4th-grade ag field day at the Great Bend Expo.
THURSDAY, Sept. 10
Great Bend Chamber Coffee hosted by The Center for Counseling & Consultation
9 a.m. at 2015 16th St.
Hoisington Chamber Coffee hosted by Kans 4 Kids
9 a.m. at their location.
Genealogy Thursday
11 a.m. to noon at the Great Bend Public Library, 1409 Williams St., Main Floor.
FRIDAY, Sept. 11
25th anniversary of 9/11 attacks
Ellinwood Chamber Coffee hosted by Ellinwood School/Community Library
10 a.m. at the library, 210 N. Schiller Ave.
Citywide Garage Sales
Shafer Art Gallery Exhibit Reception
4-6 p.m. at the gallery, located in the Fine Arts Building at Barton Community College. The Shafer Gallery will unveil its annual “Friends and Acquaintances” exhibit, which features the work of local artists and friends of the gallery. This year’s spotlight artist will be Gracie Bronson. Light refreshments will be served. The Gallery is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The exhibit will run through Oct. 30.
Test and Tune Grudge
7:30-11 p.m. at the SRCA Dragstrip. Gates open at 6 p.m.
SATURDAY, Sept. 12
Farmers Market
7 a.m. to noon in the Great Bend Public Library parking lot, 1409 Williams St.
Citywide Garage Sales
Coffee & Conversation with your legislator
8-10 a.m. at the Zarah Coffee Shop, 1216 Main, with Rep. Dr. Sherri Brantley.
Autism Workshop
8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. at Barton Community College, Fine Arts Auditorium. Sponsored by Pilot Club of Great Bend. Featured speaker Amy Nelson will present “Sensory and Play: Understanding Autism and Other Neurodivergent Conditions.”
Alltex Gun & Knife Show
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Great Bend Events Center.
Adopt-A-Pet
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bomgaars, 5310 10th St. Fundraiser lunch: Roast beef, baked beans, chips, cookies and water for a minimum $10 donation. Proceeds benefit the Golden Belt Humane Society.
Summit Points Race #8
2 p.m. time trials at the SRCA Dragstrip. Gates open at noon.
SUNDAY, Sept. 13
Alltex Gun and Knife Show
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Great Bend Events Center, 3111 10th St.
MONDAY, Sept. 14
Heritage Seniors Club potluck dinner
Noon at Heritage Senior Center, 103 N. Main, Ellinwood. It is open to anyone who wishes to attend.
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 (Sept. 14-17). Actual classes will start the following week on Sept. 21 or 22 depending on which schedule students prefer. Contact: Gina Owen, 620-786-7565.
Public Information Open House for proposed Solar Project in Pawnee County.
6-8 p.m. at the Larned Area Chamber of Commerce Jordaan Room, 502 Broadway, Larned. Ark Valley LLC has proposed a 145 MWac solar energy project in Pawnee County. Community members and landowners are invited to stop by any time during the open house to learn more about the project and ask questions. Learn more at www.ibvenergy.com, email colton.vaughan@ibvenergy.com.
TUESDAY, Sept. 15
Barton County Commission
9 a.m. at the courthouse.
Trust Company Open House
4-6 p.m. at 2009 Forest Ave. Celebrate the wealth management company’s opening of a Great Bend branch.
Pawnee County Joint Planning & Zoning Commission Public Hearing on Ark Valley Solar
7 p.m. at the Pawnee County Courthouse, 1st Floor Lounge, 715 Broadway, Larned.
THURSDAY, Sept. 17
Great Bend Chamber Coffee hosted by Sunflower Diversified Services
9 a.m. at Westside Market, 5523 10th St. Program at 9:30 a.m.
Hoisington Chamber Coffee hosted by Emmanual Luther Church
9 a.m. at their location.
Genealogy Thursday
11 a.m. to noon at the Great Bend Public Library, 1409 Williams St., Main Floor.
Performing Arts Faculty Recital
5:30 p.m. at the Fine Arts Auditorium, Barton Community College. Fine Arts inspire the Performing Arts in this special collaborative event where the Barton Arts Faculty perform and present their work. Refreshments will be served at a reception following this free event.
Barton Community College Writers’ Workshop
6-7:30 p.m. in the Cavanaugh Room of the Barton Community College Learning Resource Center and via Zoom at https://bartonccc-edu.zoom.us/my/brownj.
FRIDAY, Sept. 18
69th Annual Kansas Area 25 Conference
All day at the Great Bend Events Center. Register and find full schedule at KS-AA.org
SATURDAY, Sept. 19
Farmers Market
7 a.m. to noon in the Great Bend Public Library parking lot, 1409 Williams St.
45th Annual Central Kansas Toy Run
9 a.m. registration, 10 a.m. kickstands up at Rythem and Brews, Great Bend. Sponsored by The Men M.C.
HopeFest
All day in Jack Kilby Square and at the Crest Theatre. Sponsored by The Center for Counseling and Consultation, HopeFest brings people together to celebrate recovery, honor remembrance, and strengthen prevention efforts – creating connection, reducing stigma, and inspiring hope. Featuring: Live music, speakers and presenters, interactive experiences, art walk, remembrance ceremony, kids’ activities, wellness activities and food trucks. Activities throughout the day will cater to different age groups to ensure something for everyone.
69th Annual Kansas Area 25 Conference
All day at the Great Bend Events Center. Register and find full schedule at KS-AA.org
2nd Annual Early Childhood Experience: Wheels and Squeals
9 a.m. to noon in the Technical Building parking lot at the northeast corner of the Barton Community College campus. Free family event for children up to 8 years old. Booths & activities, petting zoo, Touch a Truck & Tractors, police cars & firetrucks, welding simulator and birdhouse building.
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
2-5 p.m. at 1405 N. Main St., Great Bend.
Comedian Mark Lundholm
6:30 p.m. at the Crest Theatre.
Quilts of Valor presentation
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.
SUNDAY, Sept. 20
69th Annual Kansas Area 25 Conference
All day at the Great Bend Events Center. Register and find full schedule at KS-AA.org
MONDAY, Sept. 21
Donate blood to the American Red Cross
11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at St. Rose Auditorium, 1412 Baker Ave.
Wheatland Electric’s ‘Taco ’Bout EVs’
4:30-6:30 p.m. at Great Bend High School’s Memorial Stadium, 2027 Morton St., in conjunction with the freshman and junior varsity football games. Get a close-up look at EVs, enjoy complimentary tacos, and enter to win a 550-watt, pet-friendly scooter valued at $500.
Great Bend City Council Meeting
5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 1209 Williams St. and livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/cityofgreatbend.
TUESDAY, Sept. 22
Barton County Commission
9 a.m. at the courthouse.
THURSDAY, Sept. 24
Great Bend Chamber Coffee hosted by United Way of Central Kansas
9 a.m. at ??? Program at 9:30 a.m.
Genealogy Thursday
11 a.m. to noon at the Great Bend Public Library, 1409 Williams St., Main Floor.
NHRA Div 5 ET Finals
At the SRCA Dragstrip
FRIDAY, Sept. 25
Dolly Day (9/25)
NHRA Div 5 ET Finals
At the SRCA Dragstrip
Final Fridays on Forest
5-10 p.m., 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. Music by the band Crazy Horse 2.0.
Military and First Responders Night Out
6-8 p.m. at 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, Sept. 26
Farmers Market
7 a.m. to noon in the Great Bend Public Library parking lot, 1409 Williams St.
NHRA Div 5 ET Finals
At the SRCA Dragstrip
KWEC 13th Annual Butterfly Festival
9 a.m. to noon at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center.
Sixteenth Annual Barton Foundation Sporting Clay Shoot Fundraiser:
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Camp Aldrich, 884 NE 110 Ave. Claflin; fundraiser for Barton faculty mini-grants; flighted sporting clay shoot competition for individuals or four-person teams; entry fee is $100 per person. 9 a.m., 12 p.m., or 3 p.m. flight times are assigned based on preference requested on a first-come, first-served basis. Hamburger bar is provided for those who pre-register by September 15. Fees include 100 sporting clays. Visit clayshoot.bartonccfoundation.org to register. Registrations are non-refundable. Contact: Foundation Office, (620) 786-1136
Creative Kids Camp
2-5 p.m. at the Fine Arts Building, Barton Community College. Children aged 3-12 years will love this creative camp! The camp includes classes taught by Barton Dance student in Dance, Visual Art, Tumbling, and Acting, plus a snack and movie time at the end. Theme TBA. The camp is a fundraiser for Barton Dance Theatre to attend the American College Dance Conference. Contact: Danika Bielek 620-792-9253.
Books, Barbecue & Beats
4-7 p.m. at the Idea Long Memorial Library, 406 N. Monroe, St. John. An adult community event with vendors, barbecue truck, mocktails and a DJ.
SUNDAY, Sept. 27
Open house at the Dominican Sisters of Peace Motherhouse
1:30-3:30 p.m., 3600 Broadway Ave. The Open House includes displays about the Sisters’ history, ministries, and other memorabilia. Tours will be offered of the Sister’s Chapel and the Heritage Room. Come take the opportunity to visit with the Sisters before the Motherhouse closes at the end of 2026.
MONDAY, Sept. 28
Heritage Seniors Club potluck dinner
Noon at Heritage Senior Center, 103 N. Main, Ellinwood. It is open to anyone who wishes to attend.
Program about Pioneering Volga-German Priest
7 p.m. at the Barton County Historical Society, 85 South U.S. 281, Great Bend. Program by the Rev. Reggie Urban.
TUESDAY, Sept. 29
Barton County Commission
9 a.m. at the courthouse.
Great Bend Tribune Women’s Expo
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 30
Larned Laundry Love
3 to 5 p.m. at Santa Fe Laundry Co., 1309 Broadway. Wash up to five loads of laundry for free.
To come
SATURDAY, Oct. 3
Sunflower Diversified Gala
5:30-10 p.m. At the Great Bend Events Center
22nd Annual Rosewood Rodeo
10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Expo III Arena
Family Crisis Center’s 4th Annual Fall Fest
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Jack Kilby Square.
SUNDAY, Oct. 4
Race Week 2.0
Oct. 4-8 at the SRCA Dragstrip.
TUESDAY, Oct. 6
Town Hall meeting
6 p.m. at the Great Bend Events Center
