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 Dee Duryee at the Great Bend Tribune, 2012 Forest Ave., Great Bend, KS 67530; call 620-792-1211 or email dduryee@gbtribune.com.
FRIDAY, April 25
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. Live music from Tim Anthony and the Anamals. Food vendors, including Lumpy’s, Los Dos Portillo’s, Brand 17 BBQ, Lana’s Catering & Goodies, and Flatlanders Stone-fired Pizzas behind Dry Lake Brewing. Gambino’s is joining the festivities this year, offering a pizza buffet from 5-7 PM on Fridays on Forest nights!
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.
Great Bend Community Theatre presents “Packing Up Polly”
7:30 p.m., Crest Theater, 1905 Lakin Ave.
SATURDAY, April 26
National Drug Take Back Day
10 a.m.-2 p.m., Law Enforcement officers, in conjunction with the Health Department, will be set up on the east side of the Courthouse square on Kansas Ave. Unused and outdated drugs may be dropped off into the receptacle for disposal by law enforcement.
Earth Day Celebration at Great Bend Zoo
11 a.m. - 2 p.m., Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo. A come and go event. Great Bend Dairy Queen will issue a coupon for a free small ice cream cone to the first 500 youth participants that day. In addition, there will be giveaways to the first 500 children in attendance. This year’s theme: “Our Power, Our Planet”.
Barton Theatre Production
7:30 p.m., Fine Arts Auditorium, 245 NE 30 Road. The Barton Bards theatre troupe will present “Student Directed One Acts,” a series of one act plays by the Barton Bards, as well as monologues by the acting class. Performers will include students and community members. Admission is free. Contact: Dan Williams, 620-792-9205.
Larned Spring City Wide Garage Sales
Community-wide garage sales.
St. John Community Wide Garage Sales
8 a.m. - noon. Community-wide garage sales and community clean-up.
Princess Tea Party
10-11:30 a.m., Hoisington Public Library, 169 S. Walnut St., Hoisington. Cookies and drinks provided, games and a Princess scavenger hunt. Special guest a Kansas Princess, Miss Southern Plains, Alexis Fleming. (Princess dresses are welcome.
American Legion Family Day
10 a.m.-2 p.m., Argonne Post 180, 1011 Kansas Ave. Face painting, balloon animals, cornhole and treats for kids. GBPD will be on hand to provide Ident-A-Kid packets for parents. Enjoy complimentary sloppy joes and refreshments.
Great Bend Community Theatre presents “Packing Up Polly”
7:30 p.m., Crest Theater, 1905 Lakin Ave.
SUNDAY, April 27
Great Bend Community Theatre presents “Packing Up Polly”
2 p.m., Crest Theater, 1905 Lakin Ave.
Fifteenth Annual Barton Foundation Sporting Clay Shoot Fundraiser
9 a.m.-4 p.m., 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. 9a.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 and early bird gift are provided for those who pre-register by April 10. Fees include 100 sporting clays. Visit clayshoot.bartonccfoundation.org to register. Registrations are non-refundable. Contact: Foundation Office, (620) 786-1136.
Golden Belt Community Concert Association presents “Sail On: The Beach Boys Tribute”
7 p.m., Great Bend Municipal Auditorium. This GBCCA event is open to association members. No single concert tickets are available. Because the association encourages young people’s interest in music and the performing arts, full-time students will be admitted for a $5 donation at the door. Anyone wishing to purchase a membership may come to the GBCCA membership headquarters at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2701 24th St., on Thursday, April 24, from noon to 7 p.m. or Friday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call 620-793-2748.
TUESDAY, April 29
Hoisington Library - Kansas Forest Service
2-3 p.m., Hoisington Library, 169 S. Walnut St. Join us for a Kansas Forest Service presentation.
Larned Area Chamber Coffee Hour
9:30 a.m., Pawnee Valley Community Hospital, 923 Broadway, Larned.
WEDNESDAY, April 30
National Walk @ Lunch Day event
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Hosted by Clara Barton Medical Center, 906 McKinley St. Come and go event. Clara’s Corner Café will provide the first 40 attendees with a complimentary sack lunch and all attendees will have a chance to register to win door prizes. Those participating in National Walk @ Lunch Day are encouraged to post a selfie or group photo, tag the Clara Barton Medical Center Facebook page, and use the hashtag #NWLDKS.
Student Music Recital #3
4:30 p.m., Dorothy Moses Morrison Chapel, 245 NE 30 Road. Instrumental and vocal performances by students of the Barton Music Department. Free event. Contact: Alejandro Avila, (620) 792-9384
Larned Laundry Love
3-5 p.m., Santa Fe Laundry Co., 1309 Broadway. Wash up to five loads of laundry for free.
THURSDAY, May 1
Chamber Coffee: The Center for Counseling and Consultation
9-10 a.m., 2015 16th St. Program begins at 9:30 a.m.
Prairie Godmothers Sip ‘n Savor Supply Drive
4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Crest Theatre, 1905 Lakin Ave. Free come-and-go event will feature local, women-owned vendors serving up delicious appetizer, dessert, and wine samples. Bring donations of personal hygiene items for women in need, or a cash donation. Items will go to partner agencies of the Prairie Godmother Funds of the Golden Belt Community Foundation and the cash will help those agencies stock their supply pantries.
CORE Graduation
6 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 2123 Forest Ave.
FRIDAY, May 2
Lunch and Learn - Self Care with Katherine Hart
12-1 p.m., Ida Long Goodman Library, 406 N. Monroe St., St. John.
Art and Wine Walk
Downtown Great Bend.
“Moving in the Heartland,” Dance Festival Night One
7 p.m., Fine Arts Auditorium. Two-night festival representing dance in the region, featuring Barton’s Dance Department and guest dance groups from Kansas. Tickets are $5. For more information, visit shows.bartonccc.edu. Contact: Danika Bielek, (620) 792-9253.
SATURDAY, May 3
Cinco de Mayo Festival
Great Bend High School Variety Show
7:30 p.m., GBHS Auditorium. Jazz Band Pre-show at 7.
Community Music School Recital
3 p.m., Dorothy Moses Morrison Chapel. End of the semester student recital for children enrolled in Community Music School for the spring 2025 semester. Free event.
“Moving in the Heartland,” Dance Festival Night Two
7 p.m., Fine Arts Auditorium. Two-night festival representing dance in the region, featuring Barton’s Dance Department and guest dance groups from Kansas. Tickets are $5. For more information, visit shows.bartonccc.edu. Contact: Danika Bielek, 620-792-9253.
SUNDAY, MAY 4
Great Bend High School Variety Show
2 p.m., GBHS Auditorium. Jazz Band Pre-show at 1:30.
MONDAY, May 5
Great Bend City Council Meeting
6:30 - 7:30 p.m., City Hall, 1209 Williams.
Moving Forward Grief Support Group
6:30 p.m., Beckwith Mortuary, 916 Main St., Larned. If you are experiencing grief after the loss of a loved one, you are encouraged to attend. Refreshments provided.
THURSDAY, May 8
Chamber Coffee: Legacy Financial Solutions
9-10 a.m., 2001 Broadway Ave. Program begins at 9:30 a.m.
Endowment Concert
7:30 p.m., Fine Arts Auditorium. Join us for a concert featuring vocal and instrumental music groups including the Jazz Ensemble, Orchestra, Choir, and Hilltop Singers. All proceeds go to the Vocal and Instrumental Music Endowment. Tickets are $10 at the door. Contact: Eric Foley, (620) 792-9395.
THURSDAY, May 8
Chamber Coffee: Legacy Financial Solutions
9-10 a.m., 2001 Broadway Ave. Program begins at 9:30 a.m.
FRIDAY, May 9
Bart Art Exhibit Closing
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. This will be the last day for the public to view the “Bart Art” Exhibit featuring pieces from Barton Faculty, Staff, and students. Contact: Richard Lartz, (620) 786-1129.
Medical Laboratory Technology Pinning Ceremony
10 a.m., Dorothy Moses Morrison Chapel, Fine Arts Building, F-157. A reception will follow. Contact: Karen Gunther, guntherka@bartonccc.edu.
BCC Nurse Pinning Ceremony
2:30-3:30 p.m., Fine Arts Auditorium. Contact: Renae Skelton, (620) 792-9357
BCC Paramedic Cording Ceremony
4 p.m., Fine Arts Auditorium. Contact: Nick Larmer, larmern@bartonccc.edu
Barton’s 55th Annual Commencement
7 p.m., Barton Gymnasium. Students who have completed their GED, certificates and/or associate degrees will be recognized. Contact: Lori Crowther, (620) 792-9252
SATURDAY, May 10
Paws & Claws 7th Annual Car Show
10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Brit Spaugh Park & Zoo, N. Main St. Swap meet, vendors, raffle drawings and door prizes. Proceeds go to Adopt A Pet/Golden Belt Humane Society. Free show; entry fee is $25. Contact Cathy Vonfeldt, 620-639-6921.
SUNDAY, May 11
Happy Mother's Day!
Hoisington High School graduation.
TUESDAY, May 13
Barton County Academy graduation
6 p.m., 1705 K-96.
THURSDAY, May 15
Chamber Coffee: Kim Nollette Agency LLC
9-10 a.m., 1925 10th St. Program begins at 9:30 a.m.
BCC Fort Riley Commencement
11 a.m., Riley’s Community Center, 446 Seitz Dr., Fort Riley, Kan. Students who have completed their associate degrees will be recognized. Contact: Megan Chambers, (785)784-6606 Ext. 709
MONDAY, May 19
Great Bend City Council Meeting
6:30 - 7:30 p.m., City Hall, 1209 Williams.
TUESDAY, May 20
Mental Health Awareness Day
3:30-7:30 p.m., Barton County Courthouse Square, 1400 Main. Community partners, information booths, food and drinks, yard games, drum circle, face painting and bounce house.
THURSDAY, May 22
Chamber Coffee: Beugelsdijk Chiropractic
9-10 a.m., 1309 Williams St. Program begins at 9:30 a.m.
FRIDAY, May 23
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.
FRIDAY, June 27
Bingo Night
6:30 p.m., Ida Long Goodman Memorial Library, 406 N Monroe, St. John.
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.
FRIDAY, July 25
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.
FRIDAY, August 22
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.
FRIDAY, September 26
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.
THURSDAY, Oct. 2
Noon Lions Club Spaghetti Feed
4-7p.m., Knights of Columbus, 723 Main St.
FRIDAY, Oct. 24
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.
