The Great Bend Airfest starts Friday at the Municipal Airport. Thanks to the Barton County Commission providing financial support for the event, Great Bend Community Coordinator Christina Hayes said there will be flyovers at every Barton County community on Friday. The ones in Great Bend and Claflin are scheduled to coincide with home football games.

Prior to the kickoff of the GBHS football game vs Buhler, Panther fans will enjoy the National Anthem sung by the Ladies for Liberty and a B-25 and B-17 flyover.

The timing of the flyover at Claflin will be less precise but is scheduled to coincide with the football game. Hayes said the times and planes involved in other flyovers are being determined this week as pilots arrive at the Great Bend Municipal Airport and they will be posted online.

Earlier this year, the Barton County Commission voted to support the Airfest as a sponsor with an $8,350 contribution, matching the funds that the City of Great Bend has been donating annually to support the show. Hayes invited the commissioners to attend the ceremony to honor veterans on Saturday. She also drew names for four pairs of Airfest ticket winners at the meeting; three from an online promotion and one randomly selected from the roster of County employees.