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‘Giant surprises’ to open Big Bend Bash Saturday
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Expect something big coming down Main Street at the start of the Big Bend Bash this Saturday, June 7.

Sara Arnberger, executive director of Great Bend Economic Development, provided that teaser at Monday’s City Council meeting.

“We’ve got an exciting day lined up,” she said. “We will start the day off with some giant surprises rolling down Main Street, so please don’t miss that.”

The event will open with a Red, White & Blue Parade on Main Street at 10 a.m. and continue until 6 p.m. “You’re going to want to be there for the whole thing.”

As for the “giant surprises,” Arnberger said they are part of the parade. “Once you see it, you’ll just know that this thank you is needed for Logan and Scott Keeler for helping us to figure out how we can make this happen. They love taking my calls on some of these creative things.” Logan Burns is the City Administrator and Keeler is director of the Public Lands department.

Presented by GBED’s Great Bend Alive and the City of Great Bend Convention and Visitors Bureau, this new event builds on the legacy of June Jaunt, bringing together beloved favorites with exciting new experiences, sponsors said. 

Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Amanda Gaddis and her staff are working with Arnberger and crew to coordinate events.

The Red, White & Blue Parade sets the tone for a festive and patriotic celebration. After the parade, starting at 11 a.m., downtown will be open to food trucks and other vendors. 

“We’re going to have a fun ‘bite quest’ for all of you foodies, so you can go around and get a snack-size sample from each of our food vendors and show that you support them.”

Features will include:

• Live music all day on two stages (for Forest Ave. and in the alley) with the Hunter Hughes Band, Lightfoot and Buehler, and Kauffman Hammeke.

• Live mural painting featuring Melanie Ryan.

• The Kids Zone in the courthouse square with bounce houses, balloon artist, face painting, jumbo yard games, hands-on activities and the “Grand” Pa Illusionist, Robert Levingston.

• A car show sponsored by the Shifters Car Club will be on Lakin Avenue between Main and Williams.

The 10th annual Bike Brew Q will be going on Saturday as well. Bike Brew Q is a cycling event, craft brew expo and barbecue food truck amalgamation. Each of these is independent and proceeds go to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The “brewfest” will be located behind Dry Lake Brewing at 1305 Main. For tickets and other information see https://www.bikebrewq.com/.

The Bash will also serve as a fundraiser for a streetscape project.

A previously announced event, Art Alley, will not be part of the Big Bend Bash. Due to a lack of entries, that Barton Arts Movement event has been postponed and will be rescheduled.

Arnberger extended thanks to the City of Great Bend, noting the Convention and Visitors Bureau is GBED’s cohost on this first-ever Big Bend Bash.

She added that last-minute parade entries are still being accepted and they still need volunteers. Sign up online at https://www.gbedinc.com/bigbendbash.