Rain on Saturday kept some people indoors, but others ventured out for Great Bend events that included the Earth Day celebration at the zoo, the Drug Take-back station outside of the courthouse, and Family Day at the American Legion Post.

The rainfall total over six hours was 0.63 inches at the Great Bend Municipal Airport.

Chris Kruger at Argonne Post 180 said the rain may have helped their event, which was indoors.

“This is going well,” Kruger said Saturday morning, noting they had already exceeded the turnout for the entire day in 2024. 

Member Rick Munsch was making sloppy joes while Miraya Starnes provided face painting and Robert Levingston made balloon wrist animals. Great Bend Police officers provided Ident-A-Kid packets, that allow parents to collect information about their children, including fingerprints, which they take home for safekeeping.

Meanwhile, there was a tent on the east side of the courthouse square for Drug Take Back Day. This was a chance for people to safely dispose of medications that are no longer needed. The Barton County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the Barton County Health Department, sponsors this event. Health Director Karen Winkelman said despite the rain, 187 pounds of unused medications were collected on Saturday.  The medications were transported Monday by Barton County Sheriff’s Office personnel to the DEA Office in Wichita for proper disposal.

The most publicized event was the Earth Day Celebration at the Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo.

There was a great turnout, considering the rain, sponsors said. Many families came prepared with umbrellas. Several of the activities were inside at the Raptor Center and the Education Building. The outdoor activities moved closer together and presenters stayed dry under their tents.