“Downtown,” was Petula Clark’s most famous song, premiering back in 1964. It comes to mind today because so much is going on this week in downtown Great Bend.
“Things will be great when you’re downtown/
No finer place for sure, downtown/
Everything’s waiting for you ...”
What’s waiting this week? Glad you asked.
Thursday, May 1:
This week’s Great Bend Chamber of Commerce Coffee is also an open house hosted by The Center for Counseling & Consultation. This community mental health provider has acquired the former BMI complex at 2015 16th St. That’s where the coffee will be at 9 a.m., with a program at 9:30 to share information about the expanded services while introducing the community to the non-profit agency’s new downtown location. The open house will last until noon. Those who attend will have a chance to ask questions; tours and refreshments will be available.
From 4:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday the Prairie Godmothers will host a Sip ‘n Savor Supply Drive and Social at the Crest Theatre, 1905 Lakin Ave. This come-and-go event will feature local, women-owned vendors serving up delicious appetizer, dessert, and wine samples. Enjoy appetizers from Flavored Celebrations, dessert from Freaking Delicious Cheesecake Company, and wine samples from Rosewood Wine Cellar.
There is no admission fee to enter, but the purpose of the event matches the Godmoms’ mission of “Women Helping Women,” so they ask guests to bring donations of personal hygiene items for their partner agencies to give out to women in need. Cash donations are also welcome and will be passed along to those agencies to help them stock their supply pantries.
The Barton County Democratic Committee has reserved the band shell in the courthouse square from 5:15-7:15 p.m. Thursday for a “Hands Off!” rally. Organizers said there will be music, speakers and handmade signs. This is described as an opportunity to protest the policies implemented during the first 100 days of the second Trump administration.
Friday, May 2
Moving on to Friday, the big downtown event is the annual Art and Wine Walk from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Businesses will serve complimentary adult beverages to shoppers who are over 21 years old and they will feature area artists.
Saturday, May 3
Cinco de Mayo may mean “Fifth of May” in Spanish, but Great Bend’s celebration of the Mexican holiday is always on a Saturday near that date. There will be a parade at 11 a.m. and a Hispanic heritage celebration in the courthouse square until 6 p.m.
Barton County’s Hispanic population is significant. According to the USD 428 Building Report provided by the Kansas State Department of Education, 37.7% of the students in 2023-2024 were Hispanic. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates 25% of Great Bend’s population is Hispanic. The annual celebration is an opportunity for the other 75% to experience another culture.
We’re curious about one of the entertainers, D-Julian. (https://www.facebook.com/DJulianMix/). It is described as a high-quality sound show with the latest technology and LED robots.
Beyond downtown
It’s Spring and the days are packed with adventure. Moving away from downtown, the parks are open, baseball games are being played, and Great Bend High School’s 54th Annual Variety Show takes place at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday in the GBHS Auditorium. The pre-shows, 30 minutes ahead of curtain time, feature the GBHS Jazz Band.
With over 250 students participating from grades 9-12, the Variety Show is a one-of-a-kind event that highlights the incredible musical, comedic, and theatrical talents of GBHS students. While performers from all grade levels will shine, the spotlight is set firmly on the senior class. This show is a heartfelt “thank you” to the seniors for their dedication and hard work over the past four years.
Out at Barton Community College, the Moving in the Heartland Dance Festival features two evening shows, at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the Fine Arts Auditorium.
The May 2 show will feature dances by Aly’s Dance Studio of Great Bend, Be Dance Studio of Great Bend, and the Bethel College Academy of Performing Arts. The May 3 show will feature Barton Dance alumni CJ Orozco performing Street Dance (hip hop and break dance), and the concert will conclude with the Metropolitan Ballet of Wichita’s performance of the Romantic-style ballet “Les Sylphides.” Both nights will include dances from Barton Dance Theatre, Barton’s Dance classes, and solos from Barton students Madi Franks, ShaeLee Martinz, Nineth Pereyra Zuany, and Maya Rodriguez. Barton’s students will present a wide variety of dance styles such as tap dance, modern contemporary dance, jazz dance, and ballet.
So many choices ... In the words of Pet Clark:
“Don’t hang around and let your problems surround you ...”
Hope to see you downtown. Everything’s waiting for you.
