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 Susan Thacker at the Great Bend Tribune, 2012 Forest Ave., Great Bend, KS 67530; call 620-792-1211 or email sthacker@gbtribune.com.
Ongoing
Advance voting
Advance voting starts Oct. 15; election day is Nov. 4. The public can learn more about the candidates in the area at the Vote 411 Voter Guide page, https://www.vote411.org/ballot.
Friends and Acquaintances art exhibit
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday at the Shafer Art Gallery, located in the Fine Arts Building on the Barton Community College campus. Runs through Oct. 31.
Coat drive
Bring coats to the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce. Monetary donations also accepted. The annual coat giveaway will be from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 18, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 5700 Broadway Ave. Anyone needing a coat is welcome.
Hygiene Drive
Oct. 16-31 at the Family Crisis Center, 1924 Broadway Ave.
Halloween Costume Drive
Drop off new and gently-used costumes at the Great Bend Public Library, 1409 Williams St.. Anyone is welcome to browse the selection and take items at no cost. on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 10 a.m. to noon on the library lawn. Sponsored by the Great Bend Kiwanis Club.
TUESDAY, Oct. 14
Barton County Commission meeting
9 a.m. at the courthouse.
Candlelight remembrance for Charlie Kirk
7-8 p.m. in Jack Kikby Square. Wear a red shirt in honor of Kirk “a voice raised boldly for faith, family and freedom.”
THURSDAY, Oct. 16
Purple Thursday
Wear purple to raise awareness and stand in solidarity with survivors of domestic violence. Post a picture and tag Family Crisis Center on Facebook.
CORRECTION:
Car seat checks/Imagination Playground
9:30-11 a.m. at the GBRC Activity Center, 2715 18th St. Free event: Stop by to have car seats inspected by Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPS Technicians). Trained professionals will check for proper installation, share important safety tips, and answer questions about car seats, booster seats, and vehicle safety. Then head inside the Activity Center where children can enjoy a fun time playing with the Imagination Playground, a large-scale, interactive play set that encourages creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork. Sponsored by The University of Kansas Health System – Great Bend Campus Emergency Department, the Great Bend EMS/Fire Department, and the Great Bend Recreation Commission.
CORRECTION:
Flu shots
Noon at the GBRC Activity Center, 2715 18th St. Bring your insurance card; shots administered by the Barton County Health Department.
Great Bend Chamber Coffee hosted by Cox Communications
9 a.m. at the Chamber Board Room, 1125 Williams St. Program at 9:30.
Larned Area Chamber Coffee hosted by Legend Liquor
9:30 a.m. at Legend Liquor, 414 W. 14th St. Coffee and ribbon-cutting.
Candidates Forum - Hoisington
5:30 p.m. at the Friendship House, 419 E. 3rd St. in Hoisington. Forum starts at 6 p.m. with candidates for Hoisington mayor and USD 431 school board. Forum will be live-streamed by the Great Bend Post.
Writing Workshop
6-7:30 p.m. at the Barton Community College Library, Cavanaugh Room. Contact: Justin Brown, (620) 792-9202
Barton Theatre Presents “Time Stands Still”
7:30 p.m. at the Fine Arts Auditorium, Barton Community College. The show by Donald Margulies centers on a photojournalist, Sarah, who returns to New York from covering the war in Iraq after being injured. The play explores her relationship with her boyfriend, James, a foreign correspondent, as they both grapple with their experiences in the Middle East and their readjustment to a more conventional life. Visit shows.bartonccc.edu for more information. General admission tickets are $10 and will be sold at the door.
FRIDAY, Oct. 17
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.
Ellinwood Underground Tunnel of Terror
6-10 p.m. at the Ellinwood Underground, 2 North Main. Tickets are $15; food truck available. Fundraiser for the Ellinwood Underground Foundation.
Barton Theatre Presents “Time Stands Still”
7:30 p.m. at the Fine Arts Auditorium, Barton Community College. The show by Donald Margulies centers on a photojournalist, Sarah, who returns to New York from covering the war in Iraq after being injured. The play explores her relationship with her boyfriend, James, a foreign correspondent, as they both grapple with their experiences in the Middle East and their readjustment to a more conventional life. Visit shows.bartonccc.edu for more information. General admission tickets are $10 and will be sold at the door.
SATURDAY, Oct. 18
Great Bend Citywide Cleanup
Oct. 18-26. There will be a dumpster set up at Sunflower Diversified Service’s Recycling Center, 5605 10th St.
Farmers Market
7 a.m. to noon in the Great Bend Public Library parking lot, 1409 Williams St.
Coat Giveaway
8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 5700 Broadway Ave. Anyone needing a coat is welcome.
Halloween Costume Drive
10 a.m. to noon at the Great Bend Public Library, 1409 Williams St. The Kiwanis Club is accepting new and gently-used costumes. Anyone is welcome to browse the selection and take items at no cost.
Family Crisis Center Fall Festival
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Jack Kilby Square, A day full of fun, with vendors, food trucks, fall games, face painting, and much more. Join the Empowerment Walk to stand in solidarity with survivors of all kinds of abuse. Honorary wreaths will be created as the Family Crisis Center invites the community to pin a ribbon in honor of someone they love or to celebrate their own resilience.
• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - DJ Polo Cee
• 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. - Learn A Cheer w/Barton Cheerleaders
• 1 p.m. - Acoustic performance by Jaydence Jean
• 1:30 p.m. - Barton & GBHS Dance performance
• 1:45- Domestic Violence Survivors’ Empower Walk
• 2:30 - Britt Spaugh Zoo presentation
Barton Theatre Presents “Time Stands Still”
7:30 p.m. at the Fine Arts Auditorium, Barton Community College. The show by Donald Margulies centers on a photojournalist, Sarah, who returns to New York from covering the war in Iraq after being injured. The play explores her relationship with her boyfriend, James, a foreign correspondent, as they both grapple with their experiences in the Middle East and their readjustment to a more conventional life. Visit shows.bartonccc.edu for more information. General admission tickets are $10 and will be sold at the door.
SUNDAY, Oct. 19
Walk to End Alzheimers
10 a.m. to noon in Jack Kilby Square. Car Show for a Cause is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the courthouse square. To show a car, donate $10 to the Alzheimer’s Association. Email djmcraven2004@gmail.com.
Barton Theatre Presents “Time Stands Still”
2 p.m. at the Fine Arts Auditorium, Barton Community College. The show by Donald Margulies centers on a photojournalist, Sarah, who returns to New York from covering the war in Iraq after being injured. The play explores her relationship with her boyfriend, James, a foreign correspondent, as they both grapple with their experiences in the Middle East and their readjustment to a more conventional life. Visit shows.bartonccc.edu for more information. General admission tickets are $10 and will be sold at the door.
MONDAY, Oct. 20
Red Cross Blood Drive
12:30-6:30 p.m. at the Hoisington Columbus Club, 114 N. Main.
Great Bend City Council Meeting
6:30 p.m., City Hall, 1209 Williams St. and livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/cityofgreatbend.
TUESDAY, Oct. 21
Barton County Commission meeting
9 a.m. at the courthouse.
Great Bend Chamber After Hours: Barton Community College
5-7 p.m. at Camp Aldrich Conference Center, 844 NE 110 Ave., Claflin.
Larned Chamber After Hours: Redux
5-8 p.m. at 414 Broadway. Hosted by Simmons & Simmons.
THURSDAY, Oct. 23
Great Bend Chamber Coffee and Ribbon Cutting hosted by Walnut Bowl
9 a.m. at 3101 Washington St. Program at 9:30.
FRIDAY, Oct. 24
Ellinwood Underground Tunnel of Terror
6-10 p.m. at the Ellinwood Underground, 2 North Main. Tickets are $15; food truck available. Fundraiser for the Ellinwood Underground Foundation.
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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.
SATURDAY, Oct. 25
Farmers Market
7 a.m. to noon in the Great Bend Public Library parking lot, 1409 Williams St.
Great Bend Kiwanis Club presents Downtown Halloween Boo
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Jack Kilby Square. Kids dress up and gather goodies from participating downtown businesses. Community Trunk or Treat sponsored by local churches.
Fifth Annual Haunting on the Hill
2-5 p.m. at the Fine Arts Building, Barton Community College. This free event is a community Halloween Celebration that is packed with fun ways to explore the creative side of the season. The family-friendly celebration includes games, performances, art making, a mad scientist laboratory, the popular costume contest and much more. Hosted by the Barton Performing Arts Departments.
Ellinwood Underground Tunnel of Terror
6-10 p.m. at the Ellinwood Underground, 2 North Main. Tickets are $15; food truck available. Fundraiser for the Ellinwood Underground Foundation.
TUESDAY, Oct. 28
Barton County Commission meeting
9 a.m. at the courthouse.
Larned Area Chamber Coffee at Pawnee County Extension
9:30 a.m. 715 Broadway.
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 29
Larned Laundry Love
3-5 p.m. at Santa Fe Laundry Co., 1309 Broadway. Wash up to five loads of laundry for free.
THURSDAY, Oct. 30
Great Bend Chamber Coffee hosted by Fuller Industries
9 a.m. at 15 SW 40 Ave. Celebrating National Manufacturing Month.
Larned Area Chamber Farewell Coffee for Alex Filbert
9:30 a.m. at Larned Area Chamber office, 502 Broadway.
FRIDAY, Oct. 31
Halloween
Quilts of Valor
6:45 p.m., American Legion, 1011 Kansas Ave. Veterans will be honored with handmade Quilts of Valor in a special presentation recognizing their service and sacrifice.
Ellinwood Underground Tunnel of Terror
6-10 p.m. at the Ellinwood Underground, 2 North Main. Tickets are $15; food truck available. Fundraiser for the Ellinwood Underground Foundation.