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.
Severe Weather Awareness Week
March 2-6
WEDNESDAY, March 4
Statewide Tornado Drill
9:45-10 a.m. Every school, citizen, and business is encouraged to participate in the drill. Residents should treat the drill as if it were an actual Tornado Warning. There will be a “Tornado Watch” at 9:45 a.m. and the tornado siren will go off at 10 a.m. The purpose of the drill is to test everyone’s readiness for life-threatening severe weather events such as tornadoes, flash floods, and damaging winds. Local officials are encouraged to sound warning sirens to initiate the drill.
Barton County 6th annual Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge 11 a.m. at Great Bend Events Center, 3111 10th St. Winners announced at 1 p.m. Sponsored by Great Bend Economic Development Inc.
Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support Group
2:30-3:0 p.m. at 1025 Main St., Room D-106, Great Bend.
Storm Fury on the Plains
6:30 p.m. at the Crest Theater, 1905 Lakin Ave. Free program presented by the National Weather Service Wichita Office.
THURSDAY, March 5
Great Bend Chamber Coffee hosted by Massage at Eades
9 a.m. at the Chamber Board Room, 1125 Williams St. Program at 9:30.
Hoisington Chamber Coffee hosted by Brick & Blossom
9:30 a.m. at 104 N. Main.
Pawnee Co. Youth Entrepreneurial Challenge Coffee Hour
9:30 a.m. at the Larned Chamber Jordaan Room, 502 Broadway.
Genealogy Thursday
11 a.m. to noon at the Great Bend Public Library, 1409 Williams St., Main Floor.
Barton Theatre presents “The SpongeBob Musical”
7:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Auditorium, Barton Community College.
FRIDAY, March 6
Barton Cougar Dance Day
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Studio 34 on the south side of the Barton Community College campus. Dance students 12-18 years old can be college dancers for a day with free dance classes, lunch, and clinics with Barton Dance Theatre and the Barton Dance Team. Dance scholarship audition from 3-4 p.m. for high school seniors.
Girls Night Out
7-9 p.m. at the Heartland Center for Spirituality, 3600 Broadway, Great Bend (enter through the west door). Free night of games, refreshments, great company and a 50/50 drawing at 8:50 p.m.
Barton Theatre presents “The SpongeBob Musical”
7:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Auditorium, Barton Community College.
SATURDAY, March 7
Scam Alert Program in Hoisington
10 a.m. at the Hoisington Public Library, 169 S. Walnut, Hoisington. Presented by the Hoisington Police Department. Refreshments will be served.
Golden Belt Humane Society/Adopt-A-Pet
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bomgaars, 5320 10th St.
Golden Belt Model Railroad Association
1-6 p.m. at 1405 N. Main St., Great Bend.
Barton Theatre presents “The SpongeBob Musical”
7:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Auditorium, Barton Community College.
SUNDAY, March 8
Daylight Saving Time begins
2 a.m. – Spring Forward: Set clocks ahead one hour.
Ellinwood Area Churches Pulled Pork Fundraiser
10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the St. Joseph Parish Center, 110 W. 2nd St. Freewill offerings will help support the assistance and scholarships EAC provides for the community.
Barton Theatre presents “The SpongeBob SquarePants Musical”
2 p.m. in the Fine Arts Auditorium, Barton Community College.
MONDAY, March 9
Heritage Seniors Club potluck dinner
Noon at Heritage Senior Center, 103 N. Main, Ellinwood. It is open to anyone who wishes to attend.
Ellinwood Historical Society Annual Meet
7 p.m. at the Wolf Hotel. Pot-luck dessert bar; speaker Cori Sherman-North, curator of the Birger Sandzen Memorial Gallery in Lindsborg and president of the Kansas Museum Association.
TUESDAY, March 10
Barton County Commission meeting
9 a.m. in Suite 106 at the courthouse.
THURSDAY, March 12
Great Bend Chamber Coffee hosted by Barton County Conservation District
9 a.m. at the Chamber Board Room, 1125 Williams St. Program at 9:30.
Genealogy Thursday
11 a.m. to noon at the Great Bend Public Library, 1409 Williams St., Main Floor.
Great Bend Evening Lions Ham and Bean Supper
4:30-7 p.m. at the Columbus Club, 723 Main, Great Bend.
SATURDAY, March 14
**Second Saturday Sale **
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Forest Avenue Antiques, 2025 Forest Ave. Storewide sales!
MONDAY, March 16
Spring Break
March 16-20 at Barton Community College and area schools.
KWEC Fishy Adventure
Spring Break programs offered from 1-4 p.m. daily at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center, 592 NE K-156 between Great Bend and Ellinwood.
Great Bend City Council Meeting
6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 1209 Williams St. and livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/cityofgreatbend.
TUESDAY, March 17
St. Patrick’s Day
Barton County Commission meeting
9 a.m. in Suite 106 at the courthouse.
KWEC Terrariums to Go
Spring Break programs offered from 1-4 p.m. daily at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center, 592 NE K-156 between Great Bend and Ellinwood.
WEDNESDAY, March 18
KWEC Bioluminescent Beetles & Fantastic Fireflies
Spring Break programs offered from 1-4 p.m. daily at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center, 592 NE K-156 between Great Bend and Ellinwood.
THURSDAY, March 19
Genealogy Thursday
11 a.m. to noon at the Great Bend Public Library, 1409 Williams St., Main Floor.
KWEC Cheyenne Bottoms program
Spring Break programs offered from 1-4 p.m. daily at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center, 592 NE K-156 between Great Bend and Ellinwood.
FRIDAY, March 20
KWEC’s Wild Introduction to Field Journaling
Spring Break programs offered from 1-4 p.m. daily at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center, 592 NE K-156 between Great Bend and Ellinwood.
SATURDAY, March 21
Great Bend Laundry Love
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Discount Laundry, 924 Jefferson St. Wash up to five loads of laundry for free. Sponsored by United Way of Central Kansas.
Golden Belt Model Railroad Association
1-6 p.m. at 1405 N. Main St., Great Bend.
Quilts of Valor Presentation
6:45 p.m. at American Legion Post 180, 1011 Kansas Ave. Veterans will be honored with handmade Quilts of Valor in a special presentation recognizing their service and sacrifice.
MONDAY, March 23
Heritage Seniors Club potluck dinner
Noon at Heritage Senior Center, 103 N. Main, Ellinwood. It is open to anyone who wishes to attend.
TUESDAY, March 24
Barton County Commission meeting
9 a.m. in Suite 106 at the courthouse.
WEDNESDAY, March 25
Art Vortex Day
8:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Building at Barton Community College. High school students come to Barton to gain hands-on experience from art professionals and instructors through workshops and activities, and to participate in a juried art exhibition at the Shafer Gallery. For more information contact Brandon Steinert, steinertb@bartonccc.edu.
Larned Laundry Love
3 to 5 p.m. at Santa Fe Laundry Co., 1309 Broadway. Wash up to five loads of laundry for free.
THURSDAY, March 26
Great Bend Chamber Coffee and Ribbon Cutting hosted by Angel Care Home Health
9 a.m. at the Chamber Board Room, 1125 Williams St. Program at 9:30.
Genealogy Thursday
11 a.m. to noon at the Great Bend Public Library, 1409 Williams St., Main Floor.
Hoisington Heritage Club Potluck Supper
5 p.m. at the Friendship House, 419 E. Third St. Social hour followed by supper at 5:30.
Sunflower Diversified Services 23rd annual Pancake Feed
4-7 p.m. at the Prince of Peace Parish Center, 4100 Broadway Ave. in Great Bend. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door for dine-in or carry-out. Entertainment provided by DJ Donald Hawes. They can be purchased at Westside Market/The UPS Store, 5523 10th, or by contacting Cody Harris, 620-786-0198.
Writing Workshop
6-7:30 p.m. in the Cavanaugh Room at the Barton Community College Library. Contact Justin Brown, 620-792-9202.
FRIDAY, March 27
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.
Red Shoes Bunco & Bags Ladies’ Night and Bunco Too Fundraiser
6:30 p.m. at the Great Bend Events Center. Supporting the Family Crisis Center
Golden Belt Community Concert Assn. presents Echoes from the Past: The She Gees
7 p.m. at Great Bend Municipal Auditorium. For GBCC members.
SATURDAY, March 28
KSHSAA Regional Music Festival
Barton Community College will host the Kansas State High School Activity Association 3-5A Regional Solo and Small Ensemble Festival.
Men’s Night Out Cornhole Fundraiser
6 p.m. at the Great Bend Events Center. Supporting the Family Crisis Center.
Flashlight Egg Hunt
9 p.m. at the Great Bend Sports Complex, 41 McKinley St.
SUNDAY, March 29
National Vietnam War Veterans Day
TUESDAY, March 31
Barton County Commission meeting
9 a.m. in Suite 106 at the courthouse.
