Save the date: Tuesday, Aug. 11
Celebrate 150 Years of the Great Bend Tribune
5-8 p.m. on Forest Avenue between Main Street and Williams Street. Food; tea, lemonade and water; register for giveaways. Help us celebrate the oldest continuing business in Great Bend. Thank you for being part of our story.
MONDAY, Aug. 3
Heritage Seniors Club potluck dinner
Noon at Heritage Senior Center, 103 N. Main, Ellinwood. It is open to anyone who wishes to attend.
Great Bend City Council Meeting
5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 1209 Williams St. and livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/cityofgreatbend.
TUESDAY, Aug. 4
Election Day
Polls open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Barton County Commission meeting
9:30 a.m. at the courthouse.
The Leader’s Lunchroom
Noon to 1 p.m. at the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce, 1125 Williams St.
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 5
Jurassic Documentaries
10:30 a.m. to noon at the Great Bend Public Library, 1409 Williams St. Check out the latest documentary film series from Steven Spielberg.
Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support Group
2:30-3:30 p.m. at 1025 Main St., Room D 106.
THURSDAY, Aug. 6
Great Bend Chamber Coffee and Ribbon Cutting hosted by The Catalyst Therapy
9 a.m. at 2817 9th St., with program at 9:30 a.m.
Hoisington Chamber Coffee hosted by the Historical Society
9:30 a.m. at the Chamber.
Genealogy Thursday
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Great Bend Public Library.
Wetlands Waterpark final Family Swim of 2026
7-9 p.m. at 2303 Main St.
FRIDAY, Aug. 7
Kick the Habit Youth Crew Kickball Tournament
6-9 p.m. at the Great Bend Sports Complex.
Test & Tune Grudge
7:30-11 p.m. at the SRCA Dragstrip. Gates open at 6 p.m.
SATURDAY, Aug. 8
Farmers Market
7 a.m. to noon in the Great Bend Public Library parking lot, 1409 Williams St.
Party in the Park
All day at Veterans Memorial Park.
- 9 a.m. Oozefest Mud Volleyball and Vendors Fair open
- 10 a.m. Kiwanis Wet/Dry Parade, Optimists Kids Fun Zone, Paws & Claws Shine & Show
- 2 p.m. GBPD Dunk Tank
- 7:30 p.m. Concert with Dylan Schneider and HomeBrew. Gates and Charlie’s mobile bar cart open at 6 p.m.
Summit Points Race #6
2 p.m. time trials at the SRCA Dragstrip. Gates open at noon.
Under the Stars at Heartland Farm
7 p.m. at Heartland Farm, rural Pawnee Rock. $15 per person includes meal. Special guest Professor Sherry Curtis Rogers from Dodge City Community College, instructor of Physical Science, Astronomy, and Meteorology, will present a program on the Perseids and the night sky. Register at heartlandfarm-ks.org/stars-2026.
SUNDAY, Aug. 9
Wetlands Waterpark closes
Open 12:30-5:30 p.m. at 2303 Main St. Open daily, weather permitting.
MONDAY, Aug. 10
Donate blood
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Advanced Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine, 4801 10th St., Great Bend.
TUESDAY, Aug. 11
Barton County Commission meeting
9:30 a.m. at the courthouse.
Port Authority of Stafford County: Grand opening and ribbon cutting
11 a.m. welcome and remarks at the Stafford County Annex, 210 E. 3rd, St. John. At 11:30 a.m., travel as a group to the Port Authority site, 159 SW 20th Ave., St. John, for the ribbon cutting.
THURSDAY, Aug. 13
11th Annual Business Showcase
9-11:30 a.m. at the Great Bend Panther Activities Center (PAC), 2450 19th St. Open to Great Bend USD 428 staff at 9 a.m. Open to all school staff in Barton County at 9:45 a.m. This is a private event open to educators and support staff, including home schools, public and private schools, and Barton Community College employees.
Hoisington Chamber Coffee hosted by Cardinal Lanes
9:30 a.m. at their location.
Genealogy Thursday
11 a.m. to noon at the Great Bend Public Library, 1409 Williams St., Main Floor.
FRIDAY, Aug. 14
Housing opens for move-in at Barton Community College
Citywide Garage Sales
Great Bend Tribune hosts the Ellinwood Chamber Coffee
10 a.m. at the Great Bend Tribune, 2012 Forest Ave.
Donate blood
Noon to 6 p.m. at the Larned Columbus Club, 1216 M Rd.
Roar and Pour - Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo
6-10 p.m. at the zoo. Tickets are $30 per person or two for $50, must be 21 years of age or older. For information email zoodirector@greatbendks.gov.
Dancing with the Cougars Ballroom Dance Workshop
6:30-8:30 p.m. at Studio 34 on the Barton Community College campus. Register at shows.bartonccc.edu.
Perseid Meteor Shower Watch Party
8:30-10:30 p.m. at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center, 592 NE K-156, Ellinwood. Free event as the Earth passes through the dust and debris of the Swift-Tuttle comet, creating a spectacular display of meteors or “shooting stars” in the night sky.
SATURDAY, Aug. 15
Farmers Market
7 a.m. to noon in the Great Bend Public Library parking lot, 1409 Williams St.
Citywide garage sales
Family Crisis Center garage sale
9 a.m. to noon at the Family Crisis Center Parking Lot, 1924 Broadway Ave.
Bark at the Waterpark
10 a.m. to noon at the Wetlands Waterpark, 2303 Main St. Bring your dog to the pool for swimming and socializing. $5 per dog admission will go toward improvements at the city dog park at Veterans Memorial Park.
“Fierce Planets” exhibit closes at Barton Community College
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Shafer Gallery.
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
2-5 p.m. at 1405 N. Main St., Great Bend.
Quilts of Valor
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.
SUNDAY, Aug. 16
Family Crisis Center garage sale
9 a.m. to noon at the Family Crisis Center Parking Lot, 1924 Broadway Ave.
MONDAY, Aug. 17
Heritage Seniors Club potluck dinner
Noon at Heritage Senior Center, 103 N. Main, Ellinwood. It is open to anyone who wishes to attend.
Donate blood
12:30-6:30 p.m. at the Hoisington Activity Center, 1200 Susan Road.
Great Bend City Council Meeting
5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 1209 Williams St. and livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/cityofgreatbend.
TUESDAY, Aug. 18
Barton County Commission meeting
9:30 a.m. at the courthouse.
Barton Dance and Music Contract Signing Ceremony
6:30 p.m. at the Fine Arts Auditorium
Library Book Club: “Miss Benson’s Beetle”
7-9 p.m. at the Great Bend Public Library, 1409 Williams St.
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 19
Barton Community College classes begin
Public hearing for Small Community Development Block Grant application
8 a.m. at Stafford County Annex, 210 E. 3rd Ave., St. John.
THURSDAY, Aug. 20
Great Bend Chamber Coffee hosted by The Bin Wranglers
9 a.m. at the Chamber boardroom, 1125 Williams. St. Program at 9:30 a.m.
Hoisington Chamber Coffee hosted by USD 431
9:30 a.m. at their location.
Genealogy Thursday
11 a.m. to noon at the Great Bend Public Library, 1409 Williams St., Main Floor.
Be Prepared! How to Plan for a Disruption or Disaster
Noon to 1 p.m. online at https://ksbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/29155. Free webiner presented by the Small Business Administration’s Wichita District Public Information Officer Michael Aumack.
FRIDAY, Aug. 21
Ellinwood Chamber Coffee hosted by the Ellinwood High School Library
10 a.m. at the EHS Library, 210 East 3rd St.
Barton Men’s Soccer
4:30-6 p.m. at the Cougar Soccer and Track Complex. Barton vs North Iowa Area Community College.
Test & Tune Grudge
7:30-11 p.m. at the SRCA Dragstrip. Gates open at 6 p.m.
Dancing with the Cougars Ballroom Dance Workshop
6:30-8:30 p.m., Studio 34. Three-class series for the community teaches the basics of ballroom dancing. $40 a person, $55 a couple, or individual classes are $15 a person. Register at shows.bartonccc.edu. Contact: Danika Bielek, 620-792-9253
SATURDAY, Aug. 22
Farmers Market
7 a.m. to noon in the Great Bend Public Library parking lot, 1409 Williams St.
Summit Points Race #7
2 p.m. time trials at the SRCA Dragstrip. Gates open at noon.
Barton Men’s Soccer
3-5 p.m. at the Cougar Soccer and Track Complex. Barton vs Otero College.
Barton Foundation’s 47th Annual Big Benefit Auction
5:30-9 p.m. at the Great Bend Events Center, 3111 10th St. This signature fundraising event helps support the Foundation’s mission of providing scholarships and educational opportunities for Barton students. $65 per person; https://bartonccfoundation.org/foundation-events.
MONDAY, Aug. 24
Barton Theatre Rally
6 p.m. at Barton Community College. Theatre program invites all for socializing, theatre announcements, and treats. Contact Jack Greenwood, 620-786-7482, ext. 482
TUESDAY, Aug. 25
Barton County Commission meeting
9:30 a.m. at the courthouse.
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 26
Barton Men’s Soccer 10 a.m. at the Cougar Soccer and Track Complex. Barton vs Western Nebraska Community College.
Larned Laundry Love
3 to 5 p.m. at Santa Fe Laundry Co., 1309 Broadway. Wash up to five loads of laundry for free.
Barton Theatre Fall Play Auditions
7 p.m. in the Fine Arts Auditorium. Cold reading auditions for the play “Circle Mirror Transformation.” Contact Jack Greenwood, 620-786-7482, ext. 482.
THURSDAY, Aug. 27
Great Bend Chamber Coffee hosted by Pilot Club
9 a.m. at the Perkins meeting room, 2920 10th St. Program at 9:30 a.m.
Hoisington Chamber Coffee hosted by Golden Belt Community Foundation
9:30 a.m. at the City Building.
Genealogy Thursday
11 a.m. to noon at the Great Bend Public Library, 1409 Williams St., Main Floor.
Ellinwood Chamber After Hours
5:30 p.m. at Two Chicks and Some Old Bird, 106 N. Main.
Sean of the South
7 p.m. at the Crest Theatre, 1905 Kansas Ave. Doors open at 6 p.m. Sean Dietrich will be playing music, singing and telling stories. Tickets: seanofthesouth.ticketspice.com/sean-of-the-south.
Barton Theatre Fall Play Auditions
7 p.m. in the Fine Arts Auditorium. Cold reading auditions for the play “Circle Mirror Transformation.” Contact Jack Greenwood, 620-786-7482, ext. 482.
FRIDAY, Aug. 28
Kans for Kids Car Show
5-8 p.m. at Jack Kilby Square. This is the fifth annual benefit car show hosted by Club 1 Fitness.
Final 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.
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.
Dancing with the Cougars Ballroom Dance Workshop
6:30-8:30 p.m. at Studio 34. Three-class series for the community teaches the basics of ballroom dancing. $40 a person, $55 a couple, or individual classes are $15 a person. Register at shows.bartonccc.edu. Contact: Danika Bielek, 620-792-9253.
SATURDAY, Aug. 29
Farmers Market
7 a.m. to noon in the Great Bend Public Library parking lot, 1409 Williams St.
Barton Men’s Soccer
4-6 p.m. at the Cougar Soccer and Track Complex. Barton vs Lamar Community College.
“Nutcracker for the Golden Belt” auditions
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Studio 34 on the Barton Community College campus. Class-style dance auditions for the cast of the “Nutcracker for the Golden Belt” production. Pre-registration required at shows.bartonccc.edu.
Contact: Danika Bielek, 620-792-9253
SAVE THE DATE:
Oct. 3
Fourth Annual Fall Fest - Family Crisis Center
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
September 11th - Test and Tune Grudge
September 12th - Summit Points Race #8
September 24th - 26th - NHRA Div 5 ET FInals
October 4th - Race Week 2.0 starts at Great Bend
October 8th - Race Week 2.0 ends at Great Bend
October 9th - Test and Tune Grudge
October 10th - Summit Points Race #9
