Great Bend will soon start to look like Christmas. In preparation for the Christmas season, the Great Bend City Council on Monday night approved the annual permit needed for the city’s annual celebration.
“The Home for the Holidays festival and parade is just around the corner,” said Community Coordinator Christina Hayes. “This is the Great Bend way of bringing Santa to town and starting the Christmas season.”
She said the partners who helped organize the festival have expressed their intention to offer free items again this year, and the window decoration contest will return with great prizes for businesses.
“This is always the best way to start the holiday season,” she said. This event has been held annually since 2006.
The following have been approved:
Approved various permits needed for the annual Home for the Holidays Festival and Parade scheduled for November 25th.
• Main Street from 24th Street to 12th Street will be closed during the Home for the Holidays Parade from 5:15 to 6:30 p.m.
The Police Department will also assist in cleaning intersections, especially around Lakin Avenue, in preparation for the parade.
• Main Street from Broadway Street to 12th Street will be closed for an additional two hours after the parade to allow horse-drawn carriages, trains and complimentary food and beverages access to the street area.
• Closing Rakin Avenue from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and parking on the north side of Rakin Avenue from noon to 9:00 p.m.
• Permission for approved event vendors to set up shop in Jack Kilby Square on Thursdays and Fridays through November 25th. This includes a temporary photo wall and a hot dog and hot chocolate stand at Foundry Community Church.