Halloween 2023 looms: The spooky-fun holiday is lurking

Oct. 13—Halloween is closer than you think.

Oct. 31 is just around the corner but several events are scheduled in advance. The big days for an early fun-scare are the next two Saturdays, Oct. 21 and 28.

—Free costumes — If you need a costume, the Great Bend Kiwanis Club has a solution. Free costumes will be available from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 21, on the front lawn of the Great Bend Public Library. Barb Esfeld chairs the costume drive committee.

The Kiwanis Club's annual costume exchange at the library starts with gently used items donated by the public but also includes new items. The club budgets money and buys clearance items every year after Halloween.

Members try to find items for all ages, from babies to older children. They have ready-made costumes, as well as items kids can use to create their own look — such as masks, fairy wings, witches' hats and other props, Esfeld said.

After Halloween, the Kiwanis Club will have a donation box at the library. When families are done with their costumes, they can leave them for someone else to use next year.

Esfeld said the Kiwanis Club has sponsored the costume change for about 10 years and it continues to grow.

"This event started with the help of a young girl who was worried about her friends who didn't have the money to buy a costume," Esfeld said. "It may not seem important, but watching a child's face light up when they find that special costume is pretty amazing."

—Downtown Halloween Trick or Treat Boo and Community Trunk or Treat — The Kiwanis Club also sponsors Great Bend's annual Halloween parade on the Saturday before Halloween. This year's event takes place downtown from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 28, starting at the northwest corner of Jack Kilby Square. Children are invited to wear their costumes and gather goodies from businesses on both sides of Main Street. Except for crossing some streets, kids will stay on the sidewalks.

From the courthouse square, they will walk north along Main Street to 16th Street, cross the street and go south on Main to 12th Street, crossing at Lakin to circle the courthouse square. Churches and businesses from outside of the parade area will have vehicles parked around the square for the Community Trunk or Treat, sponsored by local churches.

Members of Kiwanis and Great Bend's two Kiwanis Aktion Clubs (sponsored by Rosewood Services and Sunflower Diversified Services) will be at the intersections to assist those crossing the street. The Great Bend Police Department will also be at the intersection of Broadway and Main.

If there is inclement weather, this event will be canceled. For more information contact Amanda Urban by calling 62-792-1321.

Great Bend Kiwanis President Suresh Maharian noted that the club's focus is on helping children. It sponsors the Halloween parade, an Easter egg hunt, the Barton County Spelling Bee and more, including sponsoring scholarships.

Other spooky events

These Halloween activities are on the Explore Great Bend calendar:

—Great Bend Public Library offers free movies for Tuesdays of Terror at 4 p.m. on Oct. 17 and Oct. 24.

—The Great Bend Recreation Commission wants to help you show off your Jack-O-Lantern this Halloween. On Thursday, Oct. 26, the Rec will post a Great Jack-O-Lantern Patch post on its Facebook page.

Share a photo of your 2023 pumpkin in the comment section. Three randomly chosen entries will receive a Halloween package. For your photo to be eligible to be entered in the drawing, photos must be entered by noon on Monday, Oct. 30. Winners will be contacted by Nov. 3.

—There is no school on Friday, Oct. 20. The Teen Spot at the Great Bend Public Library will host a Day O' Spooks, starting with a movie and popcorn at 11 a.m., face painting from 1-2 p.m., and Teen Cafe: making cemeterrariums, from 3:30-4:30 p.m.

—The Rec also offers Halloween at the Wetlands from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 20 at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center and GBRC Activity Center. There is a fee for this day of activities. The deadline to enroll is Oct. 17. The spooky animals of Halloween often get a bad rap. From owls, snakes, bats and spiders, let KWEC take you from "Eww to Cool" as you learn about each of these critters.

Participants will do a hands-on activity centered around each animal, including dissecting owl pellets to figuring out what the owl ate for lunch. If weather conditions allow, some time will be spent outside on the KWEC nature trail. Then it's back to the GB Rec Activity Center for pizza. The afternoon will be spent at the Activity Center doing crafts and other organized activities.

—Haunting on the Hill is a free event from 4-7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28, at Barton Community College's Fine Arts Building. Explore the creative side of the season.

The family friendly community celebration includes games, performances, art-making, a dance session and costume contest. It is hosted by the Barton Performing Arts Department.

—Great Bend Alive, hosted by Great Bend Economic Development Inc., will offer Final Fridays on Forest Ave. for the last time in 2023 from 5-9 p.m. on Oct. 27. Costumes are encouraged and there will be a costume contest. Gather with your friends, family or coworkers, sit outside with a beverage in your hand and enjoy some great food and music on Forest Avenue (the block in front of the Great Bend Tribune, 2012 Forest).

Other events

—GPS Kids Club in Hoisington will host its third-annual Family Fun Night from 4-7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21, at the Hoisington City Auditorium, 109 East First St. There will be games, sweets and "spooktacular treats." Activities require tickets, purchased at the door for $1 each (cash only). Most activities require one or two tickets. Proceeds from this event support the GPS Kids Club.

—The Shafer Art Gallery at Barton Community College will host the "McKown Masquerade Ball" for guests ages 21 and over at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 27 in the Gallery. Read more about that event at this link.

—The Great Bend Tribune will list nonprofit Halloween events/activities. Send information to sthacker@gbtribune.com.