The Parks Department within the Public Lands division for the City of Great Bend starts working on the Christmas light displays in July. The staff checks to see if all the lights work and if displays are properly moving. Workers then wait until after Halloween to begin installing the lights and displays around town to make sure they are functioning before the Home for Holidays Festival the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Great Bend Community Coordinator Christina Hayes says a constant fund is open to collect money to make improvements and additions to the Christmas lights.
Christina Hayes Audio
Over 50,000 lights are lit on the mayor’s Christmas tree in Jack Kilby Square.
The constant need to make repairs to the thousands of lights inspired the push for greeters towards on the south side of Brit Spaugh Zoo. From 6 to 8 p.m., greeters welcome motorists and hand out Great Bend goody bags and accept donations for the Christmas light fund.
Christina Hayes Audio
The light displays throughout town will be left up until January 1.