The City of Great Bend

06/01/2026

City Council Meeting 6-1-2026

06/01/2026

Just a friendly P.S.A. from the Great Bend Police Department-

As warmer weather brings more people outdoors, we're seeing increased activity on our streets, sidewalks, and neighborhoods.

That means more vehicles, more student drivers, and more children riding motorized scooters and electric bicycles. That's a great sign of an active community, but it also serves as an important reminder for all of us to slow down and pay attention. Young drivers are still learning. Young riders don't always recognize potential dangers. Both deserve our patience and caution.

If you're behind the wheel, please take an extra moment to scan intersections, watch for children near roadways, and avoid distractions. If you're a parent, please make sure your children understand the importance of wearing safety equipment and following traffic laws. Every one of us has the ability to make our streets safer through simple choices and good judgment.

Thank you for helping us protect what matters most—our families, our children, and our community.

05/31/2026

Reminder that tomorrow is the final day to turn in city council applications to the County Clerk's office! Applications must be filed no later than noon.

05/30/2026

Update 9:55. The parade will be starting at 10:10 am due to the rain not allowing the floats to set up on time. Get downtown!

Update - the storms are clearing out and everything is getting set up! The parade may be slightly delayed as our participants are just now getting to set up.
Head on downtown and line the streets!

We know many of you are watching the forecast as closely as we are!

At this time, Big Bend Bash is still ON as scheduled. 🎉

We are continuing to monitor the weather, but current forecasts show the rain moving through before the parade begins. Our team is keeping a close eye on conditions and will provide updates if anything changes.

🌦️ For now, all events remain a go:
🇺🇸 Red, White & Blue Parade
🎶 Live Music
🍔 Food Trucks
🛍️ Vendor Market
💦 Kid Zone & Water Fun

Please keep an eye on the Great Bend Alive page for the latest updates throughout the morning.

We’re looking forward to a great day in Downtown Great Bend and hope to see you there

05/29/2026

Thank you for stopping by and for the delicious breakfast!!

Small towns run on great people! And we’re lucky to have some of the best! ☀️

We enjoyed treating our City Office team to breakfast this morning as a little way to say THANK YOU for everything you do for our community. We appreciate you!

05/29/2026

Great Bend: America 250 Series 🇺🇸

1953 - The Great Bend Zoo first opened in 1953 inspired by the vision of Brit Spaugh, the city’s first Public Lands Director, and was named “City Park.”

The first animals were delivered to the zoo that year in an upheaval of dissatisfaction, including the first “dangerous animals” of two black bears that were donated by the Montana Fish and Game Commission. The older of the two bears was the Montana University football team mascot before coming to Great Bend.

The newspaper of that time felt that removal of a baseball field in order to house deer was a crime. However Mr. Spaugh held his ground and created a zoo that surpassed his dreams.

In the following six years, more exotic animals came to the zoo including two barbary sheep, four spider monkeys, and an alligator.

Two four-month-old polar bear cubs arrived at the zoo in May of 1964, but the next year was even bigger as six rare trumpeter swan cygnets hatched at the zoo. According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, the hatching of the swans in captivity had never been recorded in the 100 years of records of the department. Also in 1965, the zoo’s name was officially changed to Brit Spaugh Park in honor of its founder.

Another name change occurred in 2008, adding Great Bend to the title and becoming the current day Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo.

Today the zoo features species from all around the world, maintains a raptor rehabilitation program, remains free to the public, and is open 362 days of the year.

More information 🔗 https://greatbendzoo.com/zoo/history.php

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05/29/2026

05/29/2026

Going to be a fun month here in Great Bend!

LOOK AT EVERYTHING HAPPENING IN GREAT BEND THIS JUNE 😍☀️

05/28/2026

Make plans this weekend for BIG BEND BASH!!!!! You won't want to miss it!!