Spring 2026 – Fall 2026

Vet’s Park & Stone Lake

Get your favorite lure ready and see how lucky it is to catch a tagged fish from Stone Lake or Vet’s Lake. With the help from the Kansas Wildlife and Parks the Great Bend Rec has tagged 15 fish at each Lake. Fish were tagged by the Kansas Wildlife and Park in May of 2026.  If you catch a tagged fish, you will need to take a photo of the fish and you and e-mail it to the e-mail address (gfitzpatrick@gbrec.net) on the tag along with the tag number. Participants will receive an e-mail back within a couple of days informing you how to collect your prize. After taking the photo and getting the tag number you may cut the tag off and release the fish. Each tag number will be assigned a set prize. In order to participate in this event all participants must follow all the regulations and Kansas licensing requirements for fishing in the state of Kansas set by the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Department. Prizes will vary from gift cards, fishing tackle, outdoor gear, and more. These donations will be provided by the Rec and future sponsors.

CANDY CORN COUNT

Come on, give it a guess, and let us know how many Candy Corn are in this jar. On October 16^th, we will put up a Facebook post with a photo of a jar full of Candy Corn. Then you will have a chance in the comments section to guess how many Candy Corns are in the jar. The person closest to the number of Candy Corns will win the jar of Candy Corn and a gift card. The contest will end at Noon on October 19^th. One entry per person. Winners will be contacted by October 23^rd.

 

THE GREAT JACK-O-LANTERN PATCH

It’s always fun to see all the creative pumpkins everyone decorates for Halloween. The Rec wants to help you show off your Jack-O-Lantern this Halloween. On October 23^rd, we will post a Great Jack-O-Lantern Patch post on our Facebook page. Share a photo of your 2026 pumpkin in the comment section. We will randomly pick 3 entries that will receive a Halloween package. For your photo to be eligible to be entered in the drawing, your photo must be entered by Noon on October 26^th. Winners will be contacted by October 30^th.

 

GREAT OUTDOOR PHOTO CONTEST

Kansas has some beautiful scenery and wildlife that many of you enjoy during the fall. We would like to show off some of your favorite photos you take while you’re outdoors this fall.

These photos may include sunsets, sunrises, wildlife, bird dogs in the field, scenery, & Cheyenne Bottoms. We ask for these photos to be taken during the months of September, October, and November 2026 and from around the area.

To enter your photo, the Rec will post a Great Outdoor Photo Facebook post on November 20^th, where you can enter your photo in the comment section. For your photo to be eligible for the contest, your photo must be entered by Noon on November 23^rd. Judging will be conducted by JC Bosch-Hayden Outdoors Real Estate. The winning entries will receive a Chamber Gift Certificate (1^st place $100, 2^nd place $75 and 3^rd place $50) donated by JC Bosch-Hayden Outdoors Real Estate. Winners will be contacted by December 18^th.

 

MY CHRISTMAS TREE

Every year you see photos of beautifully decorated Christmas Trees. We would like to share your Tree on our Facebook page. On December 11^th, we will post a My Christmas Tree post on our Facebook page. Take a photo of your 2026 Christmas Tree and share it in the comment section. We will randomly pick 3 entries that will receive a Christmas package for entering your Christmas Tree. For your photo to be eligible to be entered in the drawing, your photo must be entered by Noon on December 14^th. Winners will be contacted the week of December 14^th.

 

BEAUTY OF WINTER PHOTO CONTEST

Grab your camera and capture the beauty of the Great Bend area during the Kansas winter! We’re looking for your best snow photos showcasing the magic of the season.

We ask for these photos to be taken during the 2026 winter and from around the area. Some of the examples could be Snow sculptures, Snowfall, Snow drifts, Winter landscapes, Frost-covered trees, Wildlife in the snow, Icicles, and other beautiful snow related scenes around the Great Bend area.

To enter your photo, the Rec will post a Beauty of Winter Photo Contest Facebook post on March 19^th, where you can enter your photo in the comment section. For your photo to be eligible for the contest, your photo must be entered by Noon on March 22^nd. We will randomly pick 3 entries that will receive a $20 gift card for something to warm you up with. Winners will be announced the week of March 22^nd, 2027.

 

GREAT BEND REC PHOTOS

By submitting photos, I understand the Great Bend Rec and any sponsor or individual may subsequently use for publicity or promotional purpose my name or picture without liability or obligation to me.

It’s been 75 years of FUN & PLAY at the Rec! Spearheading events, creating innovative recreation programs and services, tournaments, the development of new recreation and park facilities and playgrounds, including the Great Bend Activity Center, My Backyard Playground, Fitness Trail, & Veteran’s Toddler Playground.

We love getting to LIVE, PLAY, & EXPLORE here in our community and we can’t wait to see what the next 75 years bring.