News
Earth Day Celebration FUN Coming to Great Bend Zoo on Saturday
Today, April 22, marks the 55th anniversary of Earth Day, an annual event to demonstrate environmental awareness across the world. Events are coordinated globally to the impact of one billion people celebrating the day in more than 193 countries. However, Great Bend’s celebration will occur this Saturday, four days after the official date.
The fourth annual Great Bend Earth Day Celebration is a free come-and-go event, scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, April 26, at Great Bend Zoo. A fun-filled day is in store with more than a dozen vendors, face-painting, free popcorn, plenty of give-aways, and of course, an opportunity to visit amazing Zoo animals.
Earth Day Planting – A young Great Bend Earth Day Celebration participant is all smiles after planting her very own tomato seeds at the Rosewood ECycle station during Great Bend Earth Day Celebration festivities two years ago.
“We’re ready and excited for Saturday,” said Ashley Burdick, Great Bend Zoo Director. “There is so much diverse vendor involvement this year and we have amazing food options with Freaking Delicious Cheesecake Company and Avast Ye Java setting up at our Raptor Center. I’m so glad to see this event growing in its fourth year.”
Once again, Earth Day Celebration sponsor Great Bend Dairy Queen will issue a coupon for a free small ice cream cone to the first 500 youth participants on Saturday. Co-Sponsor Rosewood ECycle will provide the opportunity for participants to plant tomato seeds to grow their very own tomato plants.
In addition to involvement by the three sponsors, Kansas Wetlands Education Center, Heartland Farm, Great Bend Zoological Society, Women For Kansas, Sunflower Recycling Center, along with ‘Read With Me’ program members Luna and Glenn, are participating again. Though they are not expected to bring a character this year, Smoky Hills PBS is also returning with fun activities planned for children. Barton Community College STEM Club returns, along with Bart The Cougar. Kansas Children’s Services League, and Fuller Industries are joining the celebration this year, along with a car club, as well as a model train set-up.
There is a chance of rain in the forecast for Saturday, but rain or shine, Burdick said the event will go on as scheduled. Organizers will make adjustments for vendors and participants, if they are needed, due to storms.
“One year, we had ideal weather for this event, the other years, we’ve adjusted, and folks still came out and enjoyed a wonderful Earth Day Celebration event at our Zoo,” said Burdick. “We expect to have another successful event this year. We encourage people to come out and take part in our free celebration at our community’s wonderful Zoo.”
-GB EDC-
Access Great Bend Earth Day Celebration flier at http://rosewoodservices.com/assets/files/GBEDC-Flier1-25.pdf
For more information, contact Ashley Burdick, Great Bend Zoo Director, zoocurator@greatbendks.net, 620-793-4226
April 22, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Story by: Michael Dawes, director of PR, Rosewood Services, 620-792-2536, MichaelD@rosewoodservices.com
