The Fort Scott Farmers Market vendors are planning a party on July 4 at the Gathering Square Pavilion on North National Avenue.
The regular market vendors will be there to purchase from, but in addition, there will be added fun activities for the whole family.
“Since Independence Day falls on a Saturday this year, we wanted to make the most of a unique opportunity,” said Stephanie Carrell, secretary of the vendors. “The Farmers Market is already a place where people come together, so adding some patriotic fun felt like a natural fit.”
Join them to celebrate Independence Day with a morning of family-friendly activities and patriotic fun.
“Activities begin at 8:00 a.m. with the ‘Best Cookie of the Market’ Chocolate Chip Cookie Contest, where visitors can participate in a blind taste test and vote for their favorite cookie entry from participating market vendors. Voting will continue until 11:30 a.m., with the Cookie Champion announced at noon.”
All registrations for participating in certain events close on July 2. Find the event on Fort Scott Farmers Market Facebook page or enter at the link listed below.
“At 9:00 a.m., participants of all ages will compete in the Chomp Champion Watermelon Eating Contest, with multiple age divisions and trophies awarded in each group.”
“At 10:00 a.m., the Wheels of Glory Patriotic Parade will invite participants to decorate bikes, wagons, scooters, strollers, wheelchairs, and Power Wheels and show off their patriotic spirit. Spectators will vote to determine the crowd favorite.”
“We were thinking through the pavilion (for the parade). They can circle back along the sidewalk, then park in the center of the pavilion for voting,” she said.
“At 11:00 a.m., teams of up to four people will compete in the Know-It-All Cup Trivia Challenge, featuring questions about Fort Scott.”
“Registration for the scheduled events is free, and trophies and prizes will be awarded. Every participant will receive a prize,” she said.
“Visitors are encouraged to come enjoy the market, cheer on participants, sample cookies, and celebrate the Fourth of July with a morning of fun, friendly competition, and community spirit.”
Fort Scott Farmers Market Association contacts are
President: Lori Hueston and
Secretary: Stephanie Carrell
email: fortscottfarmersmarket@gmail.
call/text: 620-303-9878
Sign up for events here: https://forms.gle/
” We hope people will stop by to pick up fresh produce, local meats, sweet treats, and other handmade products for their holiday celebrations, enjoy the festivities, and spend some time visiting with friends and neighbors,” Carrell said. “Celebrating the Fourth of July is about more than fireworks—it’s about community, and we’re excited to give people another way to celebrate together.”
Several new recreational activities are being offered by Buck Run Community Center this summer: an outdoor fitness court, an inaugural Independence Day Run, and a new fitness trainer added to the team.
New Outdoor Fitness Center
“The new outdoor Buck Run Fitness Court is open,” said Lucas Kelley, Recreation Director and Buck Run Community Center Manager.
The new space is free to the public and accessible to people of all ages and levels of expertise, Kelley said.
“It was paid for by multiple organizations: Fort Scott Recreation, City of Fort Scott, a grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas, and the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation.”
“We wanted to provide another option to the citizens to enjoy the fresh air and stay active in our community! We will also utilize the studio space on the south side to teach classes when the weather is enjoyable.”
#FortScottRec #BuckRunCommunityCenter #OutdoorFitnessCourt #HealthyCommunity #GetActiveFortScott
The center is offering a first-ever 5K run on the day the community is celebrating Independence Day, June 27.
The Fourth of July is coming early this year in Fort Scott.
On June 27, the City of Fort Scott is hosting its annual community event.
“We wanted to avoid family activities/traditions on the Fourth of July,” said Rachel Carpenter, Fort Scott’s Director of Community Development. “There will not be anything happening from the city on the 4th.”
The City of Fort Scott and community partners do invite residents and visitors to celebrate Independence Day at the annual Fort Scott Independence Day Celebration on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at Fort Scott Community College, Carpenter said.
“The family-friendly event will feature an afternoon and evening filled with food, live music, competitions, games, and fireworks, offering something for all ages.”
The churches near Fort Scott Community College are opening their parking lots for the afternoon activities, and there is ADA parking near the cosmetology department on the south central side of the campus.
June 27 city-sponsored activities begin at 3:00 p.m. and include:
Participants are needed for the above activities and the BBQ contest, according to the City of Fort Scott’s monthly newsletter.
Participants can register through the event QR codes available on promotional materials in this publication.
The People’s Choice judging for the Butcher Block BBQ Contest will begin at 5:00 p.m., allowing attendees to help crown the community’s favorite pitmaster.
Live entertainment will be provided throughout the evening with free concerts featuring:
Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and enjoy an evening of great music, food, and community fellowship before the fireworks display.
“This celebration is a great opportunity for families, friends, and neighbors to come together and celebrate our nation’s independence while enjoying everything that makes Fort Scott a special place to live and visit,” organizers said
Residents and visitors are encouraged to wear their red, white, and blue and join in a day of community pride, family fun, and patriotic celebration, according to Carpenter.
For additional event information, follow City of Fort Scott announcements and event updates on social media.
The annual city-sponsored fireworks display will start at 9:30 p.m., Carpenter said. Cars can line up on South Horton Street as in prior years to view the show.
The show will be launched at the Fort Scott Community College campus, at 1801 S. Horton, with lead pyrotechnician Shaunn Pytlowany and his crew from Premier Pyrotechnics handling the setup and shooting.
Fire works 2026 Rules
From The City of Fort Scott ordinances:
Ella Townley, 18, graduated from Spring Hill High School last week, and tomorrow she will open her new business venture, Eternal Grace Boutique LLC, in Fort Scott’s Historic Downtown District.
The store is located at 13 N. Main Street.
Ella is the daughter of the owners of Be The Light Boutique, Susan and Ed Townley, just across the street.
“I didn’t know what I wanted to do after graduating,” she said. “I will attend Pittsburg State University, majoring in management and marketing, in the fall.”
In the future, Townley plans to have her own brand of clothing.
“I always wanted to own my own clothing store and bring ideas to life,” she said.
The products she sells are clothes for girls of all ages, she said
“In addition to young women’s clothing (ages 14-25). I sell two lines of jewelry, collegiate ware, home decor items, Bibles, prayer journals, devotionals, and hats.”
The store opens today, May 28, at 3 p.m., and there will be a ribbon-cutting and grand opening at 5:30 p.m. sponsored by the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce.
The hours of operation for the store will be Thursday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, the store is closed.
For information, contact the store at: 913-827-2574.
The Fort Scott Splash Pad and Sensory Park is open for the 2026 season. The park was envisioned and then carried to fruition by a grass-roots group in the community. It is free to the public and is located near the Fort Scott National Historic Site, at Old Fort Boulevard and National Avenue on the city’s north side.
The Why of the new business
“From the very beginning, this business was built on faith. Before the menu, before the logo, before we ever served our first drink— God placed this dream on our hearts,” Ross said. “Long before we felt equipped, He continued to remind us that He doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called.”
“Every cup we serve is more than just coffee to us. It’s an opportunity to place truth into someone’s hands right when they need it most. We may be the ones writing the verses on the cups, but we truly believe God places them exactly where they’re meant to be.”
“If someone walks away with a drink in their hand and hope in their heart, then we’ve done what we were called to do. This is our why”.
The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK) and its affiliate foundations in Columbus, Fort Scott, and Girard are excited to announce their 2026 scholarship recipients. In 2026, a total of $367,462 was awarded across 44 scholarship opportunities to 148 Southeast Kansas students pursuing higher education. In 2026, 900 applications were submitted! A full description of each scholarship is available at SoutheastKansas.org/Scholarships.
“I think this year was really exciting because of the sheer number of applications we received,” said Kara Mishmash, CFSEK Program Coordinator. “It made it difficult during the evaluation process, but it just makes you see how important scholarships are for students and how great the need is.”
This year’s scholarship recipients are:
Ad Astra Endowed Scholarship
Albright Family Scholarship – Healthcare Related Field of Study
Albright Family Scholarship
Bill House Agricultural Scholarship
Charles & Jane Maxwell Memorial Scholarship (CACF)
Columbus Cares Scholarship
Class of 1986 Friendship Scholarship (CACF)
Commerce Bank Pittsburg Scholarship
Craig Crespino Scholarship
Dr. Daniel & Jeannette Minnis Oral Health Scholarship
Dylan Meier “Get Busy Livin’” Foundation Scholarship
Dylan Meier “Get Busy Livin’” Foundation – Dragon of the Year
Dylan Meier “Get Busy Livin’” Foundation – KPREPS Player of the Year
Gabriel John Ison Memorial Scholarship
Haberbosch Family Scholarship (FSACF)
Joe & Margarita Sauer Scholarship
Joe F. Zakowski and Mary Alice Gilmore Zakowski Scholarship
Larry & Regina Weaver Scholarship
M.L. (Lee) & Noretta Caldwell Education Fund Scholarship
Marcia Smith Memorial Scholarship (CACF)
Maureen H. Paulsen Memorial Scholarship (CACF)
Mount Carmel Foundation – Helen Kriegsman Memorial Scholarship
Mullendore – Butler Endowed Scholarship
Nancy Evans Community Health Nursing Scholarship
Pat Forbes Scholarship
Peggy Gannon Memorial Scholarship
Ronald W. Murray Engineering Scholarship
Sandra B. Houser Memorial Scholarship (CACF)
Short Fine Arts Scholarship
Stacy Goedeke Scholarship
Thomas J. Restivo Memorial Scholarship
Tyler R. Jeck Scholarship
VetLinks.org Brian Kavanagh Scholarship PSU Clin. Psych Grad/Master’s Social Work Programs
VetLinks.org Brian Kavanagh Scholarship PSU ROTC
Vinylplex/Sanderson Pipe Scholarship
William H. Zimmer Memorial Scholarship
William J. Sollner Family Scholarship
The Community Foundation would like to congratulate all the recipients and wish them the best of luck on their next adventure!
The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas awarded over $2.8 million in grants from all foundation funds in 2025 and has facilitated over $29 million in total granting to Southeast Kansas since its inception in 2001. CFSEK serves the region by providing donors with various charitable interests and encouraging charitable giving, which addresses present and future needs in our area. The Columbus Area, Fort Scott Area, and Girard Area Community Foundations are affiliates of CFSEK. More information about CFSEK is available at SoutheastKansas.org.
A long vacant property on National Avenue has new life.
Bolt Bevs and Bites at 1808 S. National Avenue has been remodeled into a drink and snack business.
Bolt offers coffee, energy drinks, kids’ drinks, breakfast items, snacks, sweet treats, and more.
The dress rehearsal before the grand opening of the business starts tomorrow, May 22, with hours of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and continues on Saturday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. then 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday.
They will be closed for Memorial Day.
Following the soft opening this weekend, regular hours will be 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays.
Co-manager Claire Bradshaw said, “We are from PIttsburg. We like the small town feel, the community connection, and were able to purchase a building here in Fort Scott.”
The owner of the business is Mick Marietta.
The building is the former Taco Tico restaurant. “It’s been vacant for a long time,” Bradshaw said.
“It’s been gutted, with remodeling starting last fall,” said Co-Manager Emery Kafka.
The remodeling includes a drive-through with a canopy on the front of the building.
Currently, the staff includes 20 people ranging from high school age up, and they are still accepting applications, Bradshaw said.
