We hope to see you there for Networking * Community News * Refreshments!
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee this Thursday, October 3rd at 8am hosted by the Gordon Parks Museum, 2108 S. Horton, on the campus of Fort Scott Community College. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served, and attendees will have the opportunity to win a door prize drawing.
The Chamber Coffee will kick off the 21st Annual Gordon Parks Celebration to be held this weekend for which the full schedule of events may be found on gordonparkscenter.org. The Celebration is in honor Fort Scott native Gordon Parks, noted photographer, writer, musician, and filmmaker. Kirk Sharp, Executive Director of the Museum, and the committee work throughout the year to bring in artists, speakers, programs, and events that have enriched our community and world for all ages.
A highlight this year is the “Celebration Dance Party” featuring The Full Flava Kings at the Liberty Theatre on Friday, October 4th starting at 8pm. The Full Flava Kings, from Tulsa, Oklahoma, are one of the best party bands in the region. The Celebration will culminate with a Tribute Dinner and presentation of the Choice of Weapons Awards along with the presentation of the Learning Tree Award to Arnold Schofield and the late Daryl Roller. The weekend celebration will also feature the Choice of Weapons Conversation, Premier Screening of the documentary I Needed Paris, and free Lunch and Learn events on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Tickets are available at the Gordon Parks Museum, online at gordonparkcenter.org, or call 620-223-2700 ext. 5850.
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members shown below…
Diane Striler and her husband Dean at last year’s Christmas on the Bricks. Submitted photo.
There will be an added event coming to the 2nd Annual Christmas on the Bricks event, ice skating!
The rink will be a daw to Fort Scott and help with local commerce, according to Diane Striler, who is spearheading the rink project.
The rink will be in the new Gathering Place Pavilion on North National Avenue of the Fort Scott Downtown Historic District.
Striler has been talking to people since the first of 2024 about the project, an ice skating rink with no ice (it is a synthetic surface) that is not dependent on cold weather since the surface does not need to be frozen.
An anonymous couple is donating approximately $18,000 of the $37,000 total for the rink which includes the skating surface, railing, 60 skates of various sizes, and a sharpener for the skates. Additional donors have totaled approximately $3,500, and she has applied for a Fort Scott Area Community Foundation Grant.
In addition to those for the rink, other funds will need to be raised to purchase materials to build a storage facility. Striler has talked to a group that is willing to build the facility. It will be used to house the skates and provide a place for skaters to check in, sign their waivers, make payments, and access the rink.
“The whole project will be funded by private donations and grants, there are no tax dollars involved,” she said.
To bring the rink to Fort Scott, Striler had to get approval from the City of Fort Scott Commission and have a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the City and the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Foundation, which is overseeing operations.
The kick-off for the opening of the rink will be the weekend of Christmas on the Bricks, Dec 6-8th. The plan is for the rink to be open that weekend and the following Thursday and Friday evenings, Saturdays, and part-day Sundays through January 5th. The cost to skate is $5 per person.
“We have talked to an individual who may help run the rink and oversee individuals involved,” she said. “We would like to allow different organizations to help staff the rink and receive part of the proceeds for their groups.”
In addition, Striler has been talking with Fort Scott Physical Therapist Meredith Tucker about creating some aids to use at the rink to make it more accessible for children with disabilities.
The rink can be reused for up to 15 years if cared for, she said.
First Fundraiser For the Project
To add to the needed ice skating rink funds, the first fundraiser is 6 p.m. on October 9 at the Liberty Theatre, 113 S. Main, Fort Scott.
It is called a Puzzle, Pizza & Pub Challenge!
The first team of 4 people to complete a 300-piece puzzle, a large pizza, AND a bucket of beverages (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) wins!
The cost is $100 per team ($25/person)
The event is Wednesday, October 9th, at 6 p.m.
at the Liberty Theatre in downtown Fort Scott.
Register a team by calling or stopping by the Chamber at 620-223-3566 or online here! Limited to 20 teams!
If you can’t attend and still want to donate to the rink: click here to make a payment to the Fort Scott Area Chamber Foundation, 501c3, via PayPal or Venmo @fschamberfoundation, please note the Rink in the notes! Checks may also be made payable to the FS Area Chamber Foundation and mailed or dropped off at the Chamber, 231 E. Wall St with Rink in the memo.
Submitted graphic of a similar skating rink being purchased from Kwik-Rink, Maple Grove, Minnesota.
We hope to see you there for Networking * Community News * Refreshments!
Brickstreet BBQ is going on a year and a half of operation with its delectable in-house smoked meats and sides. Their non-barbecue items have been a huge hit as well for locals with wraps and fresh salads. They are moving right along into Fall with soups, bread bowls and pumpkin spice desserts.
They just received fantastic news that Brickstreet’s America’s Best Restaurants premiere date will be late October!
See their menu below!
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members shown below…
A HUGE Thank You to ALL of the businesses/organizations that entered the contest! We encourage EVERYONE to venture Downtown to view all the festive scarecrows! A special THANK YOU to KEY Apparel for sponsoring the contest and providing the winner 12 logoed t-shirts!
Core Community of Bourbon County, scarecrow located at Sleep Inn, 302 E. Wall
First Presbyterian Church, scarecrow located at Front Door Realty, 113 S. Main
Gross Insurance, 18 S. National
Guild Mortgage, 1 E. Wall
Kansas Teachers Community Credit Union, 24 S. National Ave.
Ruddick’s, 117 S. National Ave.
SEK Multi County Health Dept, scarecrow located in front of Iron Star, 3 N. Main
Sleep Inn, 302 E. Wall
SAVE THE DATE for the Downtown Halloween Parade, Saturday, October 26th with Festivities starting at 10am, Parade 11am!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
Fall Town – Wide Garage Sale in Fort Scott September 20th & 21st!
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce is EXCITED to announce the Fall Town – Wide Garage Sale happening September 20th & 21st!
Sales may be registered with the Chamber and listed on the official garage sale map for only $12. Those interested may register in person at the Chamber, over the phone by credit, debit or Venmo, or online at fortscott.com. The Chamber also offers display ads to businesses and organizations on the map for $35.
The deadline to register a sale on the official map is 1pm on Tuesday, September 17th.
The Chamber sincerely appreciates sales and ads being registered with the Chamber as those funds make it possible for the Chamber to host the event and cover expenses incurred on the event to bring as many people to the community as possible to shop the sales and patronize other businesses while here.
Contact the Chamber for more information at 620-223-3566 or visit fortscott.com.
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
Fall Town – Wide Garage Sale in Fort Scott September 20th & 21st!
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce is EXCITED to announce the Fall Town – Wide Garage Sale happening September 20th & 21st!
Sales may be registered with the Chamber and listed on the official garage sale map for only $12. Those interested may register in person at the Chamber, over the phone by credit, debit or Venmo, or online at fortscott.com. The Chamber also offers display ads to businesses and organizations on the map for $35.
The deadline to register a sale on the official map is 1pm on Tuesday, September 17th.
The Chamber sincerely appreciates sales and ads being registered with the Chamber as those funds make it possible for the Chamber to host the event and cover expenses incurred on the event to bring as many people to the community as possible to shop the sales and patronize other businesses while here.
Contact the Chamber for more information at 620-223-3566 or visit fortscott.com.
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
Free Friday Night Concerts are sponsored by the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce and coordinated by Ralph Carlson. The event is usually at First and Main Streets, Fort Scott. In case of inclement weather, the event is moved to indoor venues.
This Friday at 7 p.m. at the Heritage Park Pavilion Second Hand Strings will perform.
They are a local group that plays for us often,” said Ralph Carlson, facilitator of the free Friday Night Concerts, which is sponsored by the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce. “They are one of my favorites. They perform country and popular songs. In addition, they perform some original music.”
The group includes Tammie Helm, Mike Buller, Rosemary Harris, Jean Strader and Paul Milks.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces a Downtown Fall Fest evening shopping event featuring in-store specials, refreshments and drawings will take place Thursday, September 12th from 5pm to 8pm in the Downtown Historic District.
Stores will have festive offerings such as pumpkin snacks, hot cider, and a pumpkin passport to submit for a chance to win a Chamber Bucks gift certificate. Participating retailers open late for shopping include 110 South Main, Be the Light Boutique, Barbed Wire and Roses Vintage Market, Bids & Dibs, Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore, Iron Star Antiques & Such, Laree + Co, and Sunshine Boutique.
Additional activities happening in conjunction with Fall Fest include:
· Brickstreet BBQ will feature musicians Larry Davenport and Mark Ward of Double Trouble, performing live on their patio from 5pm-8pm.
· Redbud Farms & Nurseries will be selling mums, ornamental cabbage, pansies, and other fall plants in front of Lowell Milken Center.
· Ronnie Brown of R&B Produce will be selling pumpkins, gourds, and more at Wall and Main Streets.
The Chamber also organized a Scarecrow Contest for businesses and encourages the community to check out the entries placed around Downtown. Key Industries sponsored the contest, and the top business winner will receive one dozen logoed shirts and bragging rights for the year. The winner will be announced this week.
Downtown Fall Fest offers an opportunity to support local while taking in the season, finding great deals, and seeing what’s new in Fall décor and apparel.
Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information.
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
The Chamber Coffee was recently held at Walmart in July, but the store invites Chamber and guests back for a second time to keep the community informed on the remodel progress!
The following is a message from Store Manager Heather Magruder: “This week marks the fifth week of our Store Transformation and there are still several weeks before our Store Celebration. During this time, we sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding during our remodel. We know the changes may have caused some inconvenience, and we are truly grateful for your support and flexibility throughout this period. Your continued patronage has been crucial as we work to improve our space and services. Thank you for being such an important part of our community and for standing by us during this transition.”
Contact the Chamber of Commerce for more info.: (620) 223-3566
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members shown below…
Cherri can often be found at the Fort Scott Farmers’ Market which is held thru October, Tuesdays 4-6pm
Saturdays 8am-12pm
Gathering Square Pavilion, Downtown See more details & contact information on Tiny Greens & Herbs below!
Tiny Greens & Herbs, LLC. serves Bourbon County by providing year-round access to locally grown nutrient-packed wellness food. After the Walrod family experienced physical and mental health challenges a few years ago, they were looking for a way to increase nutrients in their diet while reducing exposure to toxic chemicals. Tiny Greens & Herbs, LLC. was born out of the need for their family to have year-round access to nutrient dense produce which is free of pesticides and herbicides.
The Walrod’s envisioned starting a small family business so their special needs children could learn to work, acquire transferable job skills and appreciate meaningful gainful employment. One of their goals is for their young children to be able to learn the business as they work towards a more independent life. Growing nutritious, toxin-free food for their family and their community, while also teaching their children the value of work is a triple-play win in their book. They feel the micro-greens taste amazing and invite everyone to come learn more and have samples this Thursday!
Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information.
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members shown below…
