Category Archives: Entertainment

New in Riverfront Park: Labyrinth In Memory of Allen Warren

Jackie Warren at the memorial , a labyrinth path, at Riverfront Park for her late husband, Allen Warren. Her husband was on the Riverfront Authority Board until his recent death. Jackie and Allen  volunteered labor and equipment to help construct the park, according to Jerry Witt. Submitted photo.
The Belltown Trail in Riverfront Park continues to be popular, even though Fort Scott is under a heat advisory, according to Jerry Witt.  “Many exercise enthusiasts continue to walk the trail under the shade of the tree lined path.”
“A lot of people use the park,” he said.
Witt is chairman of a board called the Riverfront Authority  that has been improving the park on North National Avenue in Fort Scott since 2005.
There is a new addition to the park added this summer.
The Fort Scott Area Community Foundation awarded a $1,500 grant to construct a labyrinth path, according to Witt. A labyrinth concrete pad has been completed next to the west side of the half-mile Belltown Trail.  A labyrinth is a complex and circuitous path that leads from a beginning point to a center.
“It was Allen Warren’s idea to construct a labyrinth path in Riverfront Park,” he said.  “He met with his Methodist minister, Christopher Eshelman, and Riverfront staff to talk about the possibilities of this being placed in Riverfront Park. But before the final plans were in place, Allen passed away.”
For the many hours of volunteer labor and use of his tractor equipment donated to the park construction,  Witt decided to go ahead with the project and dedicate the labyrinth to Allen’s memory.
“The 24 ft. by 24 ft. concrete pad structure can be used by citizens to walk it’s path for meditation or just as a playful path for exercise,” Witt said. ” A plaque to honor Allen will be placed by the structure.”
History of Riverfront Park
Members of Fort Scott Bourbon County Riverfront Authority discuss updates on construction projects at Riverfront Park in 2017. From left clockwise: Dan Magee, Bob Love, Allen Warren, Jerry Witt and Jeff Sweetser.

The park began as an outshoot of a town wide visioning event in 2005, when citizens wanted to develop the Marmaton River as an asset to the community.

“Dean Mann saw the vision of a riverfront park and he was the original chairman, until he retired several years ago,” Witt said.

The Fort Scott Bourbon County Riverfront Authority was formed in April 2007, with approval from then Kansas Governor Sebelius.

Their mission was to purchase and develop land along the river to create a park and they also created a master plan.

“We had to have property owners buy in to the vision of the park,” Witt said. “Most donated land to the Riverfront Park.” That process took years.

The Belltown Trail information kiosk at Riverfront Park.

Since then the following has been put in the park: a lighted walkway, parking spaces, an observation deck at rivers edge, a pavilion and a loop drive on the south side of the river which goes under Hwy. 69.

Riverfront Park’s overlook structure in 2021.

Local artist Stephan Toal has beautified the inside of the underpass with historical murals.

Murals by Stephen Toal. Submitted photo.

The Fort Scott Garden Club has planted and maintained a flower garden on the south side, with the Fort Scott Fire Department watering it. The City of Fort Scott put in a facility in the southwest part of the trail for people to fill their water bottles.

“The city has plans to build a walkway from the north side of the bridge to the Bell Town Trail, probably this fall,” Witt said.

Paul Ballou, who works for the city helps maintain the park and does “a great job,” Witt said.

The park has been used for weddings, business meetings on nice days,  car shows and many other events..

“There will be a festival in the park on Sept. 30,” Witt said. “It will be all day and feature Bluegass music and a car show.”

To reserve the pavilion, one must call the city offices at 223-0550.

Members of the Riverfront Authority at the ribbon cutting of the  pavilion in 2018. From left Allen Warren, Arnold Schofield, Danny Magee, Jerry Witt, Dean Mann and Betty Boyko.

Current members of the Riverfront Authority board: Penny Barnes, Dan Magee, Bob Love, Arnold Schofield, Jeff Sweetser and Witt. Mann remains an ex-officio member, and Kate Sweetser is a part of the group as well, Witt said.

 

What’s Happening in Fort Scott

What’s Happening in Fort Scott! July 28th Weekly Newsletter

The above photo is of the Farmers’ Market which is held every Tuesday from 4-6pm and Saturday’s from 8am-12pm, located at Skubitz Plaza in front of the Fort!

UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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Fort Scott National Historic Site

Daily Guided Tours: 10am & 1pm

Special activities all this weekend! See link below.

Visit your National Park!

Trolley Tours of Fort Scott

50-minute narrated historical tour

Every Friday & Saturday on the hour

Fridays 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm

Saturdays 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm

$6 adults, $4 12 & under, leaves from the Chamber

Click this link: The Artificers

August pottery class/workshop

schedule, a creative space for all ages!

Click here for all the FUN activities at the

Museum of Creativity, something for all ages!

BINGO hosted by the American Legion Post 25 every 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month unless it falls on a holiday. Doors open at 6pm and Bingo starts at 7pm at Memorial Hall.

Fort Scott Public Library Summer Schedule has ALOT of fun things to do! Click here to see!

The Lavender Patch Farm will be open many days throughout the month of July, click here for specific hours/dates.

7/28 ~ Otis Nixon Youth Baseball Camp, $20/per participant, ages 7-15, call Steve Anthony at 620.215.2392 for more info!

7/28 ~ Special Olympics Golf Tournament Horse Race, come out and be part of the gallery, starting at 5pm, Woodland Hills Golf Course!

7/28 ~ GRAND OPENING of the Splash pad and Sensory Park! Music, food trucks, and so much fun for all ages, RIBBON CUTTING is at 5:30pm with the opening of the splash pad to follow, Skubitz Plaza, click here for more info!

7/28 ~ Friday Night Concert in the Park will be held at the First United Methodist Church this week for a special Branson Show, concert starts at 6pm, click here for more info!

7/28 ~ Uniontown Live Music Event Featuring Country Singer Rick Hite, Ice Cream Social starting at 6:15pm, music @ 7pm, Uniontown Park, click here for more info!

7/28 ~ Book Signing Meet & Greet at Fort Scott Munitions featuring Jessica Lynch Former POW Iraq 2003, books will be available on site for purchase, starts at 3pm, click here for more info.

7/28 ~ Absolutely Country, Definitely Gospel Faith’s Journey in Concert at First United Methodist Church, 6pm, click here for more info!

7/29 ~ Rumble on the Bricks, family friendly car meet on Skubitz Plaza, all vehicles are welcome, 3pm, click here for more info!

7/29 ~ BBCO Golf Scramble for Special Olympics Kansas, starting at 7am, awards/raffle prizes/ and silent auction will be later in the evening,

click here for more info!

7/31 ~ Sports Physicals and Immunizations at Bourbon County Health Department, call the health department to schedule an appointment time, or click here for more info!

8/2 ~ Mammography Event hosted by Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, no appt or referral needed, 7am-7pm, click here for more info!

8/2 ~ Wednesday Writers at Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore, all are welcome with an interest in writing, 1:30-3pm, click here for more info!

8/3 ~ Chamber Coffee and Ribbon Cutting hosted by Laree + Co, 3 S. National Ave, 8am

8/4 ~ Backroom Art Gallery 1st Friday at Hare & Crow, 118 S. Main, 1-9pm, click here for more info!

8/4 ~ First Friday at the Artificers, 8 N. National, stop by browse art/have light refreshments/enjoy good company, 5-8pm, click here for more info!

8/4-5 ~ Sales Tax Holiday Weekend, customers receive a discount equal to the sales tax of 9.4% on purchase, see flyer below for details.

8/5-6 ~ Woodland Hills City Championship, $65 per person, Men’s (18-50)/36 holes, Women’s/18 holes, Senior 55+/27 holes (completed on Saturday), Juniors 12-17/18 holes, click here for more info!

8/5 ~ Grand Re-opening and Lillian’s 7th Birthday at Laree + Co, enjoy treats/food trucks/door prizes/vendors, 10:30am-3pm, click here for more info!

8/5 ~ First Saturday Story Time at Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore, come enjoy a guest reader and an activity, 2:30-3:30pm, click here for more info!

8/5 ~ End of Summer Craft Creations, River Room, 8am-5pm, click here for more info!

8/5 Keith Meech Benefit, Fort Scott Elks Lodge, 12pm Scottish Doubles Pool Tourn, 3-5pm Pulled Pork Sandwich Meal, 5-6pm Live Auction, click here for flyer.

8/6 ~ Champions Forever Event by Advance Bourbon County, Fort Scott High School, 7-10pm, click here for more info!

8/10 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by Old Fort Genealogical Society, 221 S. National Ave, 8am

8/12 ~ Poverty Paradigm by Core Community of Bourbon County, Tickets are $10, all are welcomed and encouraged to attend, Fort Scott Middle School, click here for more info!

SAVE THE DATE!

8/24 ~ Chamber Coffee and Ribbon Cutting at Structure by Margo, 19 S. National Ave.

8/26 ~ Todd Royce Comedy at Memorial Hall, 7-10pm, click here for more info.

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SHOPPING ~ SUPPORT LOCAL!

Boutiques-Antiques-Flea Markets & more!

Click here for Chamber member

specialty shopping & other retail in

Downtown & other areas of the community.

Fort Scott Area
Chamber of Commerce
620-223-3566
In This Issue

Calendar of Events

Special Event Features

THANK YOU Chamber Champion members!!

Chamber Highlights
Click here for our
Membership Directory.
We THANK our members for their support! Interested in joining the Chamber?
Click here for info.
Thinking of doing business in or relocating to Fort Scott?
Contact us for a relocation packet, information on grants & incentives, and more!
Seeking a job/career?
We post a Job of the Day daily on our Facebook page, distribute a monthly job openings flyer, and post jobs on our website.
Many opportunities available!
Housing needs?
Click here for a listing of our Chamber member realtors.
Click here for our rental listing.

Book Signing with Jessica Lynch Former POW Iraq 2003, Fort Scott Munitions!

Friday Night Concert in the Park

will be held @ First United Methodist Church tonight, July 28th, 6pm!

Click here for info.!

Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting of the Splash Pad and Sensory Park! Come out and enjoy music, food trucks, and so much fun for ALL ages!

Sports Physicals & Immunizations at Bourbon County Health Department!

Mammography Event hosted by Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas!

Keith Meech Benefit – Pulled Pork Dinner – Live Auction – Raffle!

Friday Night Free Concert: Faith’s Journey

Faith’s Journey. Submitted photo.

This week’s Friday Night Concert will be a special performance by Faith’s Journey, a trio from Branson, Mo. The concert will begin at 6 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 301 S. National Ave., which is bringing this concert to the public.

A free-will offering will be accepted.

Faith’s Journey is a ministry of music that performs over 120 dates a year from coast to coast. This ministry is comprised of Jonathan Edwards, MC and baritone for the group; his wife Deana Edwards soprano; and Scott Roberts, tenor and pianist.

Faith’s Journey has ministered on small and large stages across the country singing great traditional gospel music. They have been featured performers at Branson’s Silver Dollar City as well as had their music played on radio stations across the country.

Friday Night Concerts are organized by Ralph Carlson and sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce. Sound support is provided by Dave’s Music and Jim Butler.