Category Archives: Entertainment

Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott National Historic Site, History

Lots of Entertainment and History This Weekend at The Fort

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There will be plenty to keep a family interested in life  at the Fort during the American Civil War era.

“Experience it Without Needing to Enlist!,” according to a press release from the Fort Scott National Historic Site.

 

The Fort is hosting its Annual Civil War Encampment, April 15 and 16, this Saturday and Sunday.  One can experience artillery, cavalry, and infantry troops preparing for battle, smell bread baking, participate in discussions about troop and refugee support, and be serenaded by the Vogts Sisters, acoustic Americana-Folk act.

The Vogts sisters from their website.

“We are grateful to have the generous support and participation from the Holmes Brigade, Boy Scout Troop 0114, Friends of Fort Scott, Inc., Fort Smith National Historic Site’s Cavalry Troop, and plenty of new and old Fort Scott National Historic Site volunteers alike,” said Superintendent Jill Jaworski. in a press release. “We encourage everyone to step back in time and smell, hear, see, and experience life at the fort.”

 

Saturday: join the discussion with author and historian Isaias McCaffrey about the Indian Home Guard,  find out about the lives of women during the Civil War period, sit on the Officer’s front porch and learn about sewing and crocheting, be serenaded by the Vogts Sisters, and baking bread in the bakery, according to the press release.

Sunday: play authentic lawn games and participate in a discussion about being a Civil War refugee. The weekend is full of fun and games for the whole family straight from the 1800’s!

 

Encampment Schedule:

SATURDAY, APRIL 15

Interpreters will be at the firing range with historic weapons and doing demonstrations around the site throughout the day.

  • 9 a.m. Raising the Colors with the Boy Scout Troop 0114
  • 9:30 a.m. Infantry Drill and Weapons Demonstration
  • 10m. Cavalry Program
  • 10:30 a.m. Artillery Drill and Weapons Demonstration
  • 11 a.m. Isaias McCaffrey- Indian Home Guard Program
  • Noon Vogts Sisters Musical Performance
  • 1 p.m. Infantry Drill and Weapons Demonstration
  • 1:30 p.m. Lunette Blair Discussion
  • 2 p.m. Cavalry Program
  • 2:30 p.m. Women in the Army Discussion
  • 3 p.m. Vogts Sisters Musical Performance
  • 4 p.m. Flag Retreat with Troop 0114
  • 5 p.m. Artillery Drill and Weapons Demonstration
  • 8 p.m. Night Sky Program with the Kansas Astronomical Observers

 

SUNDAY, APRIL 16

  • Interpreters will be at the firing range with historic weapons and doing demonstrations around the site throughout the day.
  • 9 a.m. Raising the Colors
  • 10 a.m. Guided Tour of the Fort
  • 10:30 a.m. Artillery Drill and Weapons Demonstration
  • 11 a.m. Infantry Dress Parade, Drill, and Weapons Demonstration
  • Noon Cavalry Program
  • 1 p.m. Guided Tour of the Fort
  • 1:30 p.m. Lunette Blair Discussion
  • 2 p.m. Life as a Refugee Discussion
  • 2:30 p.m. Cavalry Program
  • 3 p.m. Artillery Drill and Weapons Demonstration
  • 3:30 p.m. Infantry Drill and Weapons Demonstration
  • 4 p.m. Flag Retreat

 

You are always welcome to wear a mask, and please remember to keep safe distances, wash your hands, and have fun, according to the press release.

 

Summer Hours of Operation

From April 1-October 31, Fort Scott National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service, is open for its summer hours of operation: daily from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Park grounds are open daily from a half hour before sunrise until a half hour after sunset. To find out more or become involved in activities at the Fort, please contact the park at 620-223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc

About The Fort and the National Parks System

Fort Scott National Historic Site is a fee free park that offers a glimpse into the growth of our nation. A walk through the fort reveals the significant role it played in the opening of the West, as well as, the Civil War and the strife in the State of Kansas that preceded it. For more information call the park at 620-223-0310, visit us at www.nps.gov/fosc, on Facebook www.facebook.com/FortScottNPS, Twitter www.twitter.com/FortScottNPS, and Instagram www.instagram.com/fortscottnps   

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s over 420 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Entertainment, Fort Scott

Star Wars Fans, Celebrate May the Fourth at the Library

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Marlie Seaver behind a Darth Vader selfie prop
Submitted photo.

 

Submitted by Valetta Cannon, Youth Librarian & Asst. Director at Fort Scott Public Library

Each year, across the globe, fans of the Star Wars franchise celebrate on May the Fourth, chosen as a spinoff of the phrase “May the Force be with you.” On May 4th, commonly known as Star Wars Day, Valetta Cannon (known to local kids as Miss Val) invites fans of all ages to come celebrate at the Fort Scott Public Library. The library will present film screenings, snacks, crafts, games, a selfie station, and other activities in the event room, from 10 am to 4 pm. Activities will be self-directed, although Miss Val will come and join participants when possible. Fans are invited to come in costume and to have library staff take their photos in front of the new backdrop. This event is free and open to the public.

Ainsley Wheeler holding a lightsaber craft. Submitted photo.
Entertainment, Fort Scott

Celebrate Earth Day at the Library on Maker Monday

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Valetta Cannon
Fort Scott Public Library
Youth Librarian & Assistant Director. Submitted photo.

 

Submitted by Valetta Cannon, Youth Librarian & Asst. Director at Fort Scott Public Library

Join Miss Val at Fort Scott Public Library on April 17 at 4:15 pm for a reduce, reuse, and recycle-themed Maker Monday.

Attendees will choose from a wide variety of cardboard pieces and recyclables to create anything they can imagine.

Utilize the library’s maker cart and art supplies to make art, engineer a motion-powered machine, create something functional, or make a piece that no one has dreamt of before.

Enjoy snacks and bottled water to keep your creative juices flowing.

Everest Cannon at a table during our last cardboard maker event.

This will be the final Maker Monday of the school year. The program is free and open to the public.

Entertainment, Food, Fort Scott, Youth

Family Entertainment Venue Coming to Fort Scott

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Patrick MacDonald stands in the newly repurposed room of the Gamerz Lodge.

Patrick MacDonald, also known as PatMac, has purchased the building at 16 Scott Avenue and has been working to make the place into a family fun venue with the name of Gamerz Lodge.

“The community asked for a family fun entertainment space and that’s what I’m doing here,” he said. “Roughly 10,000 square feet of fun!”

Patrick moved here from Kansas City last year to invest in Pizza Republic after owning a few pizza businesses over the last 30 years. “I love this community,” he said.  “I saw this as a way to give back to the community and invest in Fort Scott. Down here I can make a difference.”

The first floor will be his first focus to show what Gamerz Lodge is about.

“We’ll have a few TVs, arcade games, air hockey, shuffleboard, and pool tables,” MacDonald said. “We’re also introducing a ‘leveled up’ concession stand. Some of your favorites with a ‘PatMac’ twist. There will also be ice cream!”

It will be an events center for small concerts and a place for birthday parties as well.

“People can really use this space for creative classes, meetings, comedy shows, and gatherings,” he said. “It has so much potential.”

The renovation of the building, which most recently housed Darlene’s Collectibles, is a huge undertaking. “It’s a lot to take on for one guy but I’m definitely up for the challenge,” he said. “If there’s an investor out there give me a holler!” he said.

MacDonald’s email address is [email protected].

The tentative opening is June 1.

THE SECOND FLOOR

The second floor has a large ballroom and two 30 feet x30 feet rooms. The ballroom held meetings and dances from the days of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, whose emblem is on the outside of the 1924-era building. Some memorabilia still lines the walls.

“The second floor will grow with the business,” he said. “I see cornhole tournaments, VR space, and potentially a putt-putt golf.”

MacDonald also sees the opportunity to create a wedding venue or an Airbnb on this level.

“I see a whole baseball team from LaRoche Stadium could stay here,” he said.  “Games, food, and family. What else do you need?”

Patrick McDonald stands in front of the building he purchased at 16 Scott Avenue.

 

The outside of the building that Patrick MacDonald purchased has the emblem of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the date of the building’s erection, 1924.
One of many plaques on the walls of the large room on the second floor of the building that MacDonald purchased.
Entertainment, Food, Fort Scott, Youth

Fort Scott Kiwanis Annual Easter Egg Hunt

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The Easter Bunny poses with some fans at the Fort Scott Kiwanis Easter Egg Hunt on April 1 at Gunn Park. Submitted photo.

On April 1, the Fort Scott Kiwanis Club sponsored their annual  Easter Egg Hunt in Gunn Park.

Egg hunters begin their search at the Fort Scott Kiwanis Easter Egg Hunt, April 1, 2023. Submitted photos.

Kiwanis members distributed over 1,500 eggs filled with candy, prizes, and coupons from area merchants into the park in areas designated by age groups.  Approximately 75 children participated in the event.

Submitted photo.

 

The Kiwanis sponsors who donated either money, or coupon’s from their place of business are as follows:

 

Big Sugar Lumber                                              Iron Star Antiques & Such

Dairy Queen                                                      Marsha’s Deli

Diehl, Banwart, Bolton, CPA’s PA                       McDonald’s

Don’s Spirits & Wines                                        Merle Humphrey Photography

Fort Cinema                                                      NuGrille

Flowers By Leanna                                            R&R Equipment

Heidrick’s True Value                                         Wal-Mart

Submitted photo.
Submitted photo.

Submitted by John Crain.

Entertainment, Food, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

CHAMBER ANNUAL CELEBRATION PLANNED FOR April 20th

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 The River Room Event Center is located on the second floor.

 

FORT SCOTT – The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces their 2023 Annual Dinner & Awards Celebration will take place Thursday, April 20th at the River Room Event Center, 3 W. Oak Street in Downtown Fort Scott.  The theme this year is “Let’s Get Fired Up and Celebrate Our Community!” where the event will be a fun evening of recognizing businesses, organizations, and individuals who make a great impact on Fort Scott and Bourbon County.

All are welcome to attend, and reservations can be made online at fortscott.com/events or by calling the Chamber at 620-223-3566.  The deadline for reservations is Friday, April 14th.  The evening will begin with a social hour and silent auction at 5:30pm, followed by dinner, awards, and live auction at 6:30pm.  Reservations are $40 for individuals and table pricing for a table of eight is $360.  Dinner will be catered by Brickstreet BBQ.

The Chamber is accepting businesses and organizations to decorate tables for advertising and promotion and is also accepting donations for the silent and live auctions.  Contact the Chamber at 620-223-3566 or email [email protected] by Friday, April 14th to make reservations.

 

 

Entertainment, Fort Scott

Elevate Fort Scott: Bringing Entertainment Events To Town

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Brad Matkin. Submitted photo.

Elevate Fort Scott is one of several community “movers and shakers” groups that have have organized recently to improve the quality of life in the community.

“Besides our Elevate Fort Scott group there are several other groups that are making things happen and bringing great events to Fort Scott,” said Brad Matkin, one of the organizers of Elevate Fort Scott. “Advance Bourbon County, Fort Scott Forward, and others have been working very hard to bring in events and activities for our citizens and visitors to enjoy.”

“We are not only looking for a strong 2023 but are already planning some events for 2024 we feel everyone will enjoy and be excited about,” he said.

“While talking to one of the current members, I told them I felt I wanted to get a group together that wanted to make Fort Scott a place to be and to put on events that would make us a destination place plus add more things for our citizens to do,” Brad Matkin, group member said. “Even though I am the one that thought of getting this group together it is the six other members that make Elevate Fort Scott successful, they do the leg work and put in the time to make these events a reality.”

The group is comprised of Cory Bryars, Kirk Sharp, Jackson Tough, Josh Jones, Diane Striler, Lindsay Madison, and Matkin.

They first met last year around November, he said.

“The purpose of this group is to come up with positive ways and events to help Fort Scott grow, to show visitors what Fort Scott has to offer, and to get citizens involved in the many great things Fort Scott has to offer,” he said. “We are not trying to reinvent the wheel with the events we are working on, just trying to build off the already great events Fort Scott has to offer”

“Our goal is to think of an idea, work to get it started, then hand it off to a charity organization to put it on and raise money for their cause,” Matkin said. “Our group is not generating any funding for the events and are not involved in that part of the event; we just want to help get more things going in our great town and help the charities raise money.”

Events in The Works

“This group has been working on a lot of different ideas that are still in the early stages, but I can tell you we have added a BBQ cook-off that will share Riverfront Park with the second annual Care to Share/Sharing Bucket Fall Festival and Blues Festival,” he said.

The Riverfront Park Pavilion had its ribbon cutting in May 2018. Riverfront Park is the sight of this years Care to Share Fall Festival and Blues Festival.

“We are also working on a newly named Christmas on the Bricks that will take place of Christmas in the Park that has been a yearly tradition for Fort Scott,” Matkin said. “Christmas on the Bricks will offer the opportunity for the uptown shops to bring out their holiday flare and stay open late for holiday shopping. We are looking at this event to flow along right with the Christmas Parade, Artificers Christmas Shoppe, and the Annual National Historic Site Candlelight Tour. Some of the things we have already planned is a movie night,  a Christmas concert, carolers, chili, and much more.”

 

“Some of the newest things this group has brought to life is a ‘Rock-N-Roll Karaoke’ which will allow people to sing with a real band,” he said. “This will be held at Memorial Hall on June 9th. ‘Almost Kiss’ will be at Memorial Hall on November 18th.  They are a cover band for the Legendary Rock band Kiss and is one of only six Kiss tribute bands that former Kiss star Gene Simmons endorses.”

 

 

Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fort Scott

St. Martin’s Academy Featured at Common Ground Coffee Shop This Friday

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Common Ground Coffee Co. presents the students of Saint Martin’s Academy, 1950 Indian Road, this Friday. The concert will be a celebration of St. Patrick’s Day featuring vocal solos, duets, and ensemble numbers. The music department is under the direction of Dave Agee and Daniel Kerr.

Common Ground Coffee Shop.

The one-hour concert begins at 7 p.m. at 12 E. Wall Street. The show is free and open to the public.  Bring a friend and join us for an enjoyable evening of young and lively music!

Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fort Scott

Advance Bourbon County: New Non-Profit

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Josh Jones.

Local businessman, Josh Jones, has started a non-profit foundation that will provide funding for projects in the community.

“This community has meant a lot to me and my family and we wanted to find a way to give back,” Jones said. “We felt like this was a good way to make a long term impact.”

“The purpose of Advance Bourbon County is to find ways to make our community better through charitable contributions and work,” Jones said.

“I have asked Bailey Lyons and Katie Hueston to come on board and help me with this adventure, as they have been just amazing and have put so much time, effort, and passion into the splash pad and sensory park project,” he said.

Bailey Lyons from Lyons Realty Group Facebook page.
Katie Hueston. Credit photo: Facebook page of Lyons Realty Group.
“We are a 100% volunteer foundation with 100% of all proceeds going back to the community,” according to the Advance Bourbon County Facebook page. “Our fundraising tactics will be through events, grants, and grass root donations from citizens with a vested interest in seeing our community thrive.”
The Fort Scott Splash Pad and Sensory Park will be located on Skubitz Plaza, just off of North National Avenue. The project will be completed this year. From the project’s Facebook page.

The splash pad and sensory park will be put in place in 2023, following the fundraising efforts of Jones, Lyons and Hueston and others.

“My goal is a core of us handle the majority of day to day things and we work with other groups/people on different projects as a team, as the need arises,” he said. “We really want this to be a grass roots foundation that involves all.”

In the past few months, this group has bought a comedy show and an illusionist to town to help fund the splash pad/sensory park that will be located in the downtown area of Fort Scott.

They have many events they are collaborating with others in town to make happen for 2023.

The following are those projects:

On April 1, the group is helping to organize the Blue Collar Awards, that will be honoring the manual workers in the community.

“We are working together with Aaron Judy on this,” Jones said.

On April 15, they are organizing the Greg Morton Comedy Show for the community, comedian Andrew Rose will be opening for Morton.

On June 9, they are working together with Cory Bryars and Brad Matkin to make a Live Band Karaoke happen.

On July 1, in collaboration with Bill Michaud, they are bringing the  Game Show Road Show to the community.

On August 26,  another comedian, Todd Royce, will be coming to town.

On November 18  in collaboration with Cory Bryars and Brad Matkin the Almost Kiss Tribute Band will be in town.

On December 1-2 there will be Christmas on the Bricks
There are working with another group,  Elevate Fort Scott, which includes Diane Striler, Kirk Sharp, Cory Bryars, Lindsey Madison, and Brad Matkin.

  • Fundraising to help purchase AED units for the Fort Scott Fire Department.

An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a medical device designed to analyze the heart rhythm and deliver an electric shock to victims of sudden cardiac arrest, to restore the heart rhythm to normal, according to https://www.osha.gov/aed

  • Fund raising that will go towards updating Memorial Hall.
  •  Rehabbing and refurbishing the caboose at Fisher Park and possibly moving it to a focal point at the entrance of Fort Scott.
  •  Continuing to bring in more events for the community to enjoy, according to the ABC Facebook page.

 

For those interested in donating:

“Getting a foothold as a new non profit is challenging,” according to the ABC Facebook page. “In just a few short months we have already raised over $20,000 through events and fundraisers. However raising awareness for our cause is crucial if we are truly going to make any long term impact.
We would love if you would consider making a donation to our cause of making Bourbon County an even better place for us to live and helping us with our charitable projects.”

“They can follow and message us on Facebook at Advance Bourbon County 501C3,” he said.  “They can bring donations by Bourbon County Cars (where Jones is the general sales manager), send donations through Venmo, or take donations to Citizens Bank in Fort Scott and deposit into our charity account”

 

Entertainment, Food, Fort Scott

Sock Hop Family Dance March 3

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Sending on behalf of Chamber Member
Museum of Creativity…
Dress up like it’s 1953 and come celebrate Barbie with fun, music, dancing, dinner, and dessert!
There will be a hotdog dinner combo which includes; hotdog with bun, soda, and chips.
There will also have an ice cream bar with Braum’s ice cream and classic toppings.
Prize awarded if you come in costume.
This event takes place on Friday, March 3rd 2023 from 5-10pm and you can come and go as you please.
Tickets:
Pre-registration price $10/person
At the door $12/person
Unlimited ice cream is $3 more per person
To pre-register email [email protected]
or text 209.204.9743
Disclaimer: We are not handicap accessible yet. We would be happy to assist you into the building.
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott

Marsha Fest: 80s Music on March 4 at the Liberty Theater

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Marsha Lancaster died in September 2021 at the age of 54, but those who knew her, want to continue to honor her legacy of supporting community youth sports.

There will be a fundraiser in her honor on Saturday, March 4 at 8 p.m. at the Fort Scott Liberty Theater. Tickets are $35.

“Marsha Lancaster was a Fort Scott native and lived her entire life at 2nd and Hill Street,” said her friend Rhonda Dunn, who is helping with the annual event in remembrance of her.  “She was active in many things in school including sports like basketball and volleyball.  After attending Fort Scott Community College (FSCC), Marsha bought the Great Plains Deli and her food was legendary in the area.”

To learn more of Lancaster: Obituary of Marsha Lancaster

Marsha’s Deli was known as a local eatery that offered generous portions and a welcoming, down-home atmosphere.

Today her nephew, Brian Lancaster, owns Marsha’s Deli and strives to continue her legacy.

Marsha’s Deli is located at 6 W. 18th Street in Fort Scott.

“She supported many organizations and teams through the years,” Dunn said.  “She fed many teams that traveled to Fort Scott.  It was a tradition for the FSCC Coaches to bring prospective athletes to the Deli for a welcome from Marsha and their first meal at the Deli. Marsha didn’t know a stranger and was amazing at making everyone feel welcomed as soon as they walked through her Deli doors. Marsha was a Fort Scott legend.”

A girl who grew up in 1980s, Marsha Fest will have an 80s Hair Band Rock group to entertain the attendees.

“Baloney Ponyz (a naughty 80s joke) is from the KC area and plays 80s Hair Band Rock music,” Dunn said.  “Many of the members of Baloney Ponyz are also members of Disco Dick and the Mirror Balls as well as Legends of Rock.”

The event is sponsored by the Lancaster family. Profits from the event are going to support the Fort Scott High School Sports Booster Club, Dunn said.

“Marsha always enjoyed watching sports and made sure to support the area sports teams by donating or making treats for them to enjoy on game days and we want to keep that legacy alive,” Dunn said. “The proceeds from last year’s Marsha Fest went to Care to Share and the Splash Pad.”

For the latest information, view the Marsha Fest Facebook page.