Category Archives: Entertainment

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

CHAMBER ANNOUNCES 3rd ANNUAL CHRISTMAS ON THE BRICKS FESTIVAL December 4th – 7th, 2025

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The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces the 3rd Annual Christmas on the Bricks Festival will take place Thursday, December 4th through Sunday, December 7th throughout Fort Scott’s Downtown Historic District.

 

This year’s festivities begin Thursday evening with the annual Parade of Lights, themed “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” The parade begins at 6 p.m., traveling along the brick-lined streets, and concluding with the lighting of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree.  The ceremony will feature a performance by the Fort Scott High School Select Ensemble, followed by a fireworks display and a kettle-corn booth. Families are then invited to the Celebration Room at Papa Don’s Pizza for Pictures with Santa.

 

New attractions for 2025 include a hay climb slide and Santa’s Express Train Rides for children at 121 E. 2nd St. in the Bids & Dibs parking lot. The festival also welcomes country music artist Jake Gill and his five-piece band, performing Friday evening at Liberty Theatre as part of his “Home for Christmas” holiday tour.

 

Throughout the weekend, downtown Fort Scott will be filled with holiday activities and entertainment, including a synthetic ice-skating rink, candlelight tours of the Fort Scott National Historic Site National Park, horse-drawn carriage rides, historical trolley tours, a living nativity, late-night shopping, Holiday Market vendors, music BINGO, Christmas Karaoke, The Artificers 9th Annual Artist Showcase, wreath-making and floral centerpiece classes, a gingerbread house contest, a Christmas paint party and lettering class, candy-making demonstrations, firepits with s’mores, and specialty tastings featuring bourbon, beer, whiskey, and wine.

 

Young visitors will enjoy writing Letters to Santa and creating holiday crafts at Santa’s Workshop, located inside the Empress Event Center. Complimentary gift wrapping for purchases made from local retailers during the festival will also be available at the Empress.

 

Some activities and classes—such as carriage rides, workshops, tastings, and special events—require advance registration. Attendees are encouraged to visit fortscott.com/Christmas-on-the-bricks to register early and ensure they don’t miss out on limited-space opportunities.

 

Commemorative festival merchandise – including sweatshirts, long-sleeved tees, canvas bags, and brick-ornament keepsakes – is now available online at fortscott.com/Christmas-on-the-bricks, with a limited supply also available at the Information Booth at Wall and Main Streets during the event.

 

The Chamber encourages everyone to follow the Fort Scott Christmas on the Bricks Facebook page and visit  fortscott.com/Christmas-on-the-bricks for updates, announcements, and complete event details. Printed schedules will soon be available at the Chamber of Commerce and downtown businesses.  For more information, contact the Chamber at 620-223-3566.

***

Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fort Scott

Skating Rink Is Prepared For Christmas on the Bricks

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Volunteers from left: Craig Campbell, Jared Weaver, and Matthew Wells, with the sledgehammer, lay the floor for the synthetic skate rink at the Gathering Pavilion on North National Avenue on November 13.

The skate rink in downtown Fort Scott will soon be ready for the December 5 opening.

The Glide Fort Scott is a 48-by-28-foot synthetic ice skating rink located under the Gathering Square Pavilion, just west of the Fort Scott National Historic Site. across from Brickstreet BBQ Restaurant.

Volunteers Craig Campbell, Jared Weaver and Matthew Wells , along with some inmates from the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center, were assembling the flooring on November 13 on a mild fall day.

Matt Wells, Craig Campbell, a Bourbon County Jail inmate, and Jared Weaver assemble the flooring for the rink on November 13. A Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Deputy is at far right.

Campbell, Weaver, and Wells volunteered last year also on the project, which was disassembled and stored until the annual Christmas on the Bricks weekend this December. Robert Coon also volunteered to use his skid steer to move all the materials from storage to the rink site. The flooring materials were made last year and stored, and are now reused for the project.

Once the flooring was finished, the next step was the railing around the perimeter of the rink, then the Christmas lights.

The Glide Fort Scott, from its Facebook page.

 

Volunteers work on the skate rink in preparation for the Dec. 5 opening date.

For more information:

(620) 223-3566
[email protected]
theglidefortscott · 
Confirmed link
fortscott.com/the-glide-fort-scott
The Glide Fort Scott during the Christmas season 2024, from its Facebook page.

 

Taken from the Christmas on the Bricks Facebook page.
Area News, Entertainment, History

Roosevelt Living History Performance in Pittsburg on November 20

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Step Back in Time with Teddy Roosevelt:

Stilwell Heritage and Education Foundation Presents Dinner with Teddy Roosevelt – November 20, 2025

Pittsburg, KS – The Stilwell Heritage and Education Foundation invites the community to an evening with America’s most dynamic president, Theodore Roosevelt, brought vividly to life through a captivating living-history performance on Wednesday, November 20, 2025, in the Timmons Ballroom at the Stilwell Hotel, 707 N. Broadway, Pittsburg, Kansas.

This engaging event features nationally recognized Teddy Roosevelt reenactor Joe Wiegand, who embodies the 26th president’s larger-than-life personality—his grit, humor, and vision that shaped a nation. Performing as Theodore Roosevelt, Wiegand will share stories from Roosevelt’s lifetime. From battling asthma and taking boxing lessons as a young boy to challenging special interests as President of the United States, Wiegand brings Theodore Roosevelt to life with energy, intelligence, and wit reminiscent of the original. Following a 45-minute presentation, he will take questions from the audience as Teddy Roosevelt.

“We’re thrilled to bring this kind of living history to Stilwell,” said Foundation President Lyndon Lawson. “It’s a chance for families, students, and history lovers to connect with the past in a way that feels alive and relevant today. It’s as if we are able to step back in time to when Teddy Roosevelt spoke at the Hotel Stilwell.”

Proceeds from the event will support the Stilwell Heritage and Education Foundation’s ongoing efforts to preserve the historic building, renovate the apartments for senior and low-income housing, and provide educational programming for the community.

Tickets are on sale now for $45.00 each (which includes dinner, drink, and dessert). Doors and the silent auction will open at 5:30 p.m. Meet-and-Greet tickets can be purchased for an additional $20.00; the VIP Meet-and-Greet will begin at 5:30 p.m. Dinner and the program will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.givebutter.com/stilwelltrevent or by calling the Hotel Stilwell. Seating is limited, so advance purchase is strongly encouraged.

Join us for a night of inspiration, laughter, and history as President Roosevelt himself takes the stage and reminds us to “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”

Event sponsored by Explore Crawford County, Pittsburg State University, and the Stilwell Heritage and Education Foundation.

Entertainment, Fort Scott National Historic Site

Candlelight Tour At The Fort Is Carrying On, Although Reduced, On December 5-6

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Fort Scott National Historic Site glows during the annual candlelight tour event. This photo is from 2019.

The U.S. federal government shut down on Oct. 1,, 2025 after lawmakers failed to resolve a budget deadlock, halted some federal operations, according to    https://www.ncsl.org/in-dc/federal-government-shutdown-what-it-means-for-states-and-programs Triggered by partisan clashes over funding beyond Sept. 30, the shutdown has created uncertainty for many federal programs.

The local Fort Scott National Historic Site is a government facility.

The annual Candlelight Tour at the Fort has a Friends of the Fort Scott National Historic Site group that is providing press releases and ticket sales for the event during the shutdown.

They are doing their best to make it happen, although reduced in scope, according to Matthew Wells, president of the Friends organization.

They will put out the candles on the walkways of the fort and there may be a few vignettes of life on the prairie in the fort.

“My wife and family may have a vignette,” said Friends of the Fort President Matthew Wells. “We love doing it and love the fort.”

“Our main goal is to get the candles out for the people to enjoy the beautiful fort,” he said.

“We don’t believe we have time to learn the scripts and music, etc.,” with the buildings being closed for the shutdown, he said. “The government isn’t open to do any of it.”

The Fort’s employees are government employees,

But as in years past, on  November 1, 2025, tickets for Fort Scott National Historic Site’s 44th Annual Candlelight Tour went on sale.

The group is  doing the preliminary work to have the event and will be providing music and refreshments, as in the past.

However, how you purchase your ticket is changing for the event this year.

The following information is from the Friends of the Fort organization, via a press release:

Tickets are available by three sources;

1)  log onto fofs.ludus.com to make your payment,

2) contact the Chamber of Commerce in Fort Scott, 231 E. Wall.

3) If the shutdown ends, tickets can be picked up at the fort’s visitor center on Old Fort Boulevard, just north of Fort Scott’s downtown area.

Tickets are $5 per person and are non-refundable; children, 5 and under, are free.

It is recommended that you get your tickets early to ensure your choice of tour times, as this event frequently sells out.

The 44th Annual Candlelight Tour is Friday and Saturday, December 5 and 6, 2025.

Tours on December 5 will begin at 6:30 pm and leave every 15 minutes until 9 pm.

On Saturday, December 6, the tours will start at 5 pm with the final tour leaving at 9 pm. Please arrive 10 minutes early to allow time to park, present/pick up your ticket, and get oriented.

Participants are advised to please dress for the weather and conditions, as the tour will be outside and on sidewalks.

 

1,000 candle lanterns illuminate the site, and re-enactors (including you) bring the fort to life. During the tour, you will be immersed in ways people have overcome and learned from challenges and new experiences in Fort Scott.

Depending on the end of the Government shutdown, it may look different this year than years past, but we encourage you to come enjoy the beauty of the Historic site in candlelight, according to the press release.

National parks remain as accessible as possible during the federal government shutdown. However, some services may be limited or unavailable. For more information, please visit: doi.gov/shutdown

Entertainment, Fort Scott, Government, Schools, Youth

FSHS Thespians Announce Auditions for Children’s Christmas Show

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The Fort Scott High School Thespians are holding auditions for A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, adapted by Kathryn Schultz Miller.

 

Auditions are open to children in 1st-8th grades and take place from 6-8 p.m. on Nov. 17 OR 18 in the FSHS Auditorium. Children do not need to prepare anything in advance, but should plan to stay for the duration of the audition time on one of the nights. Parents should be present at the beginning for information and to fill out audition forms.

 

Rehearsals are Nov. 19 & 20, Dec. 1-4, and Dec. 9-11 from 6-8 pm. Productions are Dec. 12 and 13 at 7 p.m. There is a $30 participation fee for children cast in the show.

 

A Christmas Carol is produced by FSHS Theatre Director Angie Bin with direction and design by the FSHS Thespians. Please contact Bin at [email protected] or 620-719-9622 with any questions.

 

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Entertainment, Fort Scott

Downtown Halloween Parade/Trick-or-Treat is Tomorrow, Saturday Oct. 25 at 10 a.m.

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Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites you to the

Downtown

“Trick-or-Treat”

Halloween Parade

& Festivities!
Schedule of events:

Saturday, October 25, 2024

10-11am: Halloween photo backdrop for pictures with your own camera.

Face painting will be offered by the Fort Scott High School Community Empowerment Club and Thespian Clubs!

11am: Parade will start at La Hacienda, down the west side of Main Street to 2nd, then back down the east side of Main Street to Skubitz Plaza.

Following parade: A slice of pizza and a drink will be served to the kids in costume provided through the generous donation of local businesses!

Click HEREto visit the FS Downtown “Trick-or-Treat” Halloween Parade

Facebook Event Page!
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members shown below…
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce

231 E. Wall St., Fort Scott, KS 66701

620-223-3566

fortscott.com
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Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
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Entertainment, Youth

Downtown Trick or Treat Parade Oct. 25

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Sending on behalf of Chamber member

Lowell Milken Center

for Unsung Heroes
The Lowell Milken Center invites you to visit during the

Downtown Trick-or-Treat Parade!

Saturday, October 25th

1 S. Main Street

 

LMC will have Candy, Toys, and a family photo op available

starting at 11am.

The photo backdrop will be up until November 1st if you want to stop by for a Fall photo on another day!

Click HERE for the Lowell Milken Center or Unsung Heroes Facebook Page!

Click HERE for the Lowell Milken Center For Unsung Heroes Website!

A special thank you to our

2025 Chamber Champion members!

Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce

231 E. Wall St., Fort Scott, KS 66701

620-223-3566

fortscott.com
Facebook  X  Instagram
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
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Entertainment, Fort Scott

Halloween Festivities This Saturday Downtown for Youth

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Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites you to the

Downtown

“Trick-or-Treat”

Halloween Parade

& Festivities!
Sponsors needed!

The past couple of years the attendance has been growing for the Downtown Trick-or-Treat parade with 600+ kids in attendance! At the end of the parade, we serve a slice of pizza and a drink to each child who is in costume. We have been very thankful for the gracious donations from you all in the past!

If your business is interested in making a donation, please contact us!

Email [email protected] or call the Chamber at 620-223-3566.

We will accept monetary donations or other items such as pop, juices,

or bottled water.
Schedule of events:

Saturday, October 25, 2024

10-11am: Halloween photo backdrop for pictures with your own camera.

Face painting will be offered by the Fort Scott High School Community Empowerment Club and Thespian Clubs!

11am: Parade will start at La Hacienda, down the west side of Main Street to 2nd, then back down the east side of Main Street to Skubitz Plaza.

Following parade: A slice of pizza and a drink will be served to the kids in costume provided through the generous donation of local businesses!

***Businesses along Main Street will be handing out candy during the parade, and businesses not on Main Street as well as any community organizations, are welcome to set up a table along Main to pass out candy, coupons, promo items, etc.***

Please email the Chamber at [email protected] or

call 620-223-3566 if your business or organization will be passing out candy, so we can plan accordingly!

Click HEREto visit the FS Downtown “Trick-or-Treat” Halloween Parade

Facebook Event Page!
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members shown below…
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce

231 E. Wall St., Fort Scott, KS 66701

620-223-3566

fortscott.com
Facebook
Entertainment, Fort Scott

Volunteers Needed for Haunting of Belltown

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Sending on behalf of Chamber member

The City of Fort Scott

🎃 Haunting of Belltown 👻

October 31st – November 1st

7:00 PM – 11:00 PM

Riverfront Park (South Loop)

______________________________

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Would you like to scare people? Or are you more the crafty type who loves setting up spooky props? Either way — we need you!

👻 We’re looking for volunteers to help as actors

(soldiers, nurses, zombies, or ghosts) and set decorators to help create the eerie atmosphere.

Volunteer Arrival: Please arrive by 5 PM

Volunteer Registration click HERE!
By submitting this form, you acknowledge and agree to release the City of Fort Scott from any liability for accidents or injuries that may occur while volunteering.

______________________________________________

This spooky seasonal event features:

A Haunted Trail Walk

(recommended for ages 13+ unless accompanied by an adult)

A family-friendly outdoor

Halloween movie

Hayrides

A variety of food trucks

offering snacks and treats

under the night sky.

🎬 Don’t forget to bring blankets and lawn chairs for movie viewing comfort!

🚍 Trolley transportation will be available all evening, with parking at Twisted Trailers.

💵 Suggested Donation: $5

⚠️ Important:

Uneven paths – wear sturdy shoes

Minors must be accompanied by an adult

Sponsored by:

Fort Scott Community College

Fort Scott Public Library

Fort Scott Area Chamber & Tourism

Visit Fort Scott

For more details, visit: www.visitfortscott.com
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
 
Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet Learns of Fall Happenings in Fort Scott

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Stacy Racy, facing, left, Lindsay Madison, and Wayne Racy at the Downtown Quarterly Meet and Greet at Common Ground Coffee Shop on Oct. 17.

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Downtown Quarterly Meet and Greet is a meeting to share events and opportunities that are coming.

Stacy and Wayne Racy, owners of Common Ground Coffee Co., 12 E. Wall, were introduced by Lindsey Madison, Chamber CEO.

The Racy’s took over ownership in May 2025, from the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene, where they are members. Since then, they have been revamping the menu to some healthier options and featuring evening entertainment periodically. They are having a spaghetti dinner fundraiser for the Honor Flights program for military veterans on Oct. 25 starting at 4 p.m. To learn more:

https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=fort%20scott%20honor%20flights

Later than evening the coffee company will feature live music by Serenade at 7 p.m. on Oct. 25 Admission is free for this concert.

For updates on happenings at the coffee company: https://www.facebook.com/fscommonground/

Main Street Approach

The City of Fort Scott Housing and Community Development Coordinator Lisa Dillon spoke about work done on a possible Main Street Program designation. Main Street assists in developing strategies to revitalize or strengthen downtown areas.

The Main Street Program will give technical assistance, training,  access to design services, available state and national grant funds  and membership to the Main Street America Network, according to info provided by Dillon.

Dillon said it has proven to be successful for communities enhancing the downtown area, but  there must be community engagement in the process.

“After meeting four times over the past six months to plan and discuss this effort, we’re now at the point of collecting letters of support for our application,” Dillon said later.

To create a letter of support:

Letter of Support Main Street

 

For more information contact Dillon at
Phone: 620-223-0550 Ext. 250
[email protected]

 Other news from the meeting:

  • Fort Scott National Historic Site Superintendent Jill Jaworski told the group that the annual Christmas Candlelight Tour will proceed, but because of the government shut down during the planning season for the event, ” it may not be what it was in the past.” Tickets will go on sale on Nov. 1.
  • The City of Fort is sponsoring a live music concert by Almost Kiss on Oct. 25 at 9 p.m. at the pavilion on North National Avenue, with costumes encouraged, said Rachel Carpenter,  Special Project Coordinator.
  • Carpenter also told of a new app that she is using  that can tell how many visitors visited the city, for example: Fortfest 2025 had 2,500 visitors. Additionally, it can tell spots the visitors went to while here.
  • The city is sponsoring Haunted Trails at Riverside Park on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. Actors are still needed, those “who like to scare people.”

Contact Carpenter at 620-223-0550 Ext. 205.

  • The annual children’s downtown Halloween Parade will start at 10 a.m. on Saturday Oct. 25, with preliminary fun activities and pizza and drink to end the event. Drink donations are appreciated. Call the Chamber of Commerce at 620.223.3566.
  • Small business Saturday is November 29.
  • The Christmas Parade is Thursday, December 4 with a theme of Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.
  • During Christmas on the Bricks festival event,  stores will stay open late and entertainment will abound in the downtown. Diane Striler is the facilitator of this annual event. There will be a cookie making site, a wreath making site, a skating rink, carriage rides, a  new event at the splash pad area for children, various alcoholic tasting spots around the downtown, a scavenger hunt and tree decorating contest among many others. See their Facebook page for more info: https://www.facebook.com/fortscottchristmasonthebricks
  • The Chamber downtown map that has been in the making is nearing completion, Madison said.
  • The Chamber Guide and Directory deadline is Oct. 31 for reviewing all info.
  • There is a Chamber sponsored candidate forum on Oct. 22 at the Ellis Fine Arts Center at Fort Scott Community College, doors open at 5:30 p.m.
  • Upcoming Chamber Coffees: 10/23 is First United Methodist Church, 10/30 is Fort Scott Area Community Foundation Grant Awards at Landmark Bank.
  • There are E-community grants and Grow KS grants available: contact the Chamber for more details.
  • The Cohn’s Fall Murder Mystery Dinner is Oct. 30.
Buy Tickets by calling 620-418-6209
or order online at
  • The coffee bar at Hare and Crow Barber Shop opens soon.