Category Archives: Entertainment

Charlie Redd and the The Luna Voo Doo Band Coming July 8

The Gordon Parks Museum Announces a Fundraiser Event Featuring a Music Performance by
CHARLIE REDD & LUNA VOO DOO BAND
The Liberty Theatre
Friday, July 8th, 8pm | Doors Open at 7pm
The Gordon Parks Museum is excited to announce a fundraiser Event: Featuring a music performance by Charlie Redd & Luna Voo Doo Band. This very popular and entertaining band will be providing the very best fun party dance music in Rock, R&B, Pop, etc.
Charlie Redd & Luna Voo Doo perform regularly at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tulsa, OK. The performance will be held at the Liberty Theater on Friday, July 8. Doors open at 7 p.m. and performance starts at 8 p.m. Cash bar will be available. Tickets are $25 each or $30 at the door.
Tickets are on sale now at The Gordon Parks Website and the Gordon Parks Museum located at 2108 S. Horton St. on the FSCC Campus.

Independence Day Celebration in Uniontown is July 1

Fireworks over the Union State Bank, Uniontown, 2019. Submitted by Amy Holt.

The Uniontown fireworks display by Union State Bank is a go, but has moved to Friday, July 1.

That day will see the Uniontown Park fill with residents and visitors to view the fireworks which are purchased by the bank.

Free hot dogs, chips and a drink are provided for free from the bank.

“We usually serve about 500 hot dogs,” USB CEO and President Bryan Holt, said, but the crowd is bigger than that for the fireworks display.

In addition, there will be inflatable jump houses for the kids, a photo station for selfies and food and drink purchases from local vendors/organizations.

Additional food and drink offerings are:

Mimi’s Food Truck (turkey legs and funnel cakes)

Lora Ripper (popcorn)

Uniontown High School Cheerleaders (bake sale)

First Missionary Baptist Church raising funds for kids going to summer camp (pop/drinks)

Uniontown school kids and parents raising funds for Washington Workshop next summer (bake sale)

” We are still open for any organizations or vendors that would like to set up in the park,” said Amy Holt, who is Vice President of Loan Administration at the Uniontown branch. She is facilitating the event for the bank.  “They can contact me at 620-756-4305 during business hours or by email at [email protected].”

There will  be a disc jockey entertaining the crowd as well.

Since 2005, the bank has sponsored fireworks for the community on July 3, but since it fell on Sunday this year, the the CEO, Bryan Holt decided he didn’t want the employees to work on Sunday.

The bank employees plan the event and prepare and hand out the free hot dogs with chips and a bottle of water.

In addition, they didn’t want to conflict with Fort Scott’s Independence Day celebration on July 3, he said.

This event was originally a fund raiser for improving the Uniontown Park, but it is now “A way to say thanks to our customers,” Bryan Holt said.

Uniontown has been the headquarters for Union State Bank since 1901.

In 1992, the bank expanded operations and started a branch in Fort Scott. This year they have expanded again to accommodate more employees and upgrade security. There will be a feature of this expansion later this week on fortscott.biz.

Independence Day Celebrations in Fort Scott 2022

Photo credit: National Park Service, W. Aker.

In addition to family gatherings, there are some choices for celebrating America’s independence in 2022.

Fort Scott Celebrations

The Elks Lodge No. 579 community fireworks display will be at sundown July 3, as in years past.

“The fireworks show will be 20-25 minutes long,” Millie Lipscomb said.

The best spot is near south Horton Street.

“They can be seen from many spots around the community, but since they are shot from the ball field area behind Fort Scott Community College, prime locations are the fairgrounds,  the Nazarene and Community Christian Church parking lots and the college parking lots.”

No personal fireworks can be shot off in those areas, by a City of Fort Scott ordinance.

“We’ve worked with a new pyrotechnics company this year to have higher lift on the fireworks so they can be seen from further away,” she said. “We’ve worked hard to contract a company with local ties that has allowed us to keep the prices achievable, but still it is up about 100% from the past few years. We are fortunate to be able to get the quality we have contracted for.”

Burke Street Parade

The Burke Street Fourth of July Parade is in its 40th year.

The neighborhood of Burke Street has people turn out in patriotic colors and clothing to celebrate the U.S.A. Fourth of July.

Some will be in the parade, some will be sitting in their lawnchairs, enjoying the fun.

“The parade will start at 10 a.m. at 10th and Burke, on the 4th,” Margaret Humphrey, one of the organizers, said.  “It started in 1982 by myself, Susan Foster and Jill Gorman.”
Merl Humphrey in the first Burke Street Parade in 1982. Submitted photo.
“This year John and Carol Hill will host the refreshments, they live on the corner of 10th and Burke,” she said. “We want people to contribute cookies to them. Please donate by July 3.”
 “This year we will have some kids that live on Burke Street lead the patriotic songs under the direction of Jill Gorman,” she said.
Phil Hammonds led the patriotic singing before the Burke Street Parade until his death in 2021. Submitted photo.
“Frankie Halsey will be in charge of traffic,” she said. “Barb Albright will be in charge of distributing fliers.  I am not aware of other activities.”
Please no big vehicles in the parade.
If there is lightening  the event is canceled, she said.
“Children are all over the place,” Humphrey said. “So cars and trucks drive safely.”
Fort Scott National Historic Site

Celebrate American independence with history at the Fort Scott National Historic Site.

Enjoy the sights and sounds and immersion in America’s history while honoring the service men and women who have defended the United States through the growth of the nation.

 

Fort Scott National Historic Site will host the 35th Division Infantry Band on Wednesday, June 29, beginning at 6:30 pm. The performance will be on the bricks in front of the Post Hospital/Visitor Center. Bring your lawn chair to ensure seating. Saturday through Monday, July 2 through 4, Fort Scott NHS will have artillery demonstrations, tours, programs, and living history activities throughout the day.

 

Wednesday, June 29

6:30 pm – 35th Division Infantry Band performing a kaleidoscope of pops, classical, and patriotic music.

 

Saturday, July 2

10:00 pm – Guided Tour of the Fort

11:00 am – Artillery Demonstration

Noon – Historic Yard Games

1:00 pm – Guided Tour of the Fort

2:00 pm – Artillery Demonstration

3:00 pm – Flash Flood: Fort Scott and Westward Expansion Discussion

 

Sunday, July 3

10:00 pm – Guided Tour of the Fort

11:00 am – Artillery Demonstration

Noon – Tales from the Trail: Santa Fe Trader Presentation

1:00 pm – Guided Tour of the Fort

2:00 pm – Artillery Demonstration

3:00 pm – Independence Day II:  Fireworks at High Tide Discussion

 

 

Monday, July 4

10:00 pm – Guided Tour of the Fort

11:00 am – Artillery Demonstration

1:00 pm – Guided Tour of the Fort

2:00 pm – Artillery Demonstration

3:00 pm – Amputations and Ambulances: Civil War Medicine Discussion

 

 

 

Brian Wendling to Perform for Summer Reading on June 28

 

Magician and juggler Brian Wendling is a Fort Scott favorite, and he drew the largest crowd of any library-sponsored event in the history of Fort Scott Public Library in the summer of 2019. He will perform on June 28 at 10 a.m. in the main auditorium at Memorial Hall.

Brian brings lots of energy and exciting tricks to his performances with the help of young volunteers from his audience. Learn more about Brian’s work at his website: https://www.brianwendling.com

Library performances are free and open to the public. This event is part of the library’s summer reading program. Learn more about and register for the program at: https://fortscott.mykansaslibrary.org/summer-reading/youth-summer-reading-2022

This performance is made possible in part by partnerships with Cherryvale Public Library and Independence Public Library.

FSHS Reunion Back On Track: Starts June 24

All the graphics courtesy of the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce.
The upcoming Fort Scott High School All Class Reunion has been in the making for about three years.
Fort Scott High School.
“We have been planning since 2019,” Lori Potter Farmer, FSHS Alumni President said.  “The regularly scheduled reunion would have been in 2020, however with (the) COVID (pandemic) we’ve had to bump it back twice.”
 “FSHS alumni has the all school reunion every five years on the 5,” she said.  “Our next scheduled reunion will be in 2025, barring any problems.”
“The purpose (of the reunion) is to bring as many alumni back to one location, as well as their home town to gather with friends and family,” she said.  “The alumni board works really hard to get as many people back as possible and to plan a great weekend for everyone.”
“Seeing those you went to school with most of your childhood is always a great time,” Farmer said.  “Memories from the past are shared as well as new memories are made.  It’s always fun to drag out the old annuals and look at pictures of classmates as well as teachers from the past.”
Registration starts at 9 a.m. on June 24 at the Fort Scott High School Gym.

FSHS Alumni: Parade

The Fort Scott High School Alumni Association will honor two Fort Scottians during the all-class reunion parade. Fred Campbell and Don Miller were selected to be honored.

The parade starts at 5 p.m. on June 24 from the location of 4th and Judson Street to travel the typical parade route EXCEPT in light of past memories – it will be going backwards and will finish up at the high school. Classes will be displaying their class spirit as they travel south on Main Street.

The Alumni Association encourages citizens to line the parade route to welcome the alumni home.

Craig Campbell, Class of 1977, is the Parade Chairman.

 

M’Axe Throw House Is Open in Fort Scott

M’Axe Throw House doesn’t have a sign up yet, but is located at 212 E. First Street.

A year in the making, the M’Axe Throw House is open as of the first of June 2022.

Similar to darts, axe throwing is a sport in which the competitor throws an axe at a target, attempting to hit as close as possible to a bullseye, according to https://bargames101.com/axe-throwing-101.

A few of the rules are: 1) no one with sandals on may throw and 2) children can throw if under age 18, but parents must be there also.

Mac Stoughton began working on the building storefront that would house his axe throwing sport business in April 2021. It is located at 212 E. First Street, between Scott Avenue and State Streets in Fort Scott, near the downtown area.

Mac Stoughton. Submitted photo.

“It took me that long because the building was in bad shape,” Stoughton said. By day he works at Stoughton Electric and Heating and Air Conditioning.

“We opened Good Ol’Days Weekend,” Stoughton said. “We offer entertainment and participating in a league.”

For walk in customers, he provides axes to throw.

League players have their own axes, he said.

For walk-in customers, the cost if $25 for 1.5 hours and he also offers knife throwing for $35 for 1.5 hours.

There are four seasons for axe throwing leagues and the first summer league event was on June 13.

“There are eight weeks of game play, then on week eight, we hold a tournament,” he said.

He currently has one employee, Cassandra Hueston.

Stoughton began an interest in axe throwing when looking for something to do, other than baseball, he said.

He found Main Street Axe Corp, in Pittsburg and started playing there in 2019.

“It sparked an interest,” he said. “I went on to enter three national championships. I placed in the top 20, a couple of times. In Tulsa there were 350 in the tournament, from all over the nation.”

 

Independence Day Celebrations at the Fort

Join Fort Scott NHS for the Sights and Sounds of American Independence this Holiday Weekend

 

Fort Scott Kan. – Celebrate American independence with the sounds of a military band, cannon fire, and immersion in America’s history while honoring the service men and women who have defended the United States through the growth of our nation.

 

Fort Scott National Historic Site will host the 35th Division Infantry Band on Wednesday, June 29, beginning at 6:30 pm. The performance will be on the bricks in front of the Post Hospital/Visitor Center. Bring your lawn chair to ensure seating. Saturday through Monday, July 2 through 4, Fort Scott NHS will have artillery demonstrations, tours, programs, and living history activities throughout the day.

 

Wednesday, June 29

6:30 pm – 35th Division Infantry Band performing a kaleidoscope of pops, classical, and patriotic music.

 

Saturday, July 2

10:00 pm – Guided Tour of the Fort

11:00 am – Artillery Demonstration

Noon – Historic Yard Games

1:00 pm – Guided Tour of the Fort

2:00 pm – Artillery Demonstration

3:00 pm – Flash Flood: Fort Scott and Westward Expansion Discussion

 

Sunday, July 3

10:00 pm – Guided Tour of the Fort

11:00 am – Artillery Demonstration

Noon – Tales from the Trail: Santa Fe Trader Presentation

1:00 pm – Guided Tour of the Fort

2:00 pm – Artillery Demonstration

3:00 pm – Independence Day II:  Fireworks at High Tide Discussion

 

 

Monday, July 4

10:00 pm – Guided Tour of the Fort

11:00 am – Artillery Demonstration

1:00 pm – Guided Tour of the Fort

2:00 pm – Artillery Demonstration

3:00 pm – Amputations and Ambulances: Civil War Medicine Discussion

 

Visitors and residents are reminded that fireworks are not permitted on the grounds of Fort Scott National Historic Site.

 

-NPS-

Credit Photo as: NPS Photo, W. Aker

Rock Ballet Recital: See Area Dancers Strut their Stuff

Kristin Gorman. Submitted photo.

Kristin Lewis Gorman is the owner and director of Rock Ballet, a Fort Scott dance instruction studio.

Her dance instruction recital is at 7:30 p.m. on June 24 and 25 at the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts, on the campus of Pittsburg State University.

From the Rockballet recital in 2021. Submitted photos.

Gorman said the dancers are all getting very excited right about now.

She is as well, but last years recital is giving her confidence that this one too, will be a great performance for the dancers.

“Having one recital under my belt, I’m feeling a tiny bit less frantic at this point,” she said.

“Our dress rehearsal is Wednesday, June 22 and the shows will be Friday and Saturday, June 24 and 25 at 7:30 p.m.” she said.

 

At the Rockballet debut recital,June 2021, at the Bicknell Center.

 

Rockballet Dancers. Submitted photo.

“I would love to get our online- reserved seating- ticket link out there to everyone in Fort Scott because last year so many people told me after the fact that they hated that they didn’t even know about the show,” she said. “My fault totally, I just ran out of time.”

“It is super easy to purchase tickets using the link,  as it is all done online through Tutu Tix,” she said.

Click below to purchase tickets for the event:

https://buy.tututix.com/rockballet

http://www.therockballet.com

Backstage at the 2021 recital. Submitted photos.

Her email is [email protected] and the website is therockballet.com

Her mission: “Building confident, graceful, dynamic dance-athletes from the ground up”

Click Here To Register For Dance Classes

Rockballet Dancers, the Broadway Babies,  on stage in 2021. Submitted photos.

Friday Night Free Concert: Steve Fortenberry

Ralph Carlson introduces the Friday Night Concert musicians May 2019.

This week’s Friday Night Concert will be presented by local musician Steve Fortenberry. The one-hour concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Heritage Park Pavilion at First and Main streets. Fortenberry plays light classical and Christian songs on guitar. Ralph Carlson will join him on guitar for the last half of the show

 

“Steve is an accomplished musician with unique guitar stylings, using special effects,” concert-series organizer Ralph Carlson said. “We are happy to welcome Steve back to the pavilion and we‘re looking forward to an enjoyable evening of great guitar music from him. Bring a friend and join us.”

 

The shows, sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, are free and open to the public. Dave Oas and Jim Butler provide the sound each week. Due to limited seating, attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.

 

In the event of inclement weather or excessive heat temps, the concert will be moved to the Loading Dock at Common Ground Coffee Co., 12 E. Wall Street.