Category Archives: Entertainment

Mountain Bike Race on Sept. 17 and 18 in Gunn Park

The Marmaton Massacre Festival, a mountain bike race held annually in Fort Scott’s Gunn Park is  September 17 th  and 18th.

The Marmaton Massacre Festival is a full weekend of mountain bike  racing, free camping, food, and live music, with the Marathon Race on Saturday, followed by live entertainment, free camping, and then category races on Sunday, according to https://www.singletracks.com/bike-races/the-marmaton-massacre-festival/ .

“This is a real grass roots event, on hand-built single-track trails,” according to the website.

Gunn Park is located on Fort Scott’s west side on Park Avenue.

The first bike race trails were built by Frank Halsey, an avid mountain bike rider, who than established a group called Gunn Park Trails. The group maintains the trails throughout the year and organizes local rides. See their Facebook page for updates on the trail conditions. https://www.facebook.com/GunnParkTrails

Athletes from the region participate in the annual event, with last year’s winner from Oklahoma City and the previous year, from Wisconsin.

Even though the mountain bike race is not really a spectator sport, the public is encouraged to attend the Saturday evening entertainment, because local musicians D.J. Brown and the Bourbon County Revival will be playing at 7 p.m., Frank Halsey, event coordinator said.

Frank Halsey, event organizer, hugs his grandson following a first place win in the kids’ race in July 2018.

Also performing will be the Fort Scott High School Select Music Ensemble in the late afternoon, Halsey said.

Races occur on Saturday, the 17th, from noon till 4 p.m.

All activities are staged at Shelter House #6.

Volunteers are welcome and needed, Halsey said.   He can be contacted at 620-704-2730.

A food truck, “Bogan’s Bites”, will be onsite for refreshments.

On Saturday, events begin with packet pickup at noon, and a four-hour marathon race will begin at 1 p.m.

“The little kid’s race is at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday,” Halsey said.  “Kids must wear a helmet, and parents must sign a liability waiver.  Eric’s Bike & Board from Overland Park will have their event van onsite and be repairing bikes.”

Kids 10 and under, race for free, and compete in a one-mile race.

At 6 p.m. there will be a dinner for participants.

The live music will be following the dinner.

 

 

 

 

Roster For Freeride Motocross Riders in Fort Scott on Sept. 17: Tickets Available

ATHLETE ROSTER CONFIRMED: RED BULL IMAGINATION TO HOST TEN LEADING FREERIDE MOTOCROSS RIDERS

 

 

The Stage is Set and the Anticipation is Mounting as Six Veteran and Four Rookie Riders Meet in Kansas for the Ultimate Freeride Competition

See the course:

 https://www.redbullcontentpool.com/international/CP-V-37477

KANSAS, Sept. 7, 2022 – Red Bull Imagination year three promises to preserve its integrity and continue to deliver on its mission to progress the sport of freeride motocross. Ten new and returning riders will square off on the 2022 evolution of the event’s custom-built “playground” course. These ten riders bring an immeasurable amount of talent to Red Bull Imagination, and will demonstrate their impressive level of skill, taste, and creativity over the four-day event. Alongside Tyler Bereman, the founder of Red Bull Imagination, will be returning riders Josh Hill, Vicki Golden and Axell Hodges, the reigning champion who will defend his crown. Joining in on all the action for the first time are rookie riders Guillem Navas, who recently impressed with his first X Games appearance, Julien Vanstippen and more.

 

Rest assured that the returning riders won’t have a leg up on the rookies as the course continues to transform in ways that devalues prior knowledge from previous years. Best described as a life-sized video game at this point, it will feature more options, such as blade transfers in the “technical jib section,” a snowboard-style spine to open up new lines, and scalable options to make the course as simple or complex as the riders see fit. In addition, the huge jumps, 150-foot tree jump, and moon-booter will require technical prowess, creative ability, and downright finesse.

 

Riders returning for Red Bull Imagination 2022 are:

  • Red Bull Imagination visionary, host, and 10-time X Games medalist Tyler Bereman
  • 2022 X Games Gold medalist, 12-time X Games overall medalist Axell Hodges
  • 2022 X Games ‘Best Whip’ Gold medalist, six-time X Games overall medalist Tom Parsons
  • Four-time X Games medalist and World Record Holder Vicki Golden
  • Two-time X Games medalist and current freeride motocross rider Josh Hill
  • 2022 Hill Jam ‘Best Whip’ winner freerider Christian Dresser

 

Riders who will bring their style and skills to Fort Scott for the first time:

  • 2022 X Games quarterpipe medalist Guillem Navas
  • Two-time X Games medalist Julien Vanstippen
  • X Games participant Kohl Denney
  • Best Style at Farm Jam New Zealand rider Lewi Woods

 

The 2022 course will debut expanded features and new concepts that continue to move away from the confines of racing and traditional freestyle motocross. The course is brought to life by Bereman and Jason Baker of Dream Traxx who have seemingly infinite visions for how to create a space for riders to push the sport. As described by Bereman after the 2021 competition, “[Red Bull Imagination] is a massive work in progress. We’re learning as we go and we’re going to continue pushing freeriding in the right direction, giving opportunities to riders that they wouldn’t have anywhere else.”

 

The competition format follows suit from 2021 with judging criteria based on magnitude, creativity, execution, and the overall line the riders carve on the competition day. The panel of legendary judges includes Robbie Maddison, Jeremy ‘Twitch’ Stenberg, Steve Haughelstine and Ronnie Faisst. The riders will have two three-minute windows to ‘wow’ the judges and the best single-scoring run will count as their overall result. The competition will be commentated by Jason Weigandt and Jeff Emig on Saturday, Sept. 17.

 

All the action will debut in a one-hour show on September 25, from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. EST on ESPN2 and ESPN+. In-person tickets are still available for purchase at https://www.redbull.com/us-en/events/imagination. Pricing starts at $65 for adults and $30 for kids. Red Bull Imagination 2022 is supported by Bereman’s partners Fasthouse and 805.

“Tickets are still available for the event on Adam LaRoche’s ranch,” Mike DeCarlo, Scrimshaw PR- Co-Founder, said.

 

Catch up on all the action from last year’s Red Bull Imagination by visiting https://www.redbull.com/us-en/projects/imagination.
Looking For Photos & Video?  

Through the Red Bull network, hi-res video and still images are captured and made immediately available for editorial use for all media channels including television, film, print, mobile and digital. The content is centrally located in the Red Bull Content Pool for media partners. For photography and footage on Red Bull Imagination, visit www.redbullcontentpool.com.

 

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 22.3 million subscribers.

 

 

 

 

 

Uniontown’s Old Settler’s Picnic Results

The Old Settler’s Picnic Parade.

Uniontown had a cool, cloudy day on Labor Day for their annual Old Settler’s Picnic, which has been going on since 1905.

The weekend was full, with a fishing derby, community church service and games preceding the day of the picnic, along with  Uniontown High School all-school reunion.

On Labor Day a parade, picnic,  games and the traditional recognition of Old Settlers took place along with a large car show in memory of Dale Jackson, a long-time business owner.

Girls race in a contest during the Old Settler’s Picnic.

The following results of some of the contests were provided by Becky Shinn, treasurer/secretary of the Old Settler’s Picnic Committee.

On Sunday night, the corn hole contest was won by Tyler Walker and Chase Ermel, with second place going to Corey Chandra and Dillion Weddle.

“The Sunday Family Fun night was well attended,” Shinn said.
“The activities went very well and everyone had a chance to see old friends.”

The children’s parade always preceeds the bigger parade and the following kids won prizes for:
Best Theme: Harper and Holden Bunnell,
Best Costume: Josie Miller and  Bennett Miller, and
Best Battery Operated Child’s Vehicle: Jett Troutman with Sadie and Molly Troutman.

 

The following groups won prizes in the parade:
Best Church Float: Bethel Community Baptist Church

Bethel Community Baptist Church in the Old Settler’s Parade.

Best Theme Float: The Class of ‘62

Best School Floats:
1. UHS Sophomore Class and UHS Football players.

The Uniontown High School football team in the parade.

Second place: Fort Scott Community Cheer and Dance Team.

The traditional recognition for oldest woman at the park – Natalie Comstock, oldest gentleman at the park – Glen Post;
the couple married the longest -Jerry and Betty O’Harah at 62 years and the former Uniontown resident that traveled the farthest- Dean and Shirly Meyers.

Special recognition was given to Suzie Franklin for all the help she has given the Old Settlers Picnic through the years.

The Uniontown High School Cheerleaders.

The winners of the drawing for cash prizes were:
$100 – Jessica Hagon; $75 – Zach Franklin and
$50 – Michael Ireland.

The Old Settler’s Picnic Committee members were Shayla Knight, Rhonda DeWitt, Nancy Holt and Becky Shinn.

The Uniontown High School Band marches in the parade.
Horses are always a part of the Uniontown Old Settler’s Picnic Parade.
The Uniontown City Park was full of people enjoying food, friends and family for the annual picnic.
The turtle race is a kid favorite at Old Settler’s Picnic.
Dale Jackson Memorial Car Show results:

Friday Night Free Concert: Open-Mic Local Talent Show

Ralph Carlson introduces the Friday Night Concert musicians May 2019.

This week’s Friday Night Concert will be a family-style open-mic show for local talent. All ages are welcome to present one song and, should time permit, be prepared to perform a total of two songs. Performances may be instrumental and/or vocal. Upon request, local musicians will be available to accompany anyone who asks. Accompaniment tracks can also be accommodated.

 

“This week’s show will be a treasure trove of local talent and we’re hopeful to have several show up and shake things up a bit,” concert series organizer Ralph Carlson said. “For those who aren’t interested in performing, help us out and encourage some musicians or vocalists you know to share their talent in a comfortable setting. Come out and join us for an interesting evening and enjoy the music with friends.”

 

For more information, or to be scheduled in the show, please call 620-224-1150. The one-hour concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Heritage Park Pavilion at First and Main streets. 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, the concert will be moved to the Common Ground Coffee Co., 12 E. Wall Street.

Blues Festival Coming to Fort Scott Sept. 24

New comers to the Fort Scott area from Kansas City are planning a blues festival on their property at 2006 Maple Road on September 24 from 2 to 10 p.m. and they are doing it to benefit a local helping organization.

Cory and Cecilia Bryars. Submitted photo.

“My wife, Cecilia and I have met and become lasting friends with wonderful people by attending blues music events and venues in the Kansas City area and travels to Arkansas and Mississippi,” said event organizer Cory Bryars said. “We moved to Fort Scott in 2021 from Kansas City and I wanted to have a once-in-a-lifetime housewarming and a thank you to contractors and friends. My wife has roots and best friends here and the kid went to college, freeing us up to leave K.C.”

“As I put (the event) together, it took on a life of its own, and I thought this thing needs to be more than just friends and family,” Bryars said. “Through a friend, Belynda Davenport, I got connected with Lavetta Simmons and Care to Share ( a helping organization for cancer survivors and their families) and it turns out their big annual Fall Fest fundraiser for the last 15 years is no more.”

They decided to turn the event into a fundraiser for Care to Share.

“Before Care to Share, it was all about the music; now it’s all about music being a force for good,” Bryars said.  “This is real deal. Any one of these bands could headline a decent municipal blues fest, and we are providing four bands of that caliber.”

“I like to think the town was clamoring for something, and unbeknownst to me, I was apparently organizing it,” he said. “Soooo…our event is now a full-blown fundraiser.”

The music will be provided by the following artists, with performance times listed and comments provided by Bryars:

2pm—The Hermosa Prairie Dogs featuring Randy McAllister and James Van Nuys

o    “Randy is an award winning, Grammy Nominated, singer, songwriter, harmonica player, drummer and legend of East Texas Blues/Soul/Roots.

o    James is a talented artist in many disciplines and you will love his songs.”

4pm—Kilborn Alley featuring Big Rich McDonough

o    “Band Leader Andrew Duncanson is smooth as silk on the vocals and guitar.

o    Big Rich masters the guitar, making it SING almost as well as Andrew.”

6pm—Cassie Taylor & Band

o    “After starting her music career while still a teenager, Cassie toured Europe as part of Girls with Guitars.  She took a break from music to raise a family and her spirit, and now is back on the scene.

o    With powerful vocals and a soulful voice perfect for pop and blues, Cassie leads her generation of blues artists.”

8pm—Junebug & The Porchlights

o   “Long-time Kansas City favorites with great musicians, there’s never a dull moment as they cover Merle Haggard, Muddy Waters, and other country and blues standards, all with their own fast-paced sound and fury

o    If you like 70s classics like John Denver’s Country Roads and the aromatic Dead Skunk in the Middle of the Road, wait ‘til you hear the Porchlights’ versions!”

The Venue

The festival site is west of Findley’s Auto on Maple Road about one-half mile, on the Bryars property.
“We will use our front and back pasture for parking–not sure but thinking 75 cars can fit, maybe more,” Bryars said. “We are asking neighbors to have friends and family park at their properties.  Care to Share is exploring options for parking and shuttle service via city trolley and/or side-by-sides from volunteers.  The back yard near the house will have the stage and attendees.”
Free Admission, But Donations Accepted for Care to Share
“I am funding it and friends that were attending before Care to Share got involved will chip in and depending on the donation levels to Care to Share they will help offset some of my expense as a cost of the fundraiser,” Bryars said.
“We want to encourage donations,” he said.  “I have found that people are very generous when it’s up to them to decide how to help.  And Care to Share is organizing other methods of fundraising—concessions, crafts for the event.”

Labors and Leisure on the Frontier: Ft. Scott National Historic Site Sept. 3-5

The bike rack at Fort Scott National Historic Site.

Labors and Leisure on the Frontier

 

Labor Day Weekend at Fort Scott

 

Fort Scott Kan. – Saturday, September 3 through Monday, September 5, 2022, Fort Scott National Historic Site will take you on an exploration of the labors and leisure on an 1840s frontier post. Labor Day weekend activities include artillery demonstrations, 1840s baseball, candle making, breadmaking, construction skill demonstrations, historic yard games, and a variety of interpretive programs. Visit with soldiers, and an officer and his wife and find out about the labors of the fort and the  leisure activities. All programs are free and open to the public.

 

Saturday, September 3, 2022

 

10:00 am – Guided Tour

11:00 am – Artillery Demonstration

Noon – Beam Me Up: Historic Construction Demonstration

1:00  pm – Guided  Tour

2:00 pm – Artillery Demonstration

3:00 pm – Saws and Scalpels: Frontier Medical Program

 

Sunday, September 4, 2022

 

10:00 am – Guided Tour

11:00 am – Artillery Demonstration

Noon – Hitting Home:  Baseball on the Frontier

1:00  pm – Guided  Tour

2:00 pm – Artillery Demonstration

3:00 pm – Let the Games Begin:  Historic Games Program

 

Monday, September 5, 2022

 

10:00 am – Guided Tour

11:00 am – Artillery Demonstration

Noon – Small Arms Drill (Children’s’ Program)

1:00  pm – From the Crack Post of the Frontier, Construction Tour of Fort Scott

2:00 pm – Artillery Demonstration

3:00 pm – Beam Me Up:  Historic Construction Demonstration

 

 

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.  The site exhibit areas and visitor center are open daily from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. The 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.

 

Grand Opening of Lowell Milken Park and 15th Anniversary Celebration for LMC

The Lowell Milken Park. Submitted photo.

Lowell Milken Center Special Events

 

The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes will be celebrating two important milestone events on September 12-13, 2022. Those dates will mark the official Grand Opening of the Lowell Milken Park, as well as the commemoration of the 15th Anniversary of the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes. A Community Open House is scheduled for Monday, September 12th from 1:00 – 5:00 pm and Tuesday, September 13th from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. The public is invited to view the new Unsung Hero exhibits, both in the beautiful Lowell Milken Park and in the Hall of Unsung Heroes.

Special events for the afternoon of Monday, September 12th, include the following four sessions with honored guests recognizing special Unsung Heroes:

1:00 pm – Family of WWII Navajo Code Talker Chester Nez

2:00 pm – Rwandan Rescuer Carl Wilkens

3:00 pm – Family of WWII Boat Developer Andrew Jackson Higgins

4:00 pm – Family of Astrogeologist Gene Shoemaker (whose ashes are    buried on the moon)

Seating for the presentations is limited.

The Lowell Milken Center is a non-profit 501 © (3) that works with students and educators within a range of diverse academic disciplines, to develop projects focused on unsung heroes.

 

 

 

Uniontown’s Old Settler’s Picnic and UHS Class Reunion This Weekend

The annual Old Settler’s Picnic committee is gearing up for this weekend’s activities, with events for people of all ages. In addition, the Uniontown High School Alumni Association has planned events for Saturday.

On Labor Day, Sept. 5, “There will be new food trucks and vendor booths”,  Becky Shinn, Secretary-Treasurer of the committee said. The vendors will be scattered around the town square of the town of less than 300 people. The town doubles and sometimes triples in size for this annual event.

Also in the park on Labor Day will be the picnic offerings. In addition to the food trucks, the Uniontown High School FFA will be serving BBQ food, and the Methodist Church, a chicken dinner.

The announcer for this year’s event is Adelay Martin.

The children’s parade will line up starting at 9:50 a.m. on Sept. 5 on the east side of the town square and prizes will be awarded for best theme, decorated  bike, child costume, pet and battery operated toy. No gas powered vehicles are allowed in the children’s parade, which will start at 10:15 a.m.

Uniontown High School Cheerleaders board their float for the 2019 Old Settlers Picnic Parade.

The theme of the parade this year is “Back to the Old School Days”, and entries are invited to decorate their vehicles and hay wagons to showcase their organizations. There are prizes for best church float, best theme oriented float, school floats, All Terrain Vehicles (they must be clean and decorated), antique tractors and cars.

Horses are always welcome in the parade, but riders are asked to unload them at the rodeo arena, west of town on Hwy. 3. The horses be last in line up in the parade and are asked to line up at the Methodist Church.

The Uniontown High School Class of 1959 wait to board their float for the 2019 Old Settlers Picnic Parade on Labor Day, 2019.

Throughout the day there will be raffles with drawings for cash prizes.

The Dale Jackson Memorial Car Show will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the square.

For further info, click below.

Dale Jackson Memorial Car Show Sept. 5 in Uniontown

There is no baby contest this year.

For the kids is the traditional turtle race at 11:30 a.m., so be on the look out for a fast turtle! An egg toss competition, along with foot races and water races are planned for people from pre-kindergarten age to 100 years old on the south side of the square.

As is the tradition, there will be a recognition of the oldest man, oldest woman, longest married couple, former resident that traveled the farthest distance, and the resident who has had a Uniontown address the longest time.

May be an image of text that says 'Old Settler's Picnic HOSTED BY THE UHS CHEERLEADERS FEATURING TURTLES RACING, EGGS TOSSED WATER RACES, AND FOOT RACES! AGES: PREK-2ND -2ND 3RD-5TH 6TH-8TH -8TH FRESH-SENIOR 19-100 STARTIME 11:30 Let the Games Begin...'
Graphic from the Old Settler’s Picnic Facebook page.

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights at the Hwy. 3 arena, west of town, there will be rodeos to entertain. See the flyer above for more information.

At 10 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 4, coffee, milk and donuts will start the fellowship time of the Community Church Service at 10:30 a.m., this year presented by the Uniontown Methodist Church. Please bring lawn chairs for the service.

As part of the family game night on Sunday evening, the UHS Cheerleaders will be hosting a 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament as a fundraiser. Additionally, there will be a bubble gum chewing contest, watermelon eating contest and cornhole contest, with events starting at 5:30 p.m.

May be an image of text that says 'D LET THE GAMES BEGIN! 3 ON 3 BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT A fundraising event for the UHS Cheerleaders SEPTEMBER 4TH AT CITY PARK. SIGN UP STARTS AT 5:30 $5.00 per person 3peope max team Games are minutes long Come out and enjoy 0 fun night of basketbal and other games!'
Graphic from the Old Settler’s Picnic Facebook page.

High School Reunion

This year the Uniontown High School alumni are having their reunion on Saturday, Sept. 3, in conjunction with Old Settler’s Picnic weekend celebration.

A “Welcome Back” Reception at the UHS Commons area at the high school is scheduled from 3-5 p.m. Cookies and drinks are provided as well as an opportunity to tour the school. All alumni, and current and retired faculty and staff are invited to attend.
All-School Reunion Alumni will host a party at Uniontown City Park from 6 p.m. to midnight, with a Disk Jockey presenting music and a food truck. Coolers of beverages are welcome, but no glass containers.

Dale Jackson Memorial Car Show Sept. 5 in Uniontown

Dale Jackson was a car mechanic for many years in Uniontown. Event organizers are honoring him with a car show in conjunction with the annual Old Settler’s Picnic on Labor Day.

“We started the car show in 2019 to honor Dale Jackson and bring more people to the Old Settlers Picnic, an event that Dale contributed to for many years,” said car show organizer, Sara Roufs.

“I’m the main organizer but I have a great group of friends and family helping me put it all together,” she said. “I also need to give credit to Jeremy Lockwood, Garrett Knight and the Wasted Youth Car Club for helping get this car show started and making it a success.”

“Local businesses and organizations have sponsored the t-shirts, trophies, dash plaques and door prizes,” she said. “They have also contributed goody bag items that the first 50 car show registrants will receive.”

The Dale Jackson Memorial Car Show will be on Monday, Sept. 5 in Uniontown at the downtown square.

Cars, trucks and motorcycles are encouraged to enter, Roufs said.

The Old Settlers Picnic Parade is at 10:30 a.m. with line up at the high school starting at 10 a.m. for those vehicles wishing to be in the parade.

After the parade ends, vehicles will park at the town square.
The Car Show  will be from 11a.m. to 1 p.m.

To enter the show, register by noon at Uniontown Community Center, on the square’s east side in Uniontown. Registration fee $10. The first 50 to register will receive a dash plaque, she said.

“We will have four judges and 20 trophies to be awarded,” Roufs said. “A special crowd favorite trophy, sponsored by Ol’Boys Tire & Auto, will be awarded to whoever receives the most votes. Spectators may pay $1 to vote for their favorite entry. Vote by 1 p.m. inside the Uniontown Community Center. ”

The Crowd Favorite Award, submitted graphic.

“There will also be a raffle for a free full vehicle detail from Tip Top Detailing,” she said. “The car show participants enjoy supporting a good cause so anything left after the expenses of the car show will be donated to the Bourbon County Angels. They are a local organization that help Bourbon County families to ensure that every child in need receives something nice to open on Christmas morning.”

 

Trophies are ready for the award presentations. Submitted photo.

The trophy presentation will a be  at 1 p.m.

Vehicle classes:
-Best in Show
-Best of the 50s
-Best of the 60s
-Best of the 70s
-Best of the 80s
-Best of the 90s and up
-Best Hot Rod
-Best Street Rod
-Best Rat Rod
-Judges Choice (4 trophies)
Motorcycle classes:
-Best Motorcycle
-American Classic
-American Custom
-Metric Standard
-Metric Custom
-Best Trike

There will be t-shirts available for purchase this year thanks to Shirt Shack and these local sponsors:

Agricultural Engineering Associates
Bourbon Boy Bait Co
Brumback Engine & Machine
Cedar Ridge Management
Fort Scott Rides
Matt Russell Bulldozing
On Point Auto Sales
Perry’s Pork Rinds and Country Store
Roger’s Body Shop & Alignment Services
RHC Ron Hurd Construction
Tip Top Detailing
Union Station