Musician Alan Cunningham has long been a staple performer for the Fort Scott Public Library’s summer reading program. He will perform on June 14 at 10 a.m. in the main auditorium at Memorial Hall.

Alan is an educator who writes and performs his original music with the help of young volunteers from his audience. Learn more about Alan’s work at his website: https://alancunninghamkidsongs.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 a grant from the Southeast Kansas Library System and by partnerships with Garnett Public Library and Iola Public Library.

This week’s Friday Night Concert will be presented by Matt Harper of Nevada, Missouri.  Harper sings and plays guitar and harmonica, and performs a variety of music including country, folk, jazz, inspirational, blues, and original tunes.

“Performing since the early 1990s, Harper is a musician of excellence and enjoys interacting with the audience,” concert-series organizer Ralph Carlson said. “Harper is married and has four children, so he stays busy with life. We‘re pleased to welcome him back to the park pavilion. Come out and join your friends for an enjoyable evening.”

The 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 Loading Dock at  Common Ground Coffee Co., 12 E. Wall Street.

Get Soaked! at the Middle & High School Summer Reading Kickoff Party

This year, the Fort Scott Public Library’s 6^th-12^th grade summer reading program will begin on June 1 at 4 p.m. with a kickoff party at the Marmaton Riverfront Belltown Walking Trail main pavilion. The party will run from 4 – 5 p.m.

Partygoers will play water games, eat delicious treats provided by donors, drink cold water provided by G & W Cash Saver (with ice donated by 5 Corners Mini Mart), and earn library loot, which may be used to “buy” prizes throughout the summer. Throughout the summer, teens will meet at 4 pm on Wednesdays to play games, do art projects, participate in volunteer efforts, and celebrate through special parties from June 1 to August 10.

Sunscreen, old clothes, and towels are recommended, as attendees will likely get wet. Bathroom facilities are also scarce near the party site, so please plan accordingly.

The library will be collecting summer care items for families in need, with a donation box available at the party. Please bring unused swim diapers, sunscreen, feminine sanitary products, etc. to donate. Clothing and food donations will not be accepted. Donated items will be available for anyone to take as needed in the library’s downstairs computer room throughout the summer (while supplies last). The library will also have a donation box for young adult books available at the party. Donated books will be offered as prizes at future summer reading program events.

Teens may register for summer reading at the party, or receive an extra library loot dollar for each 6^th-12^th grader who pre-registers by May 30 at this link: Online SR Registration Form. They may also register via a paper form available at the library, Buck Run Community Center, Hedgehog.INK!, Rusty Spur Energy and Nutrition, Kansas Teachers Community Credit Union, and Billiard Hammer Hartman Insurance Agency. Patrons may turn in completed registration forms at any library desk, by mail, or by placing them in the after-hours book return, located on the north side of the library.

This party is made possible by the Riverfront Park Authority, which has approved the reservation for hosting the event. All library programs are free and open to the public.