A Branson illusionist will perform at Ellis Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College on Friday, Feb. 17 from 7-9 p.m.

Tickets range from $50 to $65 for the event that is a fundraiser for the Fort Scott Splash Pad project.

Reza is a touring illusionist that performs at Branson’s Famous Theater. His performance is on a grand scale with interactive comedy and magic, according to Branson.com.

Josh Jones, one of the splash pad project members, talked to the performer a year ago about coming to Fort Scott and then again following the Jeff Leeson Comedy Tour on Jan. 21, which netted the project $5,000.

“They will be traveling through and will cut us a break on that day,” Jones said. “The college is letting us use the Ellis Center for free.”

Project Committee to Make City of Fort Scott Presentation

The Fort Scott Splash Pad Committee is comprised of Jones, Bailey Lyons, Katie Hueston, Kelly Barr and Meredith Tucker.

A presentation by that committee will be made to the Fort Scott City Commission on Feb. 7 at the city meeting, he said.

They will be presenting the proposed location of the splash pad on Skubitz Plaza, and show an architects rendition of the project.

At completion of the build, the project will be donated to the City of Fort Scott for public use.

“To run it, it is estimated to be $5,000 a year in maintenance and operation costs,” Jones said.

All together, the cost for the project is estimated to be $200,000, he said.

“Two years ago, Kristin and Will Bishop reached out to me about a splash pad project,” he said. “We didn’t move it forward until a year ago.”

“We thought it would be a two year project but with gracious grants from Walmart for $40,000 and Timken LLC for $75,000 and other community members it is moving forward,” he said.

In addition to those big grants, on Nov. 29 during the national Giving Tuesday day, an anonymous donor gave $10,000 to the project and the project had a $10,000 match plus $10,000 from other citizens, he said, totaling $30,000 for that day.

Jones said the water park project is around $120,000 and any money extra will go towards landscaping, shade and seating at the site, plus possibly a public bathroom there as well.

The project is estimated to be completed this year.

About the Illusionist

REZA has taken the art of illusion to a new level, delivering his rock concert style magic show to audiences across the globe, according to press release from Reza.

Reza’s current tour transports concert level lighting and production elements merged with cutting-edge magic. Reza has garnered a  loyal fan base with his passion for creating signature grand-scale illusions such as making motorcycles and helicopters materialize out of thin air!

Reza’s unique brand of illusion has landed him on popular reality shows across 31 countries, including recent U.S. television appearances on A&E’s Duck Dynasty and The CW’s Penn & Teller : Fool Us.

Audiences can expect to witness such illusions as passing through the spinning blades of an industrial fan, a record breaking recreation of Houdini’s most famous stunt, and the appearance of a real helicopter, live on stage.

Reza infuses state-of-the-art production elements, comedic timing, and numerous interactive and inspirational moments, allowing the audience to experience the magic first hand. Perhaps Reza’s greatest secret is his uncanny ability to communicate his performance art on such a personal level.

Reza’s new show, “Edge of Illusion,” has earned various awards including “Magician of the Year.”

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://www.RezaLive.com

A Fort Scott woman, who cooks at a local restaurant for a living, has paid for a movie for the community at Fort Cinema,  224 W. 18th.

On January 7 at 2 p.m. there will be a free showing of Puss in Boots The Last Wish hosted by this woman, who wishes to remain anonymous.

“This is Christmas present to the community,” Terri Belcher Turner, her cousin, said.  “The first 95 people will get to enjoy the movie, free of charge.  The concessions stand will be open. There was a scheduling issue before Christmas, so now it is the Saturday after the holidays.”

Turner sent an email to fortscott.biz with the story.

“I know the donor and want everyone to know she is a life-long Fort Scott resident with a love for her town and the families in it,” Turner said. “She works regular jobs and struggles like the rest of us but wanted to give families a chance for an afternoon out that they normally couldn’t afford. I hate I am 500 miles away and can’t be there to help promote this generous act.” Turner lives in St. Paul, MN.

“She is someone that cares and really doesn’t have the extra but wants to make a difference,” Turner said. “I’m just wishing I could be there and could  help get other people or companies involved because this could help the community and be an ongoing thing on spring break, summer break anytime through out the year.”

“I’m wondering if anyone would like to step forward and pay for the concessions,” Turner said.

The donor paid close to $200 for renting the theater for this free event to the community.

“This is something for a family to do together, but because of the cost, can’t go to a theater anymore,” Turner said.