Category Archives: Fort Scott

Business, Fort Scott

New Coffee Bean Roasting Business Starts In Fort Scott

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Submitted photo.

A local couple has started a new coffee bean roasting business.

Crooked Cactus Coffee Co. owners Randy and Tanya Glessner
started their new venture on July 3, 2023.
“We sell small farm, single origin coffee beans from around the world and roast them locally here in Fort Scott, with love,” Randy Glessner said.
Randy and Tanya Glessner. Submitted photo.
They have a Facebook page where the current coffee menu is posted at the top, he said.
“Menu selections vary by season,” Randy Glessner said.
The current coffee menu is:
light-Mexican
medium- Nicaraguan
dark-Sumatran
decaf-Medium Timor
The business is  located at 408 Jefferson Street on Fort Scott’s east side,  inside of Upper Cut Salon, a beauty shop operated by Tanya.
“We both have a passion for coffee and wanted a way to enjoy it in the freshest, purest way possible,” he said. “So we started looking into the best coffee beans and wanted to support small coffee bean farms around the world. After that,  we started mastering our coffee roasts and knew this was something we had to share with others! “
The coffee costs $15 for a 12 ounce bag. When ordering, please specify whether whole beans or ground beans are desired.
They accept cash, credit/debit card or cashapp.
Orders can be placed by calling or texting 620-224-6704.
Submitted graphic.
Tanya is an ordained minister.
“She doesn’t work for any church,” he said. “She volunteers her own time and money to help women in prison and recovering addicts.
Ten percent of all proceeds goes to the prison ministry/mentoring and local community mentoring for recovering addicts.”
Art, Entertainment, Fort Scott, History

Presenting Osage History and Culture Through Ballet Requires Care

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PAWHUSKA, Okla.—When researching Osage history for Wahzhazhe: An Osage Ballet, co-creator Randy Tinker-Smith, founder of Osage Ballet, spoke with around 50 elders. Tinker-Smith is Osage, and she knows that some things are not meant to be shared onstage.

“While doing research for the ballet, I spoke with around 50 Osage elders,” she said. “I did not want to do one thing without permission. I met with some of them numerous times, and by the end of that year we had lost three of them. Now looking back, I am just so thankful that I had that time with them.”

 

With Martin Scorsese’s film Killers of the Flower Moon being recently filmed in the present-day Osage Nation, Osage history is on the minds of many people. Visitors to Fort Scott, KS have three opportunities to experience 400 years of the rich history of the Osage through artistic dance when Wahzhazhe: An Osage Ballet is presented at Ellis Family Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, July 21 and 22.

Ellis Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2401 S. Horton.

The production is the work of Osage Ballet, a nonprofit organization which seeks to preserve and share the history of the Osage people through dance.

 

The first half of the ballet depicts life in the Osages’ ancestral homelands, which encompassed much of the middle of the United States, including the entirety of what is now Missouri. One of the earliest diaries chronicling the Osage people describe them as the “happiest people in the world.” Family and ceremony were at the center of culture and moving with the seasons was a way of life. With the arrival of Europeans, many of the ceremonies and the complex Osage clan system were almost decimated by war and disease. Like many Indigenous people, the mighty Osage were forced west onto smaller and smaller pieces of land. Eventually, the Osage bought their own reservation in Indian Territory and settled there in what is now Osage County, Oklahoma.

 

Tinker-Smith said her own family’s history was on her mind as she researched.

 

“When our tribe left Kansas in 1871, there had been so much death because of smallpox and starvation and other diseases,” she said. “The buffalo had been slaughtered. Fences had been put up. Everything had changed drastically. Because of that, the elders put away our ceremonies because they did not have the animals, plants, and implements they needed to do them properly. We are a highly organized people: You have a purpose, you learn how to do it, and you pass it on, but that could not be done anymore. My great-grandfather was born at St. Paul Mission in Kansas. I read a diary that said 600 Osage people died in one week while he was living there. This history touches our family so deeply.”

 

The first act of the ballet chronicles what was lost, while the second act portrays how the Osage survived and continue to thrive despite so much trauma.

 

“When I started meeting with these elders, I wanted to have permission about what I could tell in the story,” she said. “As long as I am alive, for example, you will never see our sacred ceremonial ways on our stage, but what you will see are the things we still have: Fire, feathers, water. Songs. There is a lot that we can share, and it is exceptionally beautiful.”

 

The Osage Ballet, Wahzhazhe was created by a predominately Indigenous team with choreography by Jenna LaViolette (Osage) and original music by Osage composer Lou Brock. Dr. Joseph Rivers, chair of the film department at the University of Tulsa, composed original music and arranged the score. Osage artists Wendy Ponca, Alexander Ponca Stock, and the late Terry Wann, designed the costumes and backdrops. Shawnee Peoria artist Roman Jasinski, Jr. served as artistic adviser. (Jasinski is the son of Moscelyne Larkin, one of five Indigenous ballerinas from Oklahoma to gain international fame in the 20th century.) Professional dancers for the production are from ballet companies around the US. Joining the professional dancers are students of Dance Maker Academy in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, representing 19 Native nations.

 

For tickets and information on the July 21 and 22 performances in Fort Scott, KS visit their website, www.osageballet.com/events  and watch for posts

Fort Scott, Government

New City Commissioner: Melissa Guns

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Melissa Guns. Submitted photo.

Melissa Guns, 43, was recently selected to serve on the Fort Scott City Commissioner, replacing Josh Jones, who moved outside the city limits.

She was sworn in directly after being selected on June 18.

Fort Scott City Hall.

“The duties of the position include working with other council members to make fiscally and ethically sound decisions, closely reviewing and monitoring the budget and expenditures, creating the budget, passing ordinances that will benefit the greatest number of citizens possible, ensuring city policies do not harm vulnerable populations, bringing concerns and needs regarding the day-to-day operations to the attention of the City Manager, listening to citizens’ concerns and viewpoints, passing policies that will help the growth of the city’s economy, working to reduce or minimize the tax burden of citizens whenever possible, and collective oversight of the City Manager,” she said.

Citizens may contact Guns with concerns or comments by emailing  [email protected] or calling City Hall and leaving a message with the City Clerk.

Background

Guns graduated from Barnesville High School in 1998, then earned a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Science in 2005 and Master of Education in 2012, both through Wilmington University, New Castle, DE

She is currently employed as a Program Evaluator at Greenbush Education Service Center in the Research, Evaluation and Grants Department.

“In my current role, I have written three grants for 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) all of which were funded for $500,000 each over five years.”

She evaluates and writes grants. These grants provided funding for improving literacy by providing training for teachers, access to books, etc.

Guns is part of the Kansas Prevention Collaborative (KPC)  evaluating for the Kansas Prevention Collaborative and other coalitions who have received prevention grants from the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services (KDADS).

She also evaluates the Kansas Prevention Collaborative trainings, events, and workforce.

“I also build surveys and other evaluation tools, most recently supporting the State Opioid Response, Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers, Community Mental Health Centers, Assisted Outpatient Treatment, and the KS Heart Program, and has also written smaller grants outside of Greenbush.

Prior to moving to Kansas in 2016, she was an administrative assistant for Bradco Services, a small construction company, putting together bids and familiarizing herself with the International Building Code Standards, learning federal payroll compliance,  developing marketing and media to promote the business.

In her youth, she taught Bible classes to younger children, went on mission trips within the U.S. and Honduras, cared for the elderly at an assisted living home, and participated in AmeriCorp/VISTA as a Volunteer Coordinator for a summer reading and nutrition program in Parkersburg, WV.

Philosophy

Guns believes good citizenship is a duty.

She loves the area in Ohio where she grew up and learned first-hand that there is a need to have ” a broad enough industry to provide jobs to people from all walks of life and education levels. I believe that if a town is not moving forward to ensure jobs, housing, infrastructure, and financial stability it will slowly die.”

“I want to ensure Fort Scott retains small town values while expanding enough that no matter what path our children take when they graduate high school, Fort Scott is a thriving desirable community where they will not have to choose between making their own homes in Fort Scott or having to move away in order to have a  job in their chosen profession,” she said.

“The choices we make now will determine the future,” she said. “It is imperative that Fort Scott makes sound fiscal decisions, grows economically, and repairs infrastructure in a way that supports future maintenance and expansion, while retaining the City’s rich history. That is the reason I submitted my letter of interest for the open position. I want to help Fort Scott achieve these goals and believe my experience will allow me to examine the decisions that need to be made from multiple perspectives to determine the best course of action.”

“I am working on creating a public Facebook page by which citizens may also contact me,” she said. “Please note that the ability to post on my page will be limited as this is meant to be a method of contact and not a public forum. Any questions, information, or issues that are appropriate for the City Manager to handle will be forwarded to him. I will respond to let you know the issue has been brought to his attention and any actions that are taken as a result. If citizens would like to share their viewpoint on an issue, I am happy to listen. I will not and cannot comment regarding personnel issues or instruct city personnel, as the only city employee under the direct purview of the committee is the City Manager.”

“Issues or concerns regarding employees other than the City Manager should be directed to Brad Matkin,” she said. “I will however, listen to and confer appreciation and accolades for city staff. ”

Family

Doug and Melissa have five children. Doug Jr.  lives in Virginia. Their  son Zander and daughter Emma attend Fort Scott High School, son John attends FSMS, and youngest son Lincoln attends Winfield Scott Elementary School.

 

 

Art, Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Fabric Art Classes offered July 8 at the Artificers

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Logo

Not Your Grandma’s Quilting Class!

You’re invited to work with textile artist Liberty Worth to give new life and artistic outcomes to old fabric scraps. We will be “painting” (no paint involved) with fabric to create new objects d’art. Class will be held July 8th 10am-12pm & 1-3pm!

You’ll Need…

a creative spirit, and an iron! That’s it!
Register for The Fabric Art Classes Here!

Connect with your Teacher

For more of Liberty check out her social!
Area News, Business, Fort Scott

Tri-Valley Foundation Annual Truck Raffle Drawing  

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Gwen and Pete Martin. Submitted photo.

 

Local Woman Wins 23rd Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation Annual Truck Raffle Drawing

 

After 23 years, the Friends of Tri-Valley  Foundation Truck Raffle Drawing has a Kansas Winner.  The Foundation is proud to announce the winner of the 23rd Annual Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation Truck Raffle Drawing:  Gwen Martin.  Gwen’s ticket was drawn from 1,659 entries on Friday, June 23rd at 1:30 pm by TVDS Financial Specialist Christie Fritch.  Gwen was notified immediately and was both surprised and excited to hear that she had won.  Gwen came on Wednesday, June 27th to collect her prize.  She is from Woodson County and  as such is familiar with the services Tri-Valley provides and has been a proud supporter in the past.   She is from now the proud owner of a 2023 Ford F150 Platinum Edition Truck, purchased from Steve Faulkner Ford in Chanute, KS. 

Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s raffle drawing.  This year’s raffle drawing raised $10,000 which will go to provide quality and affordable housing as well as aid in the delivery of services for our neighbors with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD).   Since 2001, the Foundation has built six houses as well as acquired eight houses and one duplex.  These fifteen houses are home to 66 individuals with I/DD that reside in the SE Kansas counties of Allen, Bourbon, Chautauqua, Elk, Greenwood, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson.   The Friends of Tri-Valley is licensed through the State of Kansas for this raffle (RAF000005).

Tricia Campbell, TVDS Special Projects Coordinator; Gwen and Pete Martin; Bill Fiscus, TVDS CEO; and Jeff Lassman, Steve Faulkner Ford. Submitted photo,.

 

 

Entertainment, Fort Scott

Friday Night Free Concert: Prairie Sunflower Strings

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The Fourth of July celebration will continue Friday at the Heritage Park Pavilion – folk style.

The Prairie Sunflower Strings will perform several patriotic songs beginning at 7 p.m. at 1st and Main streets.

The musical group plays traditional folk music and has put together a collection of patriotic music for the season. A few traditional songs will also be added into the mix.

Members of the group are Jean Strader and Cherry Nelson on mountain dulcimers, Marilyn Adcock on autoharp and vocals, Sandy Hemphill on guitar, violin and vocals, and Jack Hemphill on guitar. The musicians have been playing together for about five years.

“This is a group of very talented musicians and vocalists who are always a delight to hear,” concert-series organizer Ralph Carlson said. “Their sound is unique and gets to the heart of what local music is about.”

Sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, Friday Night Concerts are free. Bring lawn chairs as seating is limited. In the event of rain or extreme heat, the concert will be moved to Common Ground Coffee Co., 12 E. Wall St.

Sound support is provided by Dave’s Music Gear and Jim Butler. The concert series is sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.

 

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Fort Scott National Historic Site

Chamber Coffee at FS National Historic Site on July 6

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ANNOUNCING THIS WEEK’S
CHAMBER COFFEE
Join us for Chamber Coffee hosted by

Friends of Fort Scott

National Historic Site

Thursday, July 6th

8am

Fort Scott National Historic Site

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee this Thursday, July 6th at 8 a.m. hosted by Friends of Fort Scott NHS. The Chamber Coffee will be at the Fort Scott National Historic Site and will be in the park’s Theater on the second floor of the Infantry Barracks just west, to the left, of the Visitor Center. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served in addition to a door prize drawing.

Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site’s mission is to be a friend of the National Historic Site and their primary purpose is to support the National Historic Site in a partnership through activities that may include fundraising, volunteerism, education, advocacy and research. To do that they need to raise funds and they raise funds through their Flag Subscription Program.

 

They are promoting the Wahzhazhe Osage ballet which is to be preformed at the Ellis Fine Arts Center on the campus of the Fort Scott Community College on July 21st at 7:30pm, and July 22nd at 3:00pm and 7:30pm. The rich history of the Osage Nation is brought to life in a stunningly beautiful stage performance using traditional drums, costumes, and contemporary dance. The heart-pounding drumbeats, rhythmic dancing, and compelling stories of Wahzhazhe are sure to delight dancing enthusiasts and history fans of all ages.

 

Any member business or organization wanting to host Chamber Coffee in 2022 is encouraged to contact the Chamber to save a date by calling 620-223-3566 or emailing [email protected].

 

Click here for their Facebook page!

We hope to see you there!
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members
shown below!
FORT SCOTT AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
620-223-3566
Facebook  Twitter
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

What’s Happening in Fort Scott

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What’s Happening in Fort Scott! June 30th Weekly Newsletter

UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS

________________

Fort Scott National Historic Site

Daily Guided Tours: 10am & 1pm

Special activites all this weekend! See link below.

Visit your National Park!

Trolley Tours of Fort Scott

50-minute narrated historical tour

Every Friday & Saturday on the hour

Fridays 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm

Saturdays 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm

$6 adults, $4 12 & under, leaves from the Chamber

Click this link: The Artificers

July pottery class/workshop

schedule, a creative space for all ages!

Click here for all the FUN activities at the

Museum of Creativity, something for all ages!

BINGO hosted by the American Legion Post 25 every 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month unless it falls on a holiday. Doors open at 6pm and Bingo starts at 7pm at Memorial Hall.

June Special at Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore, Good Ol’ Days & Good Books, 25% off History, Historical Fiction, and Old Books

Fort Scott Public Library Summer Schedule has ALOT of fun things to do! Click here to see!

6/26-30 ~ Vacation Bible School – First Presbyterian & First Methodist Churches, 5:30-8pm at 1st Presbyterian Church, 3rd and Crawford

6/30 ~ “Masterpieces in Motion” Art Show by Kids Camp Artists at The Artificers, 6-8pm, 8 N. National Ave., all are welcome to check out the projects kids have been creating all week!

6/30 ~ Friday Night Concert at Heritage Park Pavilion, seating in limited so those attending are encourage to bring lawn chairs, entertainment is free and all are welcome, 7-8pm, click here for more info! This week is featuing the First Southern Baptist Church Worship team.

6/30 ~ The Wayward Bettys Patio Concert at Crooners, $20 to reserve your seat, all proceeds will go to Christmas Gifts for children in foster care, click here for more info! (Sold out!)

7/1-4 ~ Independence Day Weekend Activities at Fort Scott National Historic Site, click here for a complete listing!

7/1 ~ Farmers’ Market, 8am-12pm, Skubitz Plaza in front of the Fort, 1 Old Fort Blvd.

7/1 ~ The Lavender Patch Farm will be open many days throughout the month of July, click here for specific hours/dates.

7/3 ~ Bids & Dibs Red/White/Blue Sale, enjoy 25% off anything red, white, and blue!

7/3 ~ Community Fireworks Display in Fort Scott, starting at dusk, click here for more info! Tune in to All Hit 103.9 FM for patriotic music during the display!

7/3 ~ Uniontown Independence Day Bash sponsored by Union State Bank, free hotdogs and chips, inflatables for kids, live entertainment by Trevor Holman and the Haymakers, huge fireworks display, festivities start at 6:30pm, click here for more info!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY FROM THE

FORT SCOTT AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE!

7/4 ~ 41st Annual Burke Street Parade, 10am, click here for more info! Refreshments will be served at the Humphrey home located at 1024 Burke St. following the parade.

7/6 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site, 1 Old Fort Blvd, 8am

7/7-8 ~ Bourbon County Fair Rodeo, 8pm Nightly at the Fairgrounds, Beer Garden/Calf Scramble/Bull Poker/and MORE!, click here for more info! Advance tickets on sale @ Chamber!

7/6-9 ~ John Hill FSCC Summer Showcase Baseball Tournament, click here for more info!

7/6 ~ First Friday at The Artificers, opened late from 5-9pm, click here for more info! Artist Opening & Reception for Master Textile & Fabric Artist Liberty Worth and Guest Artist Gentry Warren, artist talk @ 7pm.

7/6 ~ Backroom Art Gallery First Friday Located at Hare & Crow, 1-9pm, click here for more info!

7/6 ~ Friday Night Concert at Heritage Park Pavilion, seating in limited so those attending are encourage to bring lawn chairs, entertainment is free and all are welcome, 7-8pm, click here for more info!

7/8 ~ Master Artist Class @ The Artificers, Abstract Fabric Collage with Textile and Fabric Artist Liberty Worth, age 14+, 10am-12pm and 1-3pm.

7/8 ~ 49th Annual Bronson Day, Bronson Public Park, 10am-1pm, click here for more info!

7/8 ~ Kale Nelson State Farm Car Show as part of Bronson Day, 12-3pm, click here!

7/9 ~ Flower Bouquet Class at Sunshine Boutique, $10/person, 10am-12pm, click here for more info!

7/11 ~ Downtown Meet & Greet, Lyons Realty Group, 8:30-9:30am, click here for more info!

7/11-12 ~ USD 234 Fort Scott School District JOB FAIR, click here for more info!

7/11 ~ Paint your Pet 2 – Paint and Pizza at Papa Don’s, $5 to reserve your spot with $20 due at class, 11am-2pm, click here for more info!

7/13 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by City State Bank, 202 Scott Avenue, 8am

7/14 ~ Chamber Golf Classic, 4 person scramble, 9am registration with a 10am tee-off time, click here for more info and to register!

SAVE THE DATE!

7/15-21 ~ Bourbon County FAIR at the Fairgrounds, click here for the schedule!

7/18 ~ Book Launch for Patty LaRoche’s new book, “A Little Faith Lift”, at Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore, 7-8:30pm.

7/21-22 ~ Wahzhazhe- The Osage Ballet, Danny and Willa Ellis Family Arts Center, Three different date/times: July 21st @ 7:30pm, July 22nd @ 3pm and 7:30pm, click here for more info and to order tickets!

7/22 ~ Game Show Road Show Event by Advanced Bourbon Couty, Memorial Hall, 1 E. 3rd St. 7-10pm, click here for more info!

7/28 ~ Uniontown Live Music Event Featuring Country Singer Rick Hite, Ice Cream Social starting at 6:15pm, music @ 7pm, Uniontown Park, click here for more info!

_________

SHOPPING ~ SUPPORT LOCAL!

Boutiques-Antiques-Flea Markets & more!

Click here for Chamber member

specialty shopping & other retail in

Downtown & other areas of the community.
Fort Scott Area
Chamber of Commerce
620-223-3566
In This Issue

Calendar of Events

Special Event Features

THANK YOU Chamber Champion members!!
Chamber Highlights
Click here for our
Membership Directory.
We THANK our members for their support! Interested in joining the Chamber?
Click here for info.
Thinking of doing business in or relocating to Fort Scott?
Contact us for a relocation packet, information on grants & incentives, and more!
Seeking a job/career?
We post a Job of the Day daily on our Facebook page, distribute a monthly job openings flyer, and post jobs on our website.
Many opportunities available!
Housing needs?
Click here for a listing of our Chamber member realtors.
Click here for our rental listing.

Celebrate 4th of July Weekend in Fort Scott!

See full schedule of events below!

Bids & Dibs Red White or Blue Sale, enjoy 25% off anything red, white, and blue!

Chamber Member Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore

Store hours for the Holiday Weekend!

Downtown Fort Scott!

Community Firework Show July 3rd

starting at dusk on the grounds of FSCC,

2108 S. Horton St. Tune in to All Hit 103.9FM!
…
Business, Food, Fort Scott

Taco Azul Food Truck Moves to The Twin Mansions

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Taco Azul Food Truck has turned the gazebo on the grounds of the Twin Mansions into place to eat their Mexican food. Submitted photo.

The Taco Azul Food Truck has moved to a new site with more seating and shade for their customers.

The menu. Submitted photo.

“We’re excited about this move because there’s more seating, more shade, more room for kids to move around, and altogether a great atmosphere,” Erin Macik said. “Seb set up a really neat outside dining area, and it will be a lovely gathering place for the folks of Fort Scott.”

“Our only regret is that everyone at the Washateria was very accommodating and pleasant to work with, and we’re sad to leave them,” she said.

The reason for the move: technical reasons.

“The generator for the trailer has a carbon monoxide detector and automatically shuts off when levels get high,” she said. “Unfortunately, it was shutting off about every 20 minutes, so we needed to find a place with a plug-in. We were able to install one easily at the mansions, and Seb is starting there today!”

“After a year of planning and setting up, we opened at the Good Ol’ Days festival this year,” Erin said.

Taco Azul at Good Ol Days Festival 2023. Submitted photo.

Seb Macik spent some time teaching in Mexico City before he and Erin were married, and discovered Mexican street tacos during that time.

“Ever since then, he’s been working to make the perfect street taco, and the result is Taco Azul: real-deal Mexico City tacos in Fort Scott, KS,” she said.

Street tacos made by Seb Macik. Submitted photo.

The Twin Mansions are located at 742 National Ave., Fort Scott, they are in the parking lot behind

.
Regular hours are Wednesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

“We post the week’s schedule on Facebook every week, and there are slight changes occasionally, but in general, those are the hours we’ll be open,” Erin said.

 

 

Taco Azul Food Truck has moved to the Twin Mansions property on National Avenue. Submitted photo. This is the dining area set up at the gazebo on the property.

 

Entertainment, Fort Scott

Wayward Bettys At Crooners June 30

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Sending on behalf of Chamber Member

Fort Scott Rotary Club…

The Wayward Betty’s!

Join us for a patio concert featuring

The Wayward Betty’s at Crooner’s!

Friday, June 30th at 7:30pm

Crooner’s Patio, 111 S. Main St.

$20/per person

To reserve your seating please call or text 620.224.4442

Checks, Venmo, Paypal Accepted

All proceeds will be used to provide Christmas gifts to children in Foster Care.

If you would like to dine at Crooner’s before the concert, please make a dinner reservation online at fscrooners.com
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Entertainment, Fort Scott

Spectacular Display and Other Fun Is Planned for July 3 in Fort Scott

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A fireworks display. Photo provided by Shawn Pytlowany.

The annual community fireworks display will be July 3 at Fort Scott Community College, 2108 Horton Street. Cars will be lined up on Horton for viewing the display.

Shaunn Pytlowany, lead pyrotechnician with Premier Pyrotechnics will be once again be orchestrating the fireworks display for Fort Scott.

“This is our second year of a multi-year contract,” Pytlowany said.

The display will be shorter this year, but more spectacular.

“We have been asked to provide a 15 minute show, to shorten it, so there will be more going off at any one time,” Pytlowany said. “Which will make it more spectacular.”

Fireworks set up for a display. Photo submitted by Shawn Pytlowany.

KMDO, KOMB, 103.9 radio station will be broadcasting music to listen to while watching the display.

There will be 512 aerials exploded with display heights of between 275 to 600 feet, depending on wind speed and humidity, he said.

Pytlowany and his crew will start setting up the display at 7 a.m. on July 3 and under normal circumstances set up will be complete between 8:30 and 9 p.m.

He has provided displays for local football and soccer games, cities, weddings, family reunions, and at the LaRoche Baseball Complex for the Wounded Warrior Project. The Premier Pyrotechnics company has provided displays for the Kansas City Royals and Chiefs, he said.

He has worked at Premier Pyrotechnics, based in Richland, MO for nine years, but has been fascinated by them for 40 years, he said.

“I was always interested in the design, manufacturing process and of course the explosion,” he said.

Sponsors

Advance Bourbon County, a local non-profit, took over the organizing and paying for the display from the Elks Club this year.

This year the cost of the event is $12,000.

Helping to sponsor the fireworks event is Fort Scott Gun and Pawn Shop, the City of Fort Scott, Tall Grass Building System, the American Legion, the Elks Club, Brian Bowman Construction, Engstrom Construction, the Kiwanis Club and A-1 Towing.

 

Prelude Fun and Food

There will be local vendors selling food and drinks: Juan Some Grub, Fort Scott High School Swim Team-lemonade tent, Valley Flavor, Tiger Ice Sno Cones, Doggone Dogs, and Los Tres Pollitos, Aaron Judy, one of the organizers said.

Additionally, there will be corn hole and other yard games for people to use, he said.

These will be set up in the area between the FSCC John Deere Department (the old armory) and the 4-H Building on the Bourbon County Fairgrounds.

 

Fort Scott’s Rules For Fireworks

During the event, there can be no fireworks discharged from 18th Street and Horton Street to 23rd and Horton, according to Fort Scott Police Department  Chief Jason Pickert.

“They cannot be discharged on the community college campus or on the Bourbon County Fairgrounds,” he said.

Fireworks can be purchased until July 4.

Until July 2 they can be discharged from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. On July 3 and July 4 they can be discharged from 7 a.m. until midnight.