Americans traditionally celebrate Independence Day with fireworks and the fireworks season in Fort Scott starts on Tuesday, June 27.

The Fort Scott community fireworks display will be July 3 at dusk from the Fort Scott Community College softball fields, with spectators lining Horton Street for viewing.

There are new organizers this year.

In April, Josh Jones and Aaron Judy, two local businessmen,  found out that the Elks Club was no longer going to provide the fireworks for the annual event.

“They did a good job through the years, but didn’t want to take it on anymore,” Josh Jones said.

Judy and Jones are the coordinators of the event, through the Advance Bourbon County 501c3 organization.

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.

“Last year it cost about $11,000 for the fireworks show,” Jones said.

Enjoy Some Food While Waiting

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, Judy 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, Judy said.

For other upcoming community events that Advance Bourbon County sponsors go to:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/359218265090451

Fort Scott’s Rules For Fireworks

During the event, there can be no fireworks discharged from 18^th Street and Horton Street to 23^rd 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 from June 27 to July 4.

From June 27 to 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.

Carolyn Tucker Presents “Music of a Lifetime” Concert

This week the Friday Night Free Concert in Fort Scott will be indoors.

Carolyn Tucker will present her “Music of a Lifetime” concert on Friday, June 23, 7:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 308 S. Crawford Street.

The evening will feature some of the gospel music that has impacted Carolyn’s life. The selections will be both piano and vocal, including three piano solos. The music will feature camp-meeting songs such as, “This World is Not My Home,“ beloved hymns, spirituals, southern-gospel classics by songwriter Dottie Rambo, and one original song, “His Sweet Love.”

“Carolyn ‘cut her teeth’ on the music of the church and southern gospel,” concert-series organizer Ralph Carlson said. “Coming from a long line of musicians on her mother’s side, as a young child, she consistently begged her parents for a piano and they soon complied. She began studying piano at the age of nine and quickly discovered that she could also play by ear. Years later, her father affirmed that buying a new piano for his daughter was the best investment he ever made. She has a lifetime of involvement playing and singing for church, funerals, weddings, concerts, retirement facilities, and other venues.”

Dave Oas and Jim Butler provide the sound. The public is invited and encouraged to attend the event complete with comfortable seating and air-conditioning. The one-hour free concert is sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.

 “Come One, Come All, Let Freedom Ring!  It is once again time to celebrate U.S.A.’s 247^th Independence Day with a neighborhood parade on Fort Scott’s Tower Hill better known as Burke Street on the Fourth of July,” according to a press release from Barb Albright.

The  Annual Burke Street Parade kicks-off at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 4, with The Pledge of Allegiance led by Louie Dunkeson,  and kids’  singing patriotic songs. The singing became a tradition  following the September 11 attack on America, in 2001, she said.

But the parade dates back over four decades, 41 years ago.

“The parade began as a neighborhood event,” Albright said. “Today the general public is more than welcome to participate,  bring a lawn chair and sit along the parade route , and partake in the post-parade social.”

Following patriotic songs by “Kids on Burke” led by two of the parade founders:  Susan Foster and Jill Gorman; the parade will depart at 10 a.m. from Tenth and Burke Street going south around the Marblecrest Street Triangle and returning north to the point of origin, according to the press release.  Traditionally, cheering spectators are encouraged to bring lawn chairs for comfortable seating and dress in red, white, and blue. Spectators line the parade route with family and friends.

“Post-parade refreshments will be served and ALL ARE WELCOME to the front yard of “Lady Liberty” and  “Uncle Sam” also known as Margaret and Merl Humphrey, 1024 Burke,” Albright said.  “Margaret is another founder of the event.  Neighbors and friends-of-the-parade donate the cookies, and drinks are provided by this year’s hosts Bryan and Julie Buchta.”

A severe storm or lightning strikes cancels the parade and there are no large vehicles allowed due to the many children participating in the festivities.

Parade questions can be answered by Margaret Humphrey 620-223-0388 or Theresa Bahr 620-215-2889.

History of the Burke Street Parade

This history information was gathered by Barb Albright from the following sources:   Fort Scott Tribune articles, online Fort Scott.Biz articles, and a co-founder Margaret Humphrey interview.

“Over 40-years ago local Fort Scott resident Susan Stapleton Foster was visiting her brother Dr. Burder Stapleton’s family in Memphis, TN, over the Fourth of July.  She was fascinated with the neighborhood parades celebrating Independence Day, and returned home to share the idea of a patriotic parade with her Burke Street neighbors Margaret Humphrey and Jill Gorman. 

“According to Margaret Humphrey, the first parades were small going north on Burke past Mercy Hospital and turning back to the south.  A few spectators would come out to see the parade pass and send encouraging cheers to the participants.  After the parade there would be neighbors gathering for cookies and conversations.

“Today the Burke Street Parade remains a patriotic tradition thanks to kids on their bicycles, parents pushing baby strollers, men riding lawn mowers, owners walking their costumed pets, folks marching, and last… but not least, the flag-waving spectators along the parade route in their red, white, and blue attire.

As the crowd has grown, so has the refreshment table with many contributors dropping off cookies prior to the parade.  This year’s hosts are 1002 Burke newcomers to Fort Scott, Bryan and Julie Buchta who will be serving post-parade cookies and drinks in the Humphrey’s front yard at 1024 Burke.”