Thursday evening marks the beginning of the 35th annual Good Ol’ Days Festival in downtown Fort Scott, as local businesses, organizations and other participants prepare for the wide range of events and attractions that will be held Thursday through Saturday.
Celebrating the 100th birthday of the National Parks Service, the Fort Scott National Historic Site will play a role in the weekend activities as eight different national parks will be represented and will provide tours, artillery and other demonstrations, a variety of historic presentations as well as a performance by Native American Dancers at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Saturday.
Entertainment will be provided throughout the weekend at stages located at 1st and 3rd streets intersecting with Main Street, including local bands such as the Hemphill Family Band, Danny Brown, BJ Pruitt and Close to Nowhere, as well as visiting artists such as the Vogt Sisters. The Red Garter Show will also be performed Friday evening and throughout the day on Saturday. Street dances will be held Friday and Saturday evening.
Activities will kick off Thursday evening with the 11th Annual Fort Scott Idol Contest at Memorial Hall, featuring contestants divided into groups ranging from 5 years to adults and group performances. From 7-11 p.m., visitors can then enjoy the carnival located at the west end of Skubitz Plaza.
The Good Ol’ Days Parade will begin at 6 p.m. Friday and will travel north on Main Street and then turn at Wall Street and head south on National. A chicken dinner will be provided for $7 between 5 and 7 p.m.
For the first time, visitors will also be able to shop the street fair on North Main Street Friday between 5 and 10 p.m. as well as 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday. A total of about 115 vendors will be on hand for the street fair.
Other activities and events throughout the weekend will include races at Frary Field, a human foosball tournament, dueling pianos show, a petting zoo, baby judging contest, motorcycle and car show, the farmer’s market, guided shuttle tours and food vendors.
Visitors should prepare for road closures throughout the weekend in downtown Fort Scott. A full schedule of events and map brochure can be found at: http://fortscott.com/images/userfiles/File/Events/2016_Brochure_-_Good_Ol_Days_Festival.pdf