Weekend tours enjoy success

Volunteer re-enactors (from left) Justin Hall, John Klassen, David Haimerl and Justin Sochacki share a laugh as they prepare for their scene Friday evening during a media preview of the Candlelight Tour at the Fort Scott National Historic Site. The men portrayed characters in a scene set in December 1860 at Fort Scott, just after the election of Abraham Lincoln when southern states were starting to secede.(Jason E. Silvers/Tribune)

It was a successful weekend for several annual community events.

Kelley Collins, park ranger at the Fort Scott National Historic Site, said a total of 625 people attended this year's Candlelight Tour on Friday and Saturday. The tours featured living history presentations by volunteer re-enactors dressed in mid-1800s costumes and tours of the candlelit fort.

"It went well," Collins said. "It was pretty nice weather. We had a good turnout."

Volunteer re-enactors (from left) Brad Duncan, Blu Anderson and Enoch Doubledee talk and play cards during a scene from Friday evening's Candlelight Tour at the Fort Scott National Historic Site. The scene was set in the dragoon barracks just after the Mexican-American War. Dialogue revolved around the controversy of whether to allow slavery in the western territories. (Jason E. Silvers/Tribune)

Tour guide Reed Hartford said early Friday evening that only a few tickets remained for the Friday tours, and tickets for the Saturday tours were also selling well.

Collins said Monday said both nights went well, especially Saturday.

"We offered more tours on Saturday, so it was just busier," she said. "We had a lot of last-minute ticket purchases."

Betty Lemons sits on the couch in the living room of her Lake Fort Scott home, which was part of the Historic Preservation Association of Bourbon County's Moonlight and Mistletoe tour Friday. The special tour was part of the association's Homes for the Holidays Tour, a major fundraiser for the organization.(Ruth Campbell/Tribune)

Nearly 100 re-enactors and other volunteers of various ages -- including some area high school students -- helping out in other ways made the event a success, Collins said.

"We had a great group of volunteers, close to 100 people helped out," she said. "Everybody pitched in. It was quite a good event."

Proceeds from the tours go toward event expenses such as candle lanterns, costumes and props, and refreshments for a reception following the tours, Collins said.

Larry Swaim plays the organ for atmosphere during a Homes for the Holidays stop at First United Methodist Church Friday. The church was also part of the Historic Preservation Association of Bourbon County's Moonlight and Mistletoe event, a special tour, Friday night.(Ruth Campbell/Tribune)

"It's not a fundraiser for the fort," she said. "It covers the expenses of the tour. It's quite costly just to light the candle lanterns, but we get quality candles that last most of the evening."

"Marching Toward War" was the theme for this year's event. The five scenes presented told the story of Fort Scott's involvement in events that divided America in the mid-1800s as the nation marched toward civil war.

The tour has been offered each holiday season at the site since 1982 and more than 20,000 people have participated.

Volunteer re-enactors (from left) Brett Dawson, Ed Richardson, Carl Anderton and Ric Quinteros perform a scene Friday evening during a media preview of the Candlelight Tour at the Fort Scott National Historic Site. In the scene, Deputy Marshall John Little, portrayed by Anderton, rounds up a posse to go after free staters operating an illegal court.(Jason E. Silvers/Tribune)

Don Miller, president of the Historic Preservation Association of Bourbon County, said foot traffic for the 31st Annual Homes for the Holidays tours, Moonlight and Mistletoe tour, and other HPA-sponsored events this past weekend was "very steady."

"It was a steady pace at all of the homes," he said. "Stocking Stuffer traffic was not only steady but heavy on occasions."

Weekend activities included home tours, shopping, music, crafts and food. The Homes for the Holidays tour is the major fundraiser for the HPA. Christmas music was performed throughout the day Saturday and Sunday at the First United Methodist Church, which was also a featured Homes for the Holidays tour site.

Miller said he talked to several craft vendors over the weekend who reported strong sales.

The parking lots of the Bourbon County 4-H building and the former National Guard Armory building -- where the Stocking Stuffer craft show, bake sale and barbecue took place this year -- were full most of the weekend.

"There were about 55 craft booths in the old armory and the 4-H building," he said. "The quality of the crafts was extremely good."

Miller said he estimates that more than 1,000 people attended all the events throughout the weekend, though a final tally of raised funds was not yet available.

"From top to bottom, it was a very successful weekend," he said. "It was a terrific effort by several hundred people in the community ... People were very cooperative and helpful."