Market slates first fest

Bicycles, music and food will all be part of the Fort Scott Farmers' Market's first festival of the season.

Activities scheduled for 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 9, will include live music, cooking demonstrations and free food sampling, a bike rodeo and a fundraiser for a local nonprofit organization.

The theme for the festival is "Rub and Grub," designed to track the theme of the Echoes of the Trail Cowboy Gathering slated that same weekend at Fort Scott Community College.

Fort Scott Farmers' Market Association spokeswoman and vendor Mary Corpstein said the morning will begin with free samples of pastries and baked goods offered by market vendors. Other samples will include various rubbed, smoked and grilled meats.

Local resident Brad Allison will present a demonstration on how to properly grill vegetables and provide free samples.

"He's a wonderful grillmaster with veggies and fresh produce," Corpstein said.

The Fort Scott Police Department will conduct its 4th annual bike rodeo from 8 to 11 a.m. on the west end of Skubitz Plaza. The event includes free bike registration, information on bicycle safety and a bicycle safety course. The rodeo is also designed to teach children and other riders basic riding skills.

FSPD School Resource Officer Toby Nighswonger said bike registration is an important tool in helping police recover a cycle if it is lost or stolen.

"It helps us greatly in terms of getting the bike back," he said. "It's much easier to get the bike back if it's stolen."

Nighswonger said the bike rodeo will also include coloring books for kids and a police car for children to look through.

There is currently a city ordinance stating that bikes must be registered. The process normally requires a small fee. The FSPD, in conjunction with the Fort Scott Farmers' Market Association, is offering the free registrations during the bike rodeo, Nighswonger said.

The bike rodeo drew about 15-20 bikes last year and participation has grown annually since it has been offered.

Participants are not just young people.

"There are a lot of older people, too, getting their bicycles out," Nighswonger said.

Live music during the festival will be provided by Chance Hoener, a guitarist and singer from Hiattville, who will perform country music and some of his original songs from 9 to 11 a.m.

Also scheduled during the festival is a fundraiser for Mother to Mother Ministry of Bourbon County, which helps mothers and families facing various needs. Proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit the nonprofit organization, Corpstein said.

A boy's and girl's bicycle will be given away during the fundraiser. There will be opportunities for people to donate money and receive a ticket that will give them a chance at winning one of the bikes.

Donations can be made at the June 2 and June 9 markets, at life+style, 22 N. Main St., or by contacting a market vendor.

For more information about the festival, contact Corpstein at (620) 857-4190, or 223-2670.