Plans under way for Gunn Park Freedom Fest

Organizers of the 2007 Gunn Park Freedom Fest have a variety of new events lined up that could create quite a bang for people of all ages.

The Fort Scott Park Event Committee and the City of Fort Scott coordinate the annual Independence Day festival, which features a full day of activities and games, food and refreshments, fun competitions, and children's rides. The third annual event is set to take place from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 4, at Gunn Park, 1010 Park Ave.

Many people thought last year's event, which takes place outdoors, was canceled due to excessive rainfall the morning of the festival. However, the event went on as planned, as it will this year, even in the event of inclement weather, co-organizer and committee member Diana Mitchell said.

A new event that organizers have planned is a co-ed mud volleyball tournament, which will take place at 10 a.m. the day of the festival. Teams can register at a cost of $10 each. A new activity this year will allow teenagers and young adults to come together in an area inside the park to socialize and listen to a variety of music that is popular with today's youth, Mitchell said.

Another new event this year is an art fair that will feature artwork designed by both amateur and professional artists. Those interested in entering artwork for display may call committee member Kathy Plain at (620) 223-0550, or 223-1637.

The committee has also organized a first-ever duck race, which will begin at 2 p.m. July 4 at Gunn Park. Participants may purchase toy ducks (at a cost of $5 for two ducks, with no limit to the number of ducks that can be purchased) that will be featured in a race, with cash prizes being awarded to the top six finishers in the race. The grand prize winner will receive $500, and five $100 prizes will also be awarded. Call the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information.

Planners created Freedom Fest a few years ago to address the problem officials noted with local residents traveling out-of-town to attend Fourth of July events in other towns. Freedom Fest organizers said they hope recently skyrocketing gas prices will play a part in the number of people who stay in Fort Scott to enjoy the all-day event.

"You can have fun, and you don't have to go out of town to do it," Mitchell said.

While there is no cost to enter the park, various rides and activities will require guests to pay minimal fees.

The event kicks off at 7:30 a.m. with the third annual 5K Sam's Walk and Run, which guests may participate in at a cost of $10 per person. The cost to enter the race includes a free T-shirt. The race, named after well-known local resident and runner Sam Morris who died in 2005, will follow paved roads through scenic Gunn Park. Call Mercy Health for Life at (620) 223-7073 to register for the run.

A children's fishing derby at Fern Lake inside the park, a rock climbing wall, and a petting zoo that features more than 60 animals, which are all free of charge, will be available to youngsters starting at 9 a.m. that day. Children may also take part in a number of rides and games, including an inflatable moonwalk and obstacle course, youth train rides, and pony rides, which cost $2 per child or $10 for an armband that allows the child to take part in all attractions.

Canoe races for children and adults, which are free of charge, take place starting at 10 a.m. July 4 on the second lake at the west end of the park. A dunk tank will return this year, beginning at noon, at a cost of $1 for three throws by each interested festival-goer. In this event, participants will get a chance to dunk various Fort Scott city officials and other local residents

Other events for teens and young adults include a 9-hole disc golf tournament starting at 10 a.m., at a cost of $5 per person. Teams will be divided into two divisions for this tournament. A horseshoe tournament, which will also cost $5 per person, is also planned for 10 a.m.

Teams will also be set up to participate in a water balloon launch contest starting at 1 p.m. The cost of this competition is $2 per team. Two-person canoe races, which are free, are also scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.

A free tug-of-war competition will conclude the afternoon's activities at 3 p.m. Anyone interested in participating in any competitions that take place the day of the festival may call Fort Scott Park Event Committee member Tom Robertson at (620) 223-0386 to register.

Concession stands and various attractions will be located throughout Gunn Park, as well as local and out-of-town musicians who will perform different styles of music throughout the day.

Five local organizations will operate food booths featuring nachos, snow cones and popcorn, among other treats, the entire day. Beverage carts will also be available.

An ice cream social sponsored by local church groups, and an antique car show are also scheduled to take place during the day.

As it is every year, parking for the festival will be available at the Mercy Medical Plaza located at 902 S. Horton St., or in the Fort Scott Community College nursing facility parking lot at the corner of Ninth and Osbun streets. Buses will then transport passengers into the park, and then back to their vehicles when they leave the park. The buses will be handicapped-accessible, organizers said.

All proceeds from the event help fund similar events in the fall and winter that are organized by the Fort Scott Park Event Committee. The Freedom Fest concludes at about 5 p.m. July 4 to allow time for people to prepare for the annual fireworks display later that evening that is coordinated by Fort Scott city officials and members of the Elks Lodge in Fort Scott.

For more information about Freedom Fest, call Mitchell at (620) 223-6440, 223-6566, or e-mail her at diana@theeyecenters.com.