Good Ol' Days on tap for June 4-7

The 2009 Good Ol' Days festival will take place the evenings of June 4-5 and all day June 6-7 in downtown Fort Scott.

The schedule of events for the festival is now available at the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, 231 E. Wall St., the Fort Scott National Historic Site, Country Cupboard, 12 N. Main St., and at other locations throughout town. The schedule may also be viewed online at www.fortscottgoodoldays.com.

Good Ol' Days will feature many returning events and several new events this year. Returning favorites include the 4th Annual Fort Scott Idol, the Grand Parade, the 2nd Annual Wiener Dog Race, the carnival, the Red Garter Saloon Show, Candyland Amusements and Carnival, and more. An old favorite, the bed race, will return this year and is scheduled to take place at 7 p.m. Friday, June 5.

Kevin Allen, the chairman for this event, is currently looking for entries. He may be reached at (620) 224-4720.

New events this year include the DockDogs competition; a girl's fast pitch softball tournament at Fisher Park; the Farmer's Market at the corner of Wall and Scott streets; a "Strut Your Mutt" contest; "Fun on Aloha Island featuring activities for kids; the "Amish Community" featuring baked goods and craft items made by local Amish families; an artist's niche with demonstrations by artists of all types; a disc golf tournament at Gunn Park; and a skateboard exhibition.

New entertainers this year include comedian and juggler Jason Huneke and the Gospel Ship Quartet with Patsy Wade on the gospel stage.

Entertainment will include music on two stages; the gospel stage at Third and Main streets and the main stage at First and Main streets. Street dances will take place Friday and Saturday evening at Skubitz Plaza. The theme for Friday night's dance is "DJ Kirby's Video Mix Dance Party" featuring Fort Scott native Kirby Hamm, and Saturday night's dance will feature long-time Good Ol' Days favorites Joe Giles and the Homewreckers. Both dances will begin at 8 p.m.

Performers in the four-state region can submit applications for the 4th Annual Fort Scott Idol contest, which kicks off this year's festival at 6 p.m. June 4 at Memorial Hall, 1 E. Third St.

"The Fort Scott Idol contest has turned into a great venue to showcase local and regional talent," contest coordinator Millie Lipscomb said. "While last year's winners are not allowed to compete, they are encouraged to perform for the crowd."

Contestants will perform one song during the Thursday night competition. Applications and entry forms are available at Country Cupboard and online on the Good Ol' Days Web site. The deadline for submitting an application is May 22.

Tickets for the Good Ol' Chicken Dinner, which cost $7, and Fort Scott Idol, which cost $3, are currently on sale at Country Cupboard. Each dinner includes two sides, bread, chicken and a beverage.