Fort Scott Idol kicks off festival tonight

Megan Smith performs during last year's Fort Scott Idol singing competition. Smith won first place in the 4-11 age group for her performance. Fort Scott Idol kicks off Good Ol' Days for the fifth consecutive year with the annual show at Memorial Hall, 1 E. 3rd, at 6 p.m. tonight. (Tribune file photo)

Organizers of the 29th Annual Good Ol' Days Celebration have planned a variety of events for people of all ages.

The annual festival begins with the Fort Scott Idol contest scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday at Memorial Hall, 1 E. Third St. Friday's schedule includes a parade at 6 p.m. followed by bed races, weiner dog races, events at Fort Scott National Historic Site, and a street dance.

Several booths featuring food, crafts and other items will be set up downtown throughout Saturday and Sunday.

Good Ol' Days visitors look through the street fair during last year's event. The venders will be out once again on Saturday and Sunday on Main Street between Wall and 3rd. (Submitted photo)

Many activities will be available for kids, including a return appearance by April the Monkey, as well as pony rides, inflatable attractions, a space ball, a train ride, and kid-powered rides.

Aloha Village is also back this year and will be located at the corner of Wall and Main streets on Saturday. Carriage rides will also be available for people of all ages.

Downtown streets will be filled with booths offering food and several other items for sale. There will be many new vendors as well as old favorites. Items that will be available include yard art, framed art, clothing, jewelry, wooden items, decorating items, toys, stickers, air brush tattoos, and many others, according to a news release.

Food vendors will offer snack foods such as funnel cakes, fried Twinkies, popcorn, ice cream, root beer and shaved ice, as well as heartier fare such as barbecue, turkey legs, pizza rolls, tacos, pizza, bison, and others.

For more information, visit the Good Ol' Days website at www.fortscottgoodoldays.com.