Aldean to appear at concert

Capitol Records Nashville artist Luke Bryan will headline the 2nd Annual Ropin' and Rockin' for Pennies for the Park fundraising event. However, he will not be the only performer.

In a news release from Hilary Abbot, a publicist who works with event host and Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Adam LaRoche, it was announced Tuesday that last year's headliner Jason Aldean will also be making an appearance. According to the release, Aldean stated at his Oct. 29 Springfield, Mo., concert, "I'm crashing the Fort Scott party."

"We have confirmed it," Youth Activities Team Co-convener Clayton Tatro said. "It is legit and at this point we are planning on seeing Jason in Fort Scott."

According to Tatro, Bryan and Aldean are currently touring together and he said the YAT was hoping Bryan would make an announcement about the concert, but got much more.

"We had hoped that Luke would go on stage at the Springfield concert and basically announce the Fort Scott concert," Tatro said. "It totally blew us away.

"We are excited that Jason made the statement publicly because that should help our concert. ... Anybody who was at the concert Friday night has already put it out on Facebook as well."

At this time, Aldean is not expected to perform, Tatro said.

The concert will take place at 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 13 at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds and will be preceded by a rodeo exhibition and afternoon music jamboree.

Opening for Bryan will be Bigger Picture Group recording artist Craig Campbell. Money raised from the event will benefit the Fort Scott Ellis Park project.

Pennies for the Park is a project of the YAT to develop Ellis Park to provide a family-oriented venue for local youth.

Planned improvements call for a miniature golf course, sand volleyball courts, batting cages, a jogging and walking trail, picnic shelters, outside basketball courts and a playground area.

General admission tickets are $26 in advance and $36 at the gate the day of the event. For more information, visit www.yatfortscott.com or call (620) 223-0550.