DockDogs returning as Good Ol' Days headliner

Tuesday, October 25, 2011
One of the dogs in the 2009 DockDogs competition at the Good Ol' Days celebration leaps for a toy thrown by her handler. The DockDogs proved to be a popular attraction and will be returning again for the 2012 festival which will be held May 31-June 2. (Tribune File Photo)

Fort Scott is preparing for its 31st annual Good Ol' Days celebration, set to run from May 31-June 2, 2012.

Festival organizers have shortened the main days to Friday and Saturday only this year.

"We have had low attendance on Sunday for many years," acting chairperson Millie Lipscomb said in a news release. "The craft and food vendors tend to leave early and we have had a lot of feedback from townspeople about the lack of activity downtown on Sunday. So we decided to focus on Saturday as the main day."

Lipscomb added that there will be no change in activities and entertainment includeing a carnival, the wiener dog races, the street fair, grand parade, street dances, the popular Fort Scott Idol contest and other events.

The Good Ol' Days committee includes Lipscomb, Janet Braun, Leah Bowman, Jill Warford, Belynda Davenport, Reed Hartford, Kirk Sharp, Kayla Tinsley, Rhonda Dunn, Bailey Gray, Jody Brillhart, Kelley Collins and Kellye Barrows.

Good Ol' Days comes to life under the direction of this committee and many other volunteers working together to provide a popular event for the citizens of this area. Festival organizers are always open to new ideas and welcome anyone who would like to become involved. If you would like to volunteer, contact Lipscomb at 223-2334.

"We are dedicated to keeping Good Ol' Days vital and alive and we welcome anyone's input."

The popular DockDogs will be the headline event for the 2012 festival. First appearing at Good Ol' Days in 2009, DockDogs is the independent governing and sanctioning body for regional dock jumping performance sport for dogs. Seen on the Outdoor Channel, ESPN, ABC, CBS and other media outlets, DockDogs have gained in popularity the last few years. The purpose of the event is to have your dog jump off a 40-foot dock into a 40-foot long pool filled with 27,000 gallons of water.

The DockDogs schedule will start at 8 p.m., Friday, June 1, and run through Saturday evening, June 2. Competitors will come from all over the area and local dogs are welcome to join in the fun. Anyone can register his or her dog and have a good time. The only requirements are that the handler must be at least 7 years old and the dog must be at least 6 months old.

The Good Ol' Days festival website is fortscottgoodoldays.com. Activities and application forms will be posted on it. The schedule of activities will be posted in April 2012.