Fall Festival to add dog contest

A few years ago, the burning question on everyone's lips was, "Who let the dogs out?"

Although it may not be quite clear exactly "who" let the canines in question "out" and where exactly they went, they could show up to compete in a dog show at the Fall Festival this weekend in downtown Fort Scott.

The day of arts and crafts, food, contests and other entertainment, sponsored by the Downtown Fort Scott Program, a division of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, is scheduled to take place shortly after the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta parade at 10 a.m. Saturday on Skubitz Plaza and in other areas of downtown Fort Scott.

Local and out-of-town vendors will have booths set up for the downtown sidewalk sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The downtown festival is planned by several downtown merchants to draw tourists to Fort Scott and help the local economy, officials said.

Categories for the dog show include shortest legs, ugliest dog, longest tail, best dressed, best tail wagger, most unusual and best stupid pet trick. Dogs must be kept on leashes at all times.

Any dog that exhibits threatening behavior toward people or other animals will be disqualified from the contest, and the owner must remove it from the downtown area, an FSACC statement said.

Dog show organizers anticipate more than 50 dogs in this year's competition, officials said.

Children's activities and games, including a Hula Hoop contest, a bubble gum blowing contest, and various egg games, are scheduled to take place after the dog show.

Registration for the pumpkin decorating contest -- sponsored by Citizens Bank, N.A. -- will be from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday. This contest will have two age categories. Children between 5 and 8 years of age, and youngsters 9 to 12 years of age may enter this contest. There will also be a category for clients at Tri-Valley Developmental Services in Fort Scott. Cash prizes will be given out for the best decorated pumpkins. First place winners will receive $25, second place winners will receive $15, and third place winners will receive $10.

In addition to shopping, festival-goers can enjoy free entertainment at the Citizens Bank Pavilion or take a Happy Trails pony or horse ride at the corner of First and Scott streets. The FSACC Tourism Division will sell biscuits and gravy during a Breakfast on the Bricks event from 8 to 11 a.m. at the pavilion. New this year to the festival will be an open house and tours of the Scottish Rite Temple, 110 S. Main St., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. that day.

Every hour between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday, chamber trolleys will transport passengers free of charge between the Fall Festival downtown events and the 50th annual Pioneer Harvest Fiesta at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds.