Good Ol' Days staff accepting applications for Fort Scott Idol

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Area performers will need to start warming up their vocal cords for an upcoming talent contest that will kick off the 27th annual Good Ol' Days Celebration June 4-8, in downtown Fort Scott.

The 3rd Annual Fort Scott Idol contest, a popular local singing competition based on the successful "American Idol" television program, is scheduled to take place at 6 p.m. June 5, at Memorial Hall, 1 E. Third St.

Performers in the region can now submit applications for the contest, which was attended by nearly 700 people last year, an increase of nearly 200 people from the previous year.

"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 be able to enter in one of three age categories; 4-10, 11-17, and 18 and older. The participants will each perform one song during the Thursday evening competition. The winners from each age category will be invited to perform on the stage at the corner of First and Main streets on the evening of Friday, June 6, following the Good Ol' Days parade, a statement from the Good Ol' Days Steering Committee said.

Other events planned for the Good Ol' Days celebration on June 7-8 include a carnival that will include various children's rides and games; a street fair; a wiener dog costume contest and race; the second annual Kiss the Pig contest; a railroad exhibit; tents and stages that will feature a variety of music and other live entertainment; re-enactments at FSNHS; and several booths that will feature an assortment of food and beverages, as well as unique arts and crafts items.

Last year's weekend festival was attended by more than 9,000 people, even after persistent rainstorms drenched participants and spectators at the festival's annual Friday parade. Sunny skies greeted attendees on Saturday and Sunday last year.

Overall attendance at the festival was up last year from 8,504 people in 2006, and 5,397 people in 2005. About 900 people enjoyed chicken dinners during the festival, and 16 teams competed in the annual Fort Scott Barbecue Championship.

A schedule of events for the Good Ol' Days celebration is now available at the Country Cupboard, the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, the Fort Scott National Historic Site, and several other locations in town. The schedule may also be viewed online at http://www.fortscottgoodoldays.com.

Applications for the Fort Scott Idol contest are available at Country Cupboard, 12 N. Main St., and also on the Good Ol' Days Website. The deadline to submit an application is May 22.

Weekend admission wristbands to the Good Ol' Days celebration, as well as tickets for the chicken dinner and the Fort Scott Idol contest, are currently on sale at Country Cupboard, and can be purchased by visiting the shop or by calling (620) 223-5980.

Wristbands cost $3 for adults, and $1 for children 6 to 12 years of age. Children who are 5 years of age and younger will be admitted free of charge. Fort Scott Idol tickets cost $3 each, and tickets for the chicken dinner, which includes two sides, bread and chicken, are $6 each.