Scott City Summerfest kicks off today

Scott City's 37th annual Summerfest is back, starting this evening with carnival rides and ending in fireworks Saturday night at the fairgrounds.

Rides such as a Tilt-a-Whirl and Scramble, along with kiddie rides for youngsters, will be ready and waiting for passengers when the fairgrounds open at 5 p.m. People may buy $15 bracelets beginning at 6 p.m. all three nights for unlimited access to rides.

Families can load up and head over to play games, win prizes and visit various vendors.

Concessions will be stocked and ready to serve everyone's favorite Summerfest food and drinks: McAllister tea, Kiwanis Club hamburgers, funnel cakes, fried Oreos, kettle korn and lemonade shake-ups.

New on the food scene this year is an ice cream vendor with frozen treats, said Phyllis Crump, Scott City parks and recreation director.

Called, the Father's Arm musical group, and Ryan Corn, a member of Scott City First Baptist Church, will perform today beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The Tiny Mr. and Miss and Little Mr. and Miss contests will be Friday. Winners will receive gift bags with goodies from sponsors, gift certificates, crowns and sashes. Scott City-based Band Paragon will perform at 8 p.m. Friday after the contests.

A horseshoe tournament will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday. The junior talent contest for the Heartland Talent Showcase will begin at 5 p.m. The senior division talent contest will follow. The Peak Performance Tae Kwon Do demonstration originally scheduled for Saturday was canceled because too few members were able to attend.

The Chamber of Commerce washers tournament will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday. Pro Sound Dynamixx Entertainment will provide music from 7:30 to 11 p.m. Fireworks will be shot off at 10 p.m. for an explosive ending to Summerfest.

Crump said rain or shine, Summerfest will go on. In the case of rain, entertainment and activities will be moved to a sheltered building on the fairgrounds.

"I'm hoping for good weather and for everyone to come out and have a good time," she said.

Crump said proceeds from this year's Summerfest will go toward constructing a new 18-hole golf course in Scott City Park to be opened later in the summer.

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Scott City, Mo.