Planting a seed is an act of faith. A seed, whether of a flower or an idea, seems tiny when planted but it carries huge hidden potential.
Success depends upon the quality of the seed or idea, the tending and protection of it, and ultimately when and how it’s harvested.
Much like a master gardener, the Festus Tourism Commission has become quite adept at cultivating ideas that bring interesting attractions and events to the Twin Cities.
At its root, the tourism commission’s main focus is to attract people to Festus in hopes of supporting local businesses.
“We like to try to help businesses get started and bring new business to the city,” said Rhonda Gerstner, the commission’s vice chairwoman. “Tourism brings people to town.”
The commission’s “help” is funded through a series of tourism grants. The funding source for those grants is a 5 percent hotel-motel tax that is charged when people stay at the city’s hotels or motels.
In May, the commission awarded more than $237,000 in grants. Among the projects funded in the latest round of grants were the expansion of the Lenhard Family Light Show held during the Halloween and Christmas seasons at Larry G. Crites Memorial Park, and financial support for the Taytro’s Twin City Mardi Gras Parade on Feb. 6, 2027, and two productions of Spotlight Community Theatre.
Leader Publications also was a recipient of a tourism grant in that May round. A $2,090 grant was awarded to help fund the Leader Festus Senior Expo on June 24 at the Jefferson County YMCA. More than 700 people from Jefferson County and beyond came into Festus that day for the expo and lingered to shop and dine after the event ended at noon. Among the goals of the expo was attracting visitors to the Twin Cities.
Other Jefferson County communities, such as Arnold and Pevely, also offer similar tourism grant programs. More information about Arnold’s program can be found at arnoldmo.org/government/city-boards-commissions/tourism; information about Pevely’s program can be found at cityofpevelymo.gov/bc-tourism.
We believe there is wisdom in communities reinvesting in events and attractions that attract visitors to their towns and the surrounding areas.
With a seed or an idea, meaningful growth can take time and cannot be rushed, and it requires resources and cultivation. In its early days, a plant spends its first days or weeks developing a root system completely out of sight. But with consistent care and resources, a plant or an idea can thrive in the right environment.
The same can be said of efforts to grow tourism and the business community.
The tourism committee will soon be looking to help plant the next crop of innovative ideas. We encourage the community to step forward to embrace the commission’s goals of strengthening and growing tourism.
The deadline to apply for a grant is noon Oct. 23, and the commission will hold its next pitch meeting Nov. 2. Applications may be obtained at the city of Festus website at festusmo.gov.
On Nov. 9, the commission will discuss who will be awarded grants and how much money they will be awarded.
And if past experience is any indicator, a healthy crop of innovative ideas may be sprouting in Festus in the next year.