Food will be a main attraction at the annual three-day Twin City Days festival to be held Thursday, Sept. 8, through Saturday, Sept. 10, at various locations around Crystal City and Festus.
In addition to a variety of foods, from gourmet dishes to quick snacks, the celebration, organized by the Twin City Area Chamber of Commerce, will be stacked with fun activities for toddlers to senior citizens.
New this year is a bowling tournament for adults, a free dessert event for seniors, an evening wine tasting, a free quick-start breakfast and a food truck experience.
The fun kicks off with the traditional Twin City Days breakfast, set for 7:30 a.m. Thursday in the pavilion at West City Park in Festus, and the festival closes Saturday night with a concert by That 80s Band, set for 7 p.m. on the new main stage at West City Park in Festus.
Festivalgoers from tiny to tall can vie for glory and prizes in contests like a trivia tournament, talent contest, baby crawling race, scavenger hunt or even a ravioli-eating contest.
Those who want to channel their inner Olympian can take part in athletic activities ranging from the laid-back bike ride to the highly competitive washers tournament, with perhaps a game or two of pickleball thrown in for good measure.
Craft vendors will offer an array of items for sale, while the beer fest will showcase many local craft and specialty beers.
Little ones may watch a movie, play on giant inflatables and dig for treasure in a money pit.
Celebrate the spirit of neighborliness at the Cobblestone Festival, an old-fashioned street party. And, of course, it’s always fun to take a stroll down memory lane at the classic car and tractor show.
A rundown of events follows:
For more information, contact the Twin City Area Chamber of Commerce at 636-931-7697 or go to www.twincity.org.
Thursday, Sept. 8
Twin City Days Breakfast
Time: 7:30 a.m.
Place: West City Park, Ballpark Pavilion, Sunshine Drive, Festus.
Cost: Free.
Food provided by: Bob Evans Restaurant.
Organized by: Twin City Area Chamber of Commerce.
Festus Mayor Mike Cage and Crystal City Mayor Tom Schilly will head teams of racers in the Mayors’ Challenge Tricycle Relay, a bragging rights contest following the meal. The mayors will be team captains but will not ride.
Contact: Twin City Area Chamber of Commerce at 636-931-7697 or claudia.kirn@sbcglobal.net.
Seniors in the Park
Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Place: West City Park, Ballpark Pavilion, Sunshine Drive. Festus.
Cost: Free.
Those age 50 and up are invited to come out for an afternoon of fun. Free bingo offered for fun and prizes. Food and beverages provided. Music will be provided by Marg Jackson and Friends.
Organized by: First State Community Bank.
Contact: 636-931-2265 or kschnur@fscb.com.
Twin City Trivia
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Place: Festus High School cafeteria, 501 Westwind Drive.
Cost: $10 per player, up to eight players per team. Snacks will be provided and beverages will be available for purchase, with proceeds going to the Festus Band Boosters. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three teams and attendance prizes given out throughout the night. Players may bring their own food or drink, but alcohol and tobacco are not allowed on the campus. Advance registration is encouraged, but teams will also be accepted at the door. Individual players are welcome and will be placed on a team.
Organized by: Leader Publications.
Contact: the Leader at 636-931-7560 or Nvrweakly@aol.com.
Twin City’s Got Talent
Time: 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Place: Festus-Crystal City Elks Lodge, 4 Elks Acres, Crystal City.
Cost: $5 for spectators. No entry/admission fee for performers.
Local performers compete for cash prizes in front of a panel of local judges, including Chris Hagan and Mark Trautwein. First prize is $100, second is $50 and third is $25. Proceeds from the event go to the Festus-Crystal City Rotary Club to help fund its local projects.
Organized by: Festus-Crystal City Rotary.
Contact: Kirk Jackson at kajakmus@msn.com.
Friday, Sept. 9
Four-Player Golf Scramble
Time: 7:30 a.m. morning flight and 1 p.m. afternoon flight.
Place: Castle Ridge Golf Course on Hwy. 61, south of Festus.
Cost: $500 per team, includes meal and prizes.
This event is sold out.
Organized by: Twin City Area Chamber of Commerce.
Contact: Tonda at 636-933-2020 or tonda.breeze@bloomsdalebank.com.
Book Sale
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Also 9 a.m. – noon Saturday)
Place: Festus Public Library, 400 West Main.
Organized by: Friends of the Festus Public Library. All proceeds go to the library to fund various programs it offers.
Contact: Festus Public Library at 636-937-2017 or email library@cityoffestus.org.
Dearest Desserts
Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., while supplies last
Place: Mid-East Area Agency on Aging Senior Center, 221 Bailey Road, Crystal City.
Cost: Free.
Volunteers in period dress will serve desserts of that time period to senior citizens.
Organized by: Scenic Nursing and Rehabilitation in Herculaneum.
Contact: Cindy at 314-440-6154 or 61ceckelkamp@tarahc.com.
Free Kids Bowling
Time: 3:30-6 p.m.
Place: Quonset Lanes. 2004 N. Truman Blvd., Crystal City.
Cost: Free.
One free game (including shoe rental) for kids age 3-10. Bowlers will be divided into age categories, and the high scorer in each will receive a gift card. Pre-registration is not required.
Organized by: Pony Bird Inc.
Contact: Pony Bird at 636-931-5818 or email Linda@ponybird.org.
Wine Tasting with hors d’oeuvres
Time: 5-7 p.m.
Place: Poppy’s Parlor, 2002 N. Truman Blvd, Crystal City
Cost: $10 per person. Limited tickets available; pre-registration is encouraged.
Age 21 and over only.
Organized by: Poppy’s Ristorante
Contact: Poppy’s at 636-937-4774.
Moonlight Bike Ride
Time: 6 p.m.
Place: Meet at the gazebo at West City Park, Sunshine Drive, Festus.
Cost: Free.
Riders of all ages are invited to take a three-mile route beginning and ending at the park. A shorter course inside the park will be offered for younger riders. No scooters or skateboards allowed. Helmets are required, and a limited number will be available to lend that day.
Organized by: Team Noah Foundation.
Contact: Call 314-640-2622 or mjohnsonmtb@gmail.com.
Movie in the Park
Time: 8:30 p.m.
Place: Crystal City Park, Park Drive.
Cost: Free.
Come watch the big screen for “Hotel Transylvania 2,” the story of Dracula trying to bring out the monster in his half-human, half-vampire grandson. Stars Adam Sandler, Selena Gomez and Andy Samberg.
Rated PG for “some scary images, action and rude humor.”
Organized by: Twin City Area Chamber of Commerce.
Contact: 636-931-7697 or email Claudia.kirn@sbcglobal.net
Pickleball Tournament
Time: Doubles tournaments 5 p.m.-midnight Friday and Saturday; singles tournament 11 a.m. Sunday.
Place: Jefferson County Family YMCA, 1303 YMCA Drive, Festus
Cost: Entry fee is $25 per person
Friday features men’s and women’s doubles, separated into divisions according to their USPA rating. Saturday will be mixed doubles, also by rating. Sunday is singles play and is open to anybody. Gold, silver, bronze medals will be awarded in each division, and water and snacks will be provided. Deadline for registration is Sept. 1.
Players may register online at ymcastlouis.org/jeffersonco; or pick up a form at the YMCA front desk during regular hours.
Organized by: Jefferson County Family YMCA.
Contact: Nick Davis at 636-931-9622 or email nick.davis@gwrymca.org.
Cobblestone Festival
Time: 7-11 p.m.
Place: The 100 block of Mississippi Avenue in Crystal City.
Cost: Free.
Enjoy an old-fashioned block party, with food, drinks, music and friends. Age 21 and over only. No coolers or outside beverages allowed, and no pets, please. Featured band is local classic rock band The Hound.
Organized by: Crystal Tavern and the Office Bar and Grill.
Contact: Mark Yeida 636-937-1903.
Saturday, Sept. 10
Quick Start Breakfast
Time: 6-8 a.m. (while supplies last)
Place: Crystal Oaks Long Term Care, 1500 Calvary Church Road, off Hwy. 61 south of Festus.
Cost: Free.
Drive-through service of one doughnut and one cup of coffee for each person in the vehicle.
Organized by: Crystal Oaks Long Term Care
Contact: Call 636-933-1483 or email cmorgan@crystaloaks.org
Hooked on Fishing
Time: 8 a.m.
Place: Festus-Crystal City Conservation Club, 2567 Hwy. 61, south of Festus.
Cost: Free for kids under age 16. Adults may help children but may not fish themselves.
Pre-registration is required.
Organized by: Festus-Crystal City Conservation Club.
Contact: Charlie at 636-933-0908 (leave message).
Pancake and Sausage Breakfast
Time: 7-10 a.m. (while supplies last).
Place: First United Methodist Church, 113 Grand Ave., Festus.
Cost: Free will offering will be accepted.
Cooked-to-order pancakes and sausage, with coffee, milk or juice.
Organized by: First United Methodist Church.
Contact: 636-937-6205 or judyz@festusumc.org.
5K Fun Run/Walk
Time: 8 a.m.
Place: Start at Grace Presbyterian Church, 105 Bailey Road, Crystal City.
Cost: Advance registration is $20 for adults, free for children 12 and under. Cost $25 on race day. Only paid registrations receive a T-shirt.
Organized by: Jefferson County Family YMCA.
Contact: 636-931-9622 or email shelly.otec@gwrymca.org.
Arts and Crafts Fair
Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Main Street in Festus.
Cost: Free to attend.
More than 140 booths will feature a wide variety of items for sale by local artists and vendors.
Organized by: Twin City Area Chamber of Commerce.
Contact: 636-931-7697 or email Claudia.kirn@sbcglobal.net.
Children’s ID Kits
Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Main Street in Festus.
Cost: Free.
ID Kits will be handed out by Festus and Crystal City police department personnel free of charge and will have the Twin City Area Chamber of Commerce seal.
Organized by: Crystal City and Festus police departments.
Contact: 636-931-7697.
Downtown Food Court
Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Corner of South Adams and South Second streets in Festus (behind Metro Office).
Come enjoy classic carnival foods such as burgers, dogs, brats, turkey legs, fish and chips, ribbon fries, pork cutlets, caramel apples, kettle corn and shaved ice with many flavors, including some sugar-free.
Tents with seating will provide a place for diners to sit and eat their food, or they’re welcome to stroll and dine.
Organized by: Twin City Area Chamber of Commerce.
Contact: 636-931-7697.
Classic Car Show and Tractor Display
Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Place: Main Street in Festus/Bailey Road in Crystal City.
Cost: $15 per car, tractors free. Spectators free.
No vehicles will be admitted after 8:30 a.m. Manns Restoration in Festus will display a custom 1939 Hudson Six, meticulously restored with a Western sawmill theme.
Organized by: Manns Restoration.
Contact: Call 636-933-7008 or email MikeManns@att.net.
Book Sale
Time: 9 a.m. to noon.
Place: Festus Public Library, 400 West Main.
Organized by: Friends of the Festus Public Library.
Contact: Festus Public Library at 636-937-2017 or email library@cityoffestus.org
Washers Tournament
Time: 9 a.m. registration.
Place: West City Park Main Pavilion, Sunshine Drive, Festus.
Cost: $50 per two-person team, ages 16 and older.
This event is a fundraiser for the Andrew Habsieger Scholarship Fund. Half the proceeds go to the scholarship fund, half is returned as prize money. There will be a silent auction and a 50/50 raffle.
Organized by: Andrew Habsieger Scholarship Foundation.
Contact: John at 314-221-0082 or email johnjacob775@hotmail.com.
Family Games
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Place: First Baptist Church, corner of Bailey Road and Truman Boulevard, Crystal City.
Cost: Free.
Rides, inflatables and face painting will be available, along with free snow cones and cotton candy.
Organized by: First Baptist Church of Festus-Crystal City.
Contact: John at 314-578-7953.
Kids’ Games and Money Pit
Time: 9-11 a.m.
Place: Crystal City Park, Park Drive.
Cost: Free.
Games for children 10 and under. Participants will be divided into several age categories, with prizes awarded in each. Kids win cash in the money pit.
Organized by: Festus-Crystal City Kiwanis Club.
Contact: Ryan at 636-937-7687 or email rvangilder@ozarksfederal.com.
Ice Cream for Breakfast
Time: 10 a.m. to noon.
Place: Holiday Inn Express, 1802 Gamel Cemetery Road, Festus.
Cost: Free with a donation to Give Kids the World, an organization that supports children with life-threatening illnesses.
Organized by: Holiday Inn Express.
Contact: Rhonda at 636-937-7100 or rgerstner@hiexfestus.com.
Dog Show and Contests
Time: 10 a.m.
Place: Crystal City Park, Park Drive.
Cost: Free.
Categories for judging include largest dog; smallest dog; dog-owner look-alikes; best dressed; best trick; and the popular hot dog catch contest, in which longest distance of the toss wins.
Organized by: Pawjama Party Kennels
Contact: 636-224-7505 or www.pawjamapartykennels.com
Baby Crawling Contest
Time: 10 a.m.
Place: Crystal City Park, Park Drive.
Infants, start your motors! Pre-walkers will compete in heats and then in a final race for prizes. Parents may use whatever works to entice baby to crawl, but may not touch or assist their child during the race.
Organized by: Pony Bird Inc.
Contact: Pony Bird at 636-931-5818 or Linda@ponybird.org.
Hot Wheels Races
Time: Registration at 10:30 a.m. and noon.
Place: Twin City Toyota, 301 Autumn Ridge Drive, Herculaneum.
Cost: Entry fee is one canned food item for the Ozark Food Pantry.
Ages 3-7 register at 10:30 a.m. for races at 11 a.m.; ages 8-15 register at noon for races at 12:30 p.m. Limit two cars per entry. Hot dogs, chips and soda provided. Trophies for top three places in each age group; first-place winners also receive two tickets to the Sept. 29 St. Louis Cardinals home baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds.
Organized by: Twin City Toyota.
Contact: Dave at 636-931-0555 or Dave@twincitytoyota.com.
Tanglefoot Brewfest
Time: Noon to 4 p.m.
Place: West City Park, Sunshine Drive, Festus.
Cost: $25 per person in advance, $30 at gate, includes taster’s glass and unlimited samples. Ages 21 and older.
There will be about 50 specialty beers to sample from local breweries such as Main and Mill in Festus; the Russell House in Hillsboro; as well as Minglewood in Cape Girardeau; the Six Mile Bridge Brewery in Maryland Heights; and the Stubborn German in Waterloo, Ill. A barbecue vendor will be on hand with bratwurst and more, to complement the brews.
All proceeds go to purchasing new playground equipment for West City Park. Tickets can be purchased at Festus City Hall, Festus Public Works or online at the group’s Facebook page.
Organized by: Friends of Festus Parks.
Contact: Darin Siefert at 636-937-4694 or tanglefootbrewfest@gmail.com.
Ravioli Eating Contest
Time: 4-7 p.m.
Place: Pasta House, 1606 Galemore Drive, Festus.
Eat the most toasted ravioli in a five-minute period and win a prize. No fee to enter, but those eating fewer than 30 ravioli will be required to make a donation to a local program to feed the needy. First prize is a $200 Pasta House gift certificate; second place gets a $100 gift certificate and third place one for $50.
Contest begins at 4 p.m.; live music featuring local country rock band Steel Wings will continue through 7 p.m. Pre-registration is encouraged to ensure sufficient supplies.
Organized by: Pasta House restaurant.
Contact: 636-725-0300, festuspastahouse@yahoo.com or sign up on the Festus Pasta House Facebook page.
Nine-pin No Tap Bowling Tournament
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Quonset Lanes, 2004 N. Truman Blvd., Crystal City
Cost: $25 per bowler ages 19 and older
Competition will take place in two divisions according to bowling average. Bowlers roll three games; top half goes on to fourth game to determine winners. Cash prizes will be awarded and “strike pot” raffle tickets will be sold.
Organized by: Quonset Lanes
Contact: Angie at 636-937-2118 or p.neff@att.net.
Food Truck Experience
Time: 6-10 p.m.
Place: West City Park, Sunshine Drive, Festus.
The StLouisianaQ, Concessionaire Extraordinaire and Kona Ice trucks as well as some other vendors will be on hand throughout the evening. Some offerings will include barbecue, hot dogs, bratwurst, burgers and caramel apples. Favorites Art and Diana Riegel will have their Kettle Korn popping, and the American Legion will serve pork cutlet sandwiches.
Organized by: Twin City Area Chamber of Commerce.
Contact: 636-931-7697 or email Claudia.kirn@sbcglobal.net.
Concert: That 80s Band concert
Time: 7-11 p.m.
Place: The new main stage at West City Park, Sunshine Drive, Festus.
Cost: Free admission and parking.
Join those lovable, big-haired performers Valerie Girl, Mick Fly, Jon Dohnson, Izzy Furreel and Rod Springfield for an evening of throwback tunes from A-Ha! To ZZ top. There’ll be dancing all night to the sounds of everything from Madonna and the Go-Gos to Bon Jovi, Guns n Roses and Journey. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. No coolers or outside alcohol allowed.
Organized by: Twin City Area Chamber of Commerce.
Contact: 636-931-7697 or email Claudia.kirn@sbcglobal.net.
