Eureka Days is stepping back in time for the city’s annual celebration.
Lizzie Roberds, Eureka Parks and Recreation Department supervisor, said the three-day festival will have a medieval theme this year. Eureka Days will be held from 5-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday at Legion and Lions parks, which are located across from each other on Bald Hill Road.
Roberds said the Eureka Days Parade will be a good way for the community to get creative with this year’s theme. The parade will start at 11 a.m. Saturday at the intersection of Central Avenue and Third Street, traveling south on Central Avenue and finishing at the Spur near Hwy. 109.
She said more than 50 organizations, businesses, school groups and churches have signed up to either walk or ride on a float in the parade. Miss Missouri’s Teen Greta Clark, a Eureka native, will be the grand marshal.
“I would love to see some knights in shining armor and princesses and all of that,” Roberds said of the parade. “If anybody is feeling extra creative, I’d love to see a castle float. I know this year, Brookdale Farms is coming back with horses and is planning on putting a carriage in the parade, so that should be fun. The local elementary schools also usually come up with really creative ideas.”
The parade is sponsored by Silver Spoon Ice Cream. Each float will be judged based on creativity and how it represents the medieval theme. The first-place winner will receive $400; second place will receive $200; and third place gets $100.
The city is providing a bus shuttle from Blevins Elementary School, 25 East North St., to the parade lineup area for those participating in the parade. Roberds said participants may park at the school and take the shuttle to and from the parade.
Eureka Days also will feature carnival rides, a beer garden, vendors, live music, rock climbing and children’s activities, Roberds said.
She said about 70 vendors have signed up for the festival, which is more than last year.
“Last year was the first year we were on the new full parking lot at Legions Park,” Roberds said. “We weren’t entirely sure how everything was going to work out. Seeing that, we were able to say, ‘Oh yeah, we actually can put more vendors on that side without being overwhelmed.’”
Artisan vendors include Flowers by Jill, Chaos Creations, Cora & Viola Boutique, Prints Charming and Top KNOTch by Natalie.
Food vendors will include Singers Ice Cream, The Kernel’s Kettle Corn, Brown Jerry’s BBQ, Cosmic Donut Co., ButterCream Dreams by Carly and The Fizz Factory.
Some businesses and organizations expected to set up booths include St. Luke’s Walk-In Clinic, Clarkson Eye Care, the Endangered Wolf Center and Bass Pro Shops.
“As always, we’re looking forward to everyone coming out and having a great time,” Roberds said. “If you come for all of it, that’s great. If you come for one little part of it, that’s also great. We’re happy to see you whenever we can.”
Attractions
American Banner Amusements again will operate carnival rides over the three-day festival in the parking lot of the Community Center, 333 Bald Hill Road, in Legion Park. There will be 10 to 15 rides, Roberds said.
Single-ride tickets cost $1 and 24 tickets may be purchased for $10.
Roberds said on Sunday, unlimited-ride wristbands may be purchased for $20 each. She said the wristbands are replacing the $1 ride special that had previously been held on the last day of the event.
Also new this year is a free rock climbing wall, provided by Upper Limits of Maryland Heights. The portable wall with climbing handholds will be set up from 1-9 p.m. Saturday in the Legion Park south parking lot.
Roberds said climbers will need to sign a waiver, and children will need to be accompanied by an adult.
“We’re excited to have them out,” she said.
An adult coed kickball tournament will be held at 6 p.m. Friday at Lions Park’s Fields 1 and 2. Teams will play 30-minute games or four innings, whichever comes first, according to the city’s website. The winning team will receive T-shirts.
Music acts
Bands are scheduled to perform on the main stage and at the bar and beer garden. The Eureka-Pacific Elks and Eureka Lions will serve draft beers all weekend at the garden in Legion Park. Red Door Liquor & Cigars will serve mixed drinks on Friday and Saturday.
Common Ground will perform from 6-10 p.m. Friday on the main stage. The band plays covers of classic rock hits, Roberds said.
“Honestly, as the person who books the bands, I’m looking forward to all the music,” she said. “(Common Ground) plays Friday night, and they play some classic rock hits, all the way back to the `60s and `70s, up to some of today’s hits. A lot of them are local to Eureka, which is really nice, too.”
Steven Woolley will play from 1-4 p.m. Saturday at the beer garden. The folk and indie rock artist has original songs such as “Girl on the Run,” “Unbreak My Heart” and “Who You Were Back Then” from his latest album release, “Memories and Other Bad Habits.”
“We were able to snag Steven Woolley,” Roberds said. “I really enjoy listening to him, and I thought he would be perfect for a show in the beer garden.”
The McLovin band performs from 6-10 p.m. Saturday on the main stage. McLovin is “St. Louis’ premier dance and rock party band,” according to its website.
“They do a little bit of everything, Neil Diamond to Nelly,” Roberds said.
McLovin will take a brief break at 9 p.m. for a fireworks show put on by J&M Displays of Dittmer.
The show will cost the city $10,000, and it will last about 10 to12 minutes, Roberds said.
“We’re trying to stick with the medieval theme, and our fireworks company found a genre called ‘bard core,’ and it’s medieval covers of pop songs,” she said. “It’s interesting, and I can’t wait.”
Dukes of Monte Carlo will play from noon to 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the beer garden. Dukes of Monte Carlo is a “high-energy, crowd-moving and unforgettable band,” according to its Facebook page.
“They’ve played in the beer garden before,” Roberds said. “They do a lot of different genres, and they’ve always been really good at reading the room and seeing what’s hitting with the audience.”
The Heydays will play from 2-6 p.m. Sunday at the main stage. The group plays pop, rock and country music covers from the 1990s and 2000s.
“We’ve never had them out before, but I’ve heard great things,” Roberds said.
Parking
Public parking will not be allowed within Lions and Legion parks during the festival. Parking will be available at the Spur at 394 Central Ave., The River Church at 215 North Central Ave., The Timbers at 1 Coffey Park Lane and public parking areas.
Golf carts are not permitted on the fairgrounds. Limited handicap parking is available at Geggie Elementary School, 430 Bald Hill Road, and a golf cart will be available to shuttle those needing assistance to the fairgrounds.
Other events
■ Knockerball is available from 6-11 p.m. Friday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday at Legion Park’s Field 4. Participants may play knocker soccer, musical chairs, king of the ring and capture the flag in a protective ball of air with inner handles and shoulder straps, according to the city’s website.
■ Kid’s Korner is open from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday in the Legion Park south parking lot, and some of the groups providing activities for children include Circus Kaput, Dream Time Princess Events, the Missouri Department of Conservation and Texas Roadhouse.
“The River Church is doing their bounce house again, and we will have a prince and princess from Dream Time Princess Events,” Roberds said. “Texas Roadhouse is doing a pumpkin bucket toss.”
■ The seventh annual Chicken Wing Eating Contest will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Legion Park main stage. Wings are donated by Poor Richards. Jeff Fitter from Papa’s Diner and Super Smokers and Pat Feder from Comprehensive Chiropractic will emcee the competition. Winner receives a trophy. Registration will be on-site with a maximum of 15 participants.
■ A stein-holding competition will be held after the wing-eating contest at the main stage, Roberds said. The event was first held in 2023, at the Oktoberfest-themed Eureka Days and is making a comeback this year. Contestants will be challenged to hold a 44-ounce glass beer stein filled with water straight out in front of them. Whoever holds the stein level the longest wins an engraved stein.
“The last time we did it, it was a huge hit,” Roberds said.
■ The cornhole tournament is at 1 p.m. Sunday at Legion Park field 7. Registration begins at noon. $20 per team. The top three teams win trophy boards. House bags only.