The city of Festus has a packed calendar of events this year, with a wide variety of festivals and other activities planned to keep local residents entertained, said Barb Lowry, the city’s recreation and tourism director.
The slate of events will either be put on by the city or held under the city’s auspices.
“I feel there’s something for everyone,” Lowry said.
She praised one activity that already was held in the city this year, the first-ever Twin City Mardi Gras Parade on March 1 that was organized by Luke Tetrault, whose family owns Taytro’s Bar and Bistro and Petit Paree Restaurant and Lounge, both in Festus.
“The parade was a new event partially sponsored by the Festus Tourism Commission,” she said. “I would say all the businesses along Main Street were pleased with the size of the crowds.”
Other activities to take place in Festus, most of them at least partially sponsored through Festus Tourism Commission grants, are listed below.
■ April 26, Sigurblot Viking Festival. An annual Viking-themed event held behind Four Brothers Meadery, 124 E. Main St. The Meadery sponsors the city-sanctioned event.
■ May 4, Art Walk on Main Street. An art event held along Festus Main Street that includes live music. The Festus Main Street Association (formerly the Historic Tanglefoot Association) sponsors the city-sanctioned event.
■ May 5, the start of Food Truck Mondays held at lunchtime at the Festus Public Library parking lot, 400 W. Main St., with Picture Perfect Panini. Kanoa’s Hawaiian Grill is scheduled for June 2; Messy Betties Smash Burgers, July 7; Dynasty Manna, Aug. 4; Stop N Go Taqueria, Sept. 8; Karl’s Kitchen, Oct. 6; and Rolling Dumpling Pot, Nov. 3.
“They are usually held the first Monday of each month unless there is a holiday, like Labor Day in September,” Lowry said.
■ May 11, Swingin’ Under the Stars, 6 p.m. The MOBB (Missouri Big Band) featuring vocalist Joe Scalzitti once again will be featured at the free event that the city of Festus puts on at Larry G. Crites Memorial Park along Old Hwy. A.
“It’s a popular event,” Lowry said. “I think it’s a good fit for Mother’s Day.”
■ May 15-18, Relaxin’ in the Park car show at Crites Park. A private, city-sanctioned event.
“It’s a fundraising car show,” Lowry said.
■ June 7, Mayor’s Summer Cruise along Main Street. The city sponsors the event, which starts with a car show at 2 p.m. at the Festus Public Library parking lot and cruising officially starting at 6 p.m.
“We’ve seen participation stay at a high level,” Lowry said. “Like other events, the weather affects participation.”
■ June 27-28, Twin City Firecracker Festival at Crites Park. The two-day event sponsored by the cities of Festus and Crystal City features carnival rides, games, live music, fireworks and more, Lowry said.
“Something new will be arm bands for the rides on the Friday (June 27) only,” she said. “The price for the arm bands is $30 and may be used from 5-11 p.m. that night. We’ve never had this before.”
She said one live musical act has been signed.
“The Jonathan Braddy Band opens on (June 28),” she said. “The other acts are still to be determined.”
■ Movies Under the Stars at Crites Park. The city event screens free family-friendly films at Crites Park, with the movies starting at approximately 8:45 p.m. on Saturdays in the summer.
Films lined up for the series include “Wonka,” July 12; “Wicked,” July 26; “Moana 2,” Aug. 9.
■ Aug. 10, Bottleneck Bridge Ride, an annual bike ride starting in the morning on Festus Main Street with routes taking cyclists various distances around southern Jefferson County. Trailnet (a St. Louis-area group that advocates for better walking, riding and transit), the Festus Tourism Commission, the city of Festus and the Jefferson County Growth Association work together to put on the event.
An all-start for the ride takes place at 8 a.m. on Festus Main Street.
■ Sept. 4-6, Twin City Days at various locations in Festus and Crystal City. The Twin City Area Chamber of Commerce sponsors the event, which includes live music, arts and crafts, food booths and many other activities.
■ Sept. 13, Worship in the Park at Crites Park. A city-sanctioned private event.
“They reserve the stage,” Lowry said.
■ Sept. 20, Mayor’s Fall Cruise, a city-sponsored event, with a car show at 2 p.m. at the Festus Public Library parking lot and cruising on Main Street officially starting at 6 p.m.
■ Sept. 20 and Oct. 18: Festus High School cross country meets at Crites Park.
“The day of the cross country meets, the park is closed to public vehicles until 2 p.m. for the safety of the runners and the spectators,” Lowry said.
■ September, Sundays at Sunset free concert series at Sunset Park along Parkview Drive. The city-sponsored concerts include Crossroads, Sept. 7; The MOBB, Sept. 14; Dear Darla, Sept. 21; The Funky Butt Brass Band, Sept. 28.
■ Sept. 27-28, George Portz Traditional Music Festival at Crites Park. The private, city-sanctioned event brings in a variety of musical acts.
■ Oct. 4, West City Trash & Treasure Expo at Crites Park.
“It’s kind of a flea market,” Lowry said. “It was named by Larry Crites (the late Festus parks director) and I haven’t had the heart to change the name. We usually rent out 70 to 75 spaces.”
■ Oct. 4, Viking Festival organized by and held behind Four Brothers Meadery, 124 E. Main St.
■ Oct. 4, Cruisin’ for a Cause Car Show at Crites Park. A private, city-sanctioned event to raise funds for the Ozark Food Pantry.
■ Oct. 11, Main & Mill StreetFest, an all-day, live music festival on Festus Main Street.
■ October and December, the Lenhard Family Light Show for Halloween and the Lenhard Family Light Show for Christmas. The family puts on elaborate light shows at Crites Park with help from the city of Festus.
■ Oct. 25, Trick or Treat Spooktacular along Main Street in Festus and Bailey Road in Crystal City. Kiddies in costume receive treats from participating businesses and organizations during the Twin City Area Chamber of Commerce event.
■ Nov. 1, Camp Crites at Crites Park. The free, family-oriented event is sponsored by the city and held in the evening.
“We’ve got hayrides and yard-sized games, like cornhole,” Lowry said. “It’s just a nice family-friendly event at the park.”
■ Nov. 1, Ladies Night Out. The shopping-oriented event along Main Street in Festus and Bailey Road in Crystal City is sponsored by the Festus Main Street Association.
■ Dec. 1, Twin City Area Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade along Main Street in Festus and Bailey Road in Crystal City.
■ Dec. 6, WinterFest. An annual city event offering free or low-cost activities, including an artificial ice skating rink on the Festus Public Library parking lot. Lowry said people should look for the return of popular events from prior WinterFests.
“It should be the same kind of fun we’ve had before,” she said.
■ Dec. 6, Santa sets up shop from noon to 6 p.m. in the Santa House in Schneider Park for the first time of the season during WinterFest. He will also visit with children to hear their Christmas wishes at the Santa House from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 9-12; Dec. 16-19; and from noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 13 and 20. Lowry said Santa’s Mail Box will be placed next to Santa’s House where youngsters may place letters to Santa.
“People put letters in the box, and Santa will read them in videos posted on the YouTube channel,” she said.
Lowry said the city had hoped to hold a “snow bomb” event early in 2025, but will need to wait until 2026.
The Tourism Commission awarded Lowry a $2,650 grant in November to hold a snow bomb event to allow for sledding on artificially generated snow. The catch is the city needs temperatures to drop to 25 degrees or below for several days and those days need to start on a Wednesday or Thursday leading up to the weekend, but no such stretch of cold weather happened early this year, Lowry said.
“It’s 100-percent contingent on conditions. We will put it on our website and other social media if it can happen. It may not happen. If it does, it will be at Jokerst (Memorial Park along South Mill Street).”
For more information, visit the city of Festus page on Facebook or go to the city’s website at festusmo.gov and hit the “Around Town” button.