The city of Festus will hold several activities to keep local residents entertained over the next month or so.
Some of the events include a concert series, a car cruise and a large flea market. It’s free to attend all the activities, although vendors will be charged to have a space at the flea market.
Concert series
The popular Sundays at Sunset concert series will return on Sept. 10.
The free concerts are held from 6-8 p.m. at Sunset Park, 816 Sunset Park Drive, at the bandstand area.
The city of Festus and the Festus Tourism Commission sponsor the concerts.
Performers for the 2023 concerts include The MOBB (Missouri Big Band, directed by Joe Pappas and featuring vocalist Joe Scalzitti) on Sept. 10, followed by Almost Famous on Sept. 17, the Funky Butt Brass Band on Sept,. 24 and Johnny Henry on Oct. 1.
Barb Lowry, the Festus recreation and tourism director, said the concert series typically draws a good-sized crowd.
“It’s getting bigger every year,” she said. “We get hundreds coming to the Sunset Park bandstand.”
Lowry said concertgoers are encouraged to bring a lawn chair, blanket or something else to sit on, and they may bring their own refreshments.
Ozark Food Pantry (located near the bandstand) will run a free-will donation concession stand.
Lowry said the MOBB has been a frequent performer at the Sundays at Sunset Concert series.
“They’re perennial favorites,” she said. “It’s big band music. They’re based in Jefferson County.”
Almost Famous is making its debut in the Sundays at Sunset concert series.
“They play a little bit of everything, but more rock than country,” Lowry said. “It’s definitely going to be something to get up and dance to. They’re from St. Louis.”
The Funky Butt Brass Band is made up of musicians from Jefferson County and St. Louis.
“On their website they say they are a St. Louis brass, funk and soul band,” Lowry said. “They played in Sundays at Sunset last year. Their drummer, Ron Sikes, is the Jefferson R-7 School District band director.”
Country musician Johnny Henry of St. Louis will close out the 2023 concert series.
“It’s his first time with us. He does covers, but he also has his own music,” Lowry said.
Mayor’s Fall Cruise
The annual Mayor’s Fall Cruise is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 16. There is no charge to participate in the event, also sponsored by the city of Festus and the Festus Tourism Commission.
At the event, people drive vehicles up and down Main Street, and spectators line the streets to watch. People are encouraged to bring lawn chairs to sit and watch the fun.
Festivities begin at 2 p.m. with a casual car show at the Festus Public Library lot, 400 W. Main St. There also is no charge to display vehicles in the show.
“It’s a display-only car show,” Lowry said. “It’s not judged. It’s just for fun.”
A DJ will play music from 2-8 p.m. at the library parking lot, Lowry said.
“Also, we’ll have a couple of food trucks at the library parking lot. We’ve not had that in years past.”
West City Trash `N Treasure Expo
The West City Trash `N Treasure Expo, a large city-sanctioned yard sale or flea market, is slated to return from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, at the Larry G. Crites Memorial Park ballfields parking lot.
The city of Festus runs the event.
The price for those wishing to sell items is $20 per space. Vendors will set up from 6-7:45 a.m.
“It’s a huge yard sale-flea market,” Lowry said. “If you have junk in your house and want to sell it, you can bring it there.”
She said crafters and other vendors will be at the event, too.
“They can’t sell weapons or vehicles, but you can sell vehicle parts. That’s a change, allowing the sale of vehicle parts,” she said.
Lowry said some vendor spaces were still open on Tuesday, but the event has sold out in the past.
“We have about 70 spaces,” Lowry said.
For more information about the event, visit the city of Festus Facebook page or the city’s website at cityoffestus.org.