Jefferson County residents will have plenty to “Ooh” and “Aah” about over the next several days.
Numerous fireworks shows are scheduled throughout the county, starting with the St. Pius Fireworks Extravaganza tonight, June 27.
Then two fireworks shows are scheduled for Saturday, including the Arnold Independence Day Celebration and the Twin City Firecracker Festival display.
The First Baptist Church of Arnold will hold its Freedom Celebration on Sunday.
On Thursday, July 4, fireworks displays will be held in De Soto and Hillsboro. Another one will be held on July 4 in Eureka in St. Louis County.
The Big River VFW in Cedar Hill will hold a fireworks show on Saturday, July 6.
Admission is free to all the shows, except for the ones at St. Pius and the De Soto Amvets.
St. Pius Fireworks Extravaganza
The 2024 St. Pius Fireworks Extravaganza is set for tonight on the St. Pius X High School grounds, 1030 St. Pius Drive, in Crystal City.
Gates will open at 6:30 p.m., and activities start at 7 p.m.
Admission costs $20 per vehicle.
The event also includes a performance by the Exit 180 band, barbecue, refreshment stands and food trucks.
Big Shots Fireworks will put on the fireworks display, which is expected to begin at 9:15 p.m.
People may bring coolers.
Independence Day Celebration
Arnold Parks and Recreation Department Deputy Director Ajsa Hukic said the city is hopeful it will be able to hold its Independence Day celebration this year, which is set for 5-11 p.m. Saturday at Arnold City Park on Bradley Beach Road off Jeffco Boulevard near the Meramec River.
Last year, the city had to cancel the celebration because strong winds caused damage throughout the area. In 2022, severe weather forced the city to cancel the event.
“We haven’t had it in the last couple of years, and we are hoping the weather plays out for us, and we are able to hold it,” Hukic said.
The fireworks display is scheduled to begin at about 9:30 p.m.
The city is paying Gateway Pyrotechnic Productions $50,000 to put on the fireworks show, which is expected to last about 20 minutes, Parks and Recreation Department Director Dave Crutchley said.
Joe Dirt and the Dirty Boys are scheduled to perform at the event, from 7-11 p.m.
Other festivities include free trackless train rides for children from 5:30-9:30 p.m.; a hot dog-eating contest for people 18 and older at about 6:15 p.m., and a three-legged race and balloon toss competition for participants of all ages starting at about 6:40 p.m.
Those who want to participate in the contests should register at the bandstand. It is free to enter any of the events.
A face painter and balloon artist also will be on hand from 5:30-9:30 p.m, and fees will be charged for those two activities.
Hukic said food trucks from area establishments will be selling goodies, and the Arnold Jaycees, a nonprofit civic group, will operate a beer tent and snow cone stand.
She said an ATM will be available in the park, but people are encouraged to bring money.
Hukic also said those attending may bring in food and beverages, but glass bottles are not allowed.
“I think (the events) is something awesome we can bring to Arnold,” Hukic said. “There are so many free things for families to enjoy.”
More information about the event and a map of the grounds will be posted on the Arnold Parks and Recreation Facebook page.
Freedom Celebration
The First Baptist Church of Arnold, 2012 Missouri State Road, will hold its annual Freedom Celebration on Sunday. Admission is free.
Amber Hempen, First Baptist’s communications director, said the church’s parking lot will open at 8:45 p.m., and the fireworks display is scheduled to start at about 9:30 p.m.
She said about 400 vehicles typically fill the church’s B, J and H parking lots.
Hempen encourages attendees to bring lawn chairs to enjoy the show from the grassy areas on the campus.
“The (parking) spots fill up very fast,” Hempen said. “We will have a parking team directing people where to go. There also are people who walk to the campus with their chairs.”
Attendees may tune radios to 89.9 FM for music synced to the display.
Hempen said the church also will place speakers outside so people may listen to the broadcast.
“There will be a prerecorded message from our pastor (Kenny Qualls), and that will take us into the fireworks show that is timed to different songs,” Hempen said.
She said the entire show will last about 30 minutes with the fireworks display lasting about 20 minutes.
“We are constantly impressed by the number of people who come every year,” Hempen said. “I would say it is one of the best shows. It is a great gift that we are able to give to our community.”
Twin City Firecracker Festival
The 2024 Twin City Firecracker Festival, set for Friday and Saturday at Larry G. Crites Memorial Park in Festus, will finish with a bang.
A fireworks display is scheduled to start at about 10 p.m. Saturday, at the park along Old Hwy. A.
It’s free to attend the festival and to watch the fireworks display.
Festival sponsors include the cities of Festus and Crystal City, the Festus Park Board and the Festus Tourism Commission.
The Starfire Corporation was hired to put on the fireworks display, which will begin shortly after the festival’s featured Saturday musical act – country music star Rodney Atkins – finishes his performance, said Josh Whaley, the Festus parks director.
“Typically, the band shuts down at 10, and we start the fireworks a few minutes later,” Whaley said. “We’re spending $30,000 on the fireworks.
“Starfire will shoot the fireworks from a grassy space near the baseball fields on the south side of the park. You can see it from the stage field, where most people will be, but pretty much from anywhere in the park.”
Whaley said the fireworks display will last about 20 minutes.
This is the 35th version of the festival.
Another highlight should be Atkins’ concert, which organizers believe will draw a big crowd.
The Atkins show is expected to begin at 8:30 p.m. Saturday on the big stage in the park.
Atkins is known for the hits “If You’re Going Through Hell (Before the Devil Even Knows),” “Take a Back Road” and “Caught Up in the Country.”
“He’s a name in country music,” said Barb Lowry, the Festus recreation and tourism director. “He’s got six No. 1 records and many other top 10 songs. A lot of people will come to see Rodney.”
The 2023 Firecracker Festival drew an estimated 20,000 people over the two days, she said.
“I expect more this year, with Rodney,” Lowry said.
Other performances are scheduled including Superjam, a St. Louis-based classic rock band from 7-10 p.m. Friday; and Borderline, a country band, from 6-8 p.m. Saturday.
With such a large crowd anticipated this time around, organizers will offer free rides back and forth from parking areas to the festival area, Lowry said.
“We’re going to rent some golf carts to help shuttle people from the back field (on the north end of the park) to the stage field,” Lowry said. “There is no cost for the golf cart rides. (The golf cart drivers) will just be out there for people to catch. We’ve not done this before. We’re going to ask for some patience while we figure it out on the fly.”
Plenty of vendors will be on hand selling food and other items.
“The vendor slots are sold out,” Lowry said. “We’ve got about 40 arts and crafts vendors and another 20 food vendors.”
Carnival rides will operate from 4-11 p.m. Friday and 2-11 p.m. Saturday. The cost is $1.25 per ticket or 22 tickets for $20.
Lowry said a vehicle show will return to the festival after a hiatus the past few years. The Festus R-6 School Foundation is sponsoring the Firecracker Festival Car Show, which will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot by the ballfields. It will cost $20 to enter a vehicle in the show, and plaques will be awarded to winners in several categories.
For more information, visit the Festus R-6 Foundation page on Facebook or call Kevin Pope at 636-638-2004.
Once again, free fishing derbies will be offered Saturday morning at Al Brown Lake in the park. The Kids’ Hooked on Fishing Derby (for children 2 to 14) runs from 8-10 a.m., and the Seniors’ Fishing Derby (for those 55 and older) is from 10 a.m. to noon. Participants are eligible for attendance prizes at both fishing derbies.
No pets or coolers are allowed at the event.
For more information, visit the Twin City Firecracker Festival Facebook page.
De Soto’s celebration
Both the De Soto Chamber of Commerce and the De Soto Amvets will hold Independence Day activities on Thursday, July 4.
■ The De Soto Chamber of Commerce will kick off its celebration with the 96th annual parade, which will begin at 10 a.m. Lineup is at 8:30 a.m. near Main Street and Fountain City Road. The parade route will go south on Main Street, west on St. Louis Street and end at the De Soto School District’s JC Culwell Stadium.
The cost to enter a float is $15 and the deadline is today, June 27. Last year, there were at least 100 entries in the parade.
This year is the first time the De Soto Chamber of Commerce raised funds for and organized the city’s fireworks display, which is set for dusk at the baseball fields behind De Soto High School.
No admission is charged to attend the event.
Last year, the Lions Club announced it was handing over the fireworks event.
Sarah Greenlee, the chamber’s office coordinator, said the chamber’s goal has been to raise $20,000 for fireworks.
Fireworks Committee Chairperson Rick Pirtle said 100 percent of the donations go toward the fireworks extravaganza. He said people may donate any amount or adopt a firework: grand finale, $5,000; Strobing Thunder, $2,000; Pink Peonie, $1,000; Whistling Dragon, $500; Sonic Boom, $250; or Golden Sparkler, $100.
Donors may pay with Venmo or Square card or with cash and checks made out to the First State Community Bank Chamber Fireworks account. For more information, call the De Soto Chamber of Commerce at 636-586-5591 or email desotomo_chamber@yahoo.com.
In addition to chamber activities, the De Soto Farmer’s Market will open from 9 a.m. to noon on July 4.
■ Amvets Post 48, at 1075 Amvets Drive, will hold a summer festival on July 4.
Amvets will charge $5 for parking for the evening festivities.
The post will sell barbecue pork steak plates immediately after the parade; and starting at 4 p.m. there will be hot dogs, hamburgers and funnel cakes for sale and a Biergarten.
Hillsboro
The Hillsboro Community Civic Club will hold a free fireworks display on Thursday, July 4, at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 10349 Business 21, in Hillsboro.
Gates open at 6 p.m., and the fireworks show is expected to start at dusk.
Admission and parking are free.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair, blanket or something else to sit on.
“There is so much room for folks to come and spread out to watch the show,” event chairperson Tina Shulack said.
DJ music and face painting will be included, and vendors will sell food and beverages, but no alcohol, she said.
People may bring outside food and alcohol to the event. However, no pets or firearms are allowed, Shulack said.
“Every year we have a bigger and bigger show, and it just gets better every year,” Shulack said.
Eureka
The city of Eureka will hold its annual Independence Day celebration and fireworks show from 6-10 p.m. Thursday, July 4, at the Spur, 394 S. Central Ave.
The Tailgators, a dance and rock band with a few local Eureka members, is scheduled to play throughout the event, which also will feature food and drink vendors, said Lizzie Roberds, Parks and Recreation Department supervisor.
She said the fireworks show is scheduled to start at about 9:15 p.m., and the display will last 17 minutes.
Roberds said the city will pay about $20,000 for the show, which will be synced to music.
In addition, Play9 Sports will hold a baseball tournament at Lions and Legion parks July 4-7.
“There is a Play9 baseball tournament happening that night as well, which we’re very excited to see people playing on those ballfields – whereas last year it was all just construction,” she said.
Roberds said food and beverage vendors will be on hand, like Theo’s Gyros, serving Greek fair; Dulce’s Homemade, serving desserts; and Kernel’s Kettle Corn, serving kettle corn, hotdogs, hamburgers, and freshly squeezed lemonade.
Attendees may bring outside food and beverages, but glass bottles are not allowed.
Roberds recommends people bring blankets and chairs to sit on while they watch the fireworks display.
She said attendees are encouraged to leave their pets at home.
Parking will be available along Central Avenue and Geggie Elementary, 430 Bald Hill Road.
Parking at Lions and Legion parks is also available.
Cedar Hill
Big River VFW Post 5331 at 1 Lynn Lane in Cedar Hill will hold a free fireworks display on Saturday, July 6.
Festivities will include music, food, beverages and fireworks.
The event will kick off at 2 p.m. and will go on until dark.
Dave Cook, formerly with the Dogtown Players, will perform from 4 p.m. to dark. Cook will play old rock, southern rock and updated country music.
The fireworks display begins at dusk and will last between 20 and 30 minutes.
Eva Maloney, the post’s senior vice commander, said she is expecting a “spectacular show, as always.”
Spectators may not bring in outside alcohol, but they may bring in snacks.
Barbecue, baked beans and coleslaw will be sold. In addition, beer will be sold in the pavilion and will include a selection of Budweiser, Miller and Stag products. Patrons also may buy mixed drinks in the club room.
Only cash will be accepted, but an ATM will be on site.
Maloney recommends attendees bring lawn chairs or blankets to the event.
She said people should come “to celebrate the Fourth of July and to show their love for their country.”