The sixth annual Festus Main Street Association Ladies Night looks to bring all the fun and activities as in the past, just on a slightly earlier schedule, said event spokesperson Michelle Hohmeier.
This year’s Ladies Night will be from 2-8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7. Festus Main Street will be closed to vehicle traffic from Mill Street to Brierton Lane for the event, which features shopping, live music and refreshments, Hohmeier said.
The time schedule has been adjusted to be a bit earlier than last year’s event, which took place from 4-9 p.m., she said.
“We were getting comments from ladies saying they had other activities they were going to at night and wished it would have started a little earlier,” said Hohmeier, a member of the Festus Main Street Association and owner of Tree of Life Home, Art & Vintage Market, 101 E. Main St.
She said the event has had staying power because those who have come to it have had a good time.
“I think the ladies like to get out and shop and enjoy being on Main Street,” Hohmeier said. “They enjoy the music and eating at the restaurants.”
About 500 people attended last year’s Ladies Night, Hohmeier said.
In addition to the many Main Street businesses participating with extended Saturday hours, some vendors will set up outside to sell their wares during the event, she said.
“We will have tented vendors from 2-6 p.m. on the west end of Main Street so they can pick up and leave without bothering the activities along the rest of the street,” she said. “We have at least 15 vendors.
“We get great participation from the businesses. Most are open late. They’ll have special raffles or giveaways and discounts. Since it’s daylight hours for much of it, many businesses will have a tent of their merchandise in front of their stores.”
There also will be a couple of food trucks available, she said.
“Kanoa’s Hawaiian Grill and the Hangry Hub will set up at Adams and Main streets,” she said.
Hohmeier said a couple of Main Street businesses west of the blocked off area also will participate.
“PrimeTime Sports Pub (420 W. Main St.) is scheduled to participate, as well as Pedal’n Pi (319 W. Main St.),” she said.
The Guy Clark and the HardChargers band will perform from 4-8 p.m.
“That band has played at Ladies Night at least the last four years,” Hohmeier said. “They play old time rock ’n’ roll, oldies.”
While the event’s name indicates women are the focus of the event, it does not exclude men, Hohmeier said.
“It’s targeted at women, but men are welcome,” she said.
As Ladies Night concludes, the festivities will carry on at Tanglefoot Dance Hall, 201 E. Main St., Hohmeier said.
“Tanglefoot Dance Hall will have a band to continue the party,” she said.
The Festus Tourism Commission awarded an $8,100 grant to the Festus Main Street Association to help put on Ladies Night.
For more information, go to the association’s website at festusmainstreet.org or visit the Festus Main Street Association page on Facebook.