Attending the Swingin’ Under the Stars concert, set for this weekend, has become a Mother’s Day tradition for many people, said Festus recreation and tourism director Barb Lowry.
This year’s concert will be held from 6-8 p.m. Sunday, May 11, at Larry G. Crites Memorial Park in Festus, along Old Hwy. A. Admission is free.
The MOBB (Missouri Big Band) will perform on the park’s main stage.
Lowry said the Festus Tourism Commission-sponsored concert has been a good fit for Mother’s Day, with numerous families including it as part of their gatherings for the day.
“A few year’s ago I moved it to Mother’s Day (from the summer),” she said. “I really love it on Mother’s Day. It’s a nice complement to the Mother’s Day weekend.
“It usually draws several hundred. We get a really good crowd. The nicer the weather, the better the crowd.”
The MOBB, under the direction of Joe Pappas and featuring vocalist Joe Scalzitti, has performed the concert each year since the event started except 2020, when the COVID pandemic forced its cancellation, Lowry said.
“It’s big band music,” she said. “The MOBB is very popular and very good at what they do. As is Joe Scalzitti.”
Lowry said no seating is provided, so attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets.
“People can also bring coolers and picnic baskets,” she said.
Lowry said Swingin’ Under the Stars kicks off the 2025 slate of events presented by the city of Festus and the Festus Tourism Commission. The Tourism Commission awarded a $5,550 grant to Lowry on behalf of the city to go toward the event’s expenses.
“This is the city’s first event of the year,” she said. “I’m looking forward to getting this year’s events going with Swingin’ Under the Stars.”
For more information, visit festusmo.gov.