New activities, old favorites draw big crowds to annual festival
By Kevin Carbery
Arnold Days organizers said an estimated 20,000 people turned out during the festival held last weekend, despite the cancellation of all the activities on the last day of the event except the annual parade.
“We did get a rainout on (Sept. 22),” said Ajsa Hukic, the Arnold Parks and Recreation Department deputy director. “The rain overnight ruined the festival grounds, and there was no parking.”
The festival was held Sept. 20-22 at Arnold City Park on Bradley Beach Road.
Hukic said the rest of the weekend, including the Arnold Days Parade on Sept. 22, went well.
“On Friday night, we had 5,000 to 8,000,” she said. “On Saturday, we had 15,000.
“The parade happened Sunday. It was great. There were almost 5,000 spectators.”
Parade organizer Karen Fay said the parade included about 45 entries.
“That’s about average,” she said.
Fay said the overall parade winner award went to IBEW Local 2 for its float.
The parade’s theme was “In My Arnold Era,” and many of the parade participants had floats or other entries that represented different eras.
“We played into it in the rest of the festival, as well,” Fay said.
The weekend also featured live music; carnival rides and games; arts and crafts vendors; fireworks and a car show, among other activities.
“Everything went great,” Hukic said. “We had fireworks Friday and Saturday nights from Gateway (Fireworks Displays of St. Louis).”
Hukic said some new features to the festival went over well.
“This year, we got a pro wrestling group (Dynamo Pro Wrestling, with matches Friday and Saturday),” she said. “It was awesome. It was very entertaining. It’s definitely something everybody enjoyed. We’d like to have them back.
“We did another new event, free friendship bracelets. That was popular with kids. And, we had a baby-crawling contest for the first time. We only had nine kids participate, but there was a big crowd watching. We’ll definitely have that again next year.
“We had princess photo appearances. It’s something we brought back, actually. It was popular. It was fun to see little kids dress as their favorite princesses and take pictures with the princesses.”
Hukic said the live music on Sept. 20 and Sept. 21 drew excellent reviews.
“The public raved about Real Rock Revival,” she said. “They play songs from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. They were new to the festival.
“Saturday night, Superjam played. They’ve been here before. They’re just a great band.”
The Arnold Police Officers Association (APOA) and Arnold Kiwanis Club partnered to present the 11th annual Back the Blue Car Show on Sept. 21.
Kevin Wilson, the APOA president, said this year’s car show mushroomed in popularity from the year before.
“This year, we had 292 registrations, which is 130 registrations more than the year before,” he said. “This has been our best year. We made an effort to advertise and we got (car show entrants) from across Missouri and out of state to come to the show. I’d estimate there were 3,000 to 5,000 spectators.”
Wilson said the event raised $18,370 for APOA causes, such as its Shop with a Hero program that provides children in need with gifts at Christimastime.
He said the car show benefited from good weather.
“We got lucky and weren’t affected by rain,” Wilson said.
Hukic said organizers were pleased with this year’s Arnold Days, all things considered.
“I think the public enjoyed the new activities. I believe we had something for every age group,” she said.
Next year’s Arnold Days festival is set for Sept. 19-21, 2025.
Charlie Elking and his grandson, Henry Druffel, 5, of South County with his 300ZX Nissan 1991.
Bill Boehm of Arnold won first place in the category of 1940-1950 cars for his 1956 Chevy.
Keaton Saffa, 7, of Arnold participates in the Arnold Days fishing tournament.
Rayne Heumann, 5, of Barnhart waits for a bite.
Bo Thompson, 11, of Arnold, with a pole, boots and sunglasses, is ready to catch a big one.
Cody Keefe, 5, and his grandma, Jami Anderson of Oakville, ride the Ferris wheel at the Arnold Days carnival.
Maddison Young, 6, and Hanson Hanson of Arnold ride the Ferris wheel at Arnold Days carnival.
Siblings Brantley Mayfield, 6, Mia, 5, and Eva, 2, all from Arnold, received stuffed animals from the Arnold VFW Auxiliary.
Blake Pantano, 8, of Barnhart has chicken strips at the Arnold Days festival.
Frodo the Ghost with Dynamo Pro Wrestling was one of the performers during the event.
Frodo the Ghost on the ropes with his opponent, Quest Parker, running behind.
Juniper Yackly, 9, of Arnold pets a miniature zebu at the Arnold Days petting zoo.
Cody Dobbs of Barnhart and his son, Conner, 4, feed goats.
Jordynn Adams performs with the Fox Warriorette Dance Team.
Sophia Zouglas leads her column of the Fox Warriorettes Dance Team.
Madison McConochie plays her drum as the Seckman Jaguars Marching Band marches down Jeffco Boulevard.
Retired Fox High School teacher Art Kasey joins in on the festivities.
Junior Jaguars cheerleader, Quincie Underwood, makes her way down Jeffco Boulevard along with her team.
A member of the IBEW float tosses out candy.
Preston Fore and his fellow Fox Warrior football players pass candy to the children along the parade route.
Fox Warrior Marching Band drum major Kirsten Vilcek salutes as she helps the band make its way along Jeffco Boulevard during the 2024 Arnold Days Parade.
Maddie Davis, 7, and Bailey Fisher, 6, from Arnold collect candy during the parade.
Members of the Arnold VFW Post take part in the 2024 Arnold Days Parade.
As featured on
For the full Arnold Days special section, see the Sept. 18 Arnold-Imperial Leader.
