The formerly untitled music venue at Larry G. Crites Memorial Park in Festus has a name – Mayor Mike’s Stage, named after former Festus Mayor Mike Cage.
Sam Richards, the current mayor, announced the new name on Sept. 6, right before the start of Twin City Days concerts at the outdoor stage at the park, formerly called West City Park.
Cage, the city’s mayor from 2010-2019, led the effort to get the stage built, Richards said.
He said city leaders kept the honor a secret until the announcement.
“We (approved the stage name) by consensus,” he said. “He deserved it. It (the stage) was his idea from the very beginning. He made sure it got done.”
Richards said the stage has played an important role for city events at Crites Park.
“It’s been there nine years,” he said. “It’s been a great addition to the park.”
The city largely used grant money from the Festus Tourism Commission to build the 50-by-20-foot stage, but Festus also kicked in some of its own funds to cover the cost, which was about $150,000. Contractor E.A. Boyer Construction of De Soto built the state, which opened in September 2016.
Over the years, the city has received more Tourism Commission grants to pay for other improvements to the stage, bringing its total cost to more than $250,000.
Cage, 74, said he was surprised and honored at the dedication.
“They deceived me to get me there,” he said. “They said my grand-nephew, Ryker, wanted to meet me there.
“It’s kind of neat. What we planned and what we did (for the stage) turned out great, and it’s being used. That’s the main thing.”
After serving as mayor, Cage became a member of the city’s Tourism Commission.