The Festus Tourism Commission and the city of Festus have teamed up to hold a long slate of festivals, concerts, car shows and other public events this year.
First up is a series of free exercise classes at the stage in Larry G. Crites Memorial Park along Old Hwy. A in the western part of the city.
“Starting the week of April 11, we will have three exercise classes a week at the stage at Crites. The classes will run through May 22,” said Barb Lowry, the Festus recreation and tourism director. “On Wednesdays at 6 p.m., there will be a fitness class. On Fridays at 11 a.m., we’ll have a class called Fitness and Flow, a yoga class. On Saturdays at 9:30 a.m., there will be a boot camp fitness class.
“All of the classes last about an hour. They’re all free for anyone. All ages are welcome. So, you’ll be beach and summer ready by Memorial Day if you take the classes.”
Lowry said she also plans to hold Food Truck Mondays again.
“They are held on the first Mondays of the month other than on holidays, when they are moved to the second Monday of the month,” she said. “I hope to start
May 2. I feel that they’ve gone well.”
The food trucks set up outside the Festus Public Library parking lot, 400 W. Main St.
Other Festus-sponsored events include:
■ June 4, Mayor’s Summer Cruise: For the evening event, people will drive vehicles – some vintage – up and down Main Street, and others will line up on the sidewalk to watch. “We’ll also have a car show with it on the library parking lot in the afternoon,” Lowry said. “We’ll have a DJ playing music from the afternoon to the evening.”
■ June 11, Swingin’ Under the Stars: A free concert will be held at Crites Park, where the MOBB (Missouri Big Band) will perform under the direction of Joe Pappas and featuring vocalist Joe Scalzitti.
■ June 24-25, Twin City Firecracker Festival: Most of the festival activities will be at Crites Park, while the associated Larry G. Crites Memorial Firecracker Festival Pickleball Tournament scheduled for June 22-26 will be held in other Festus parks. “The Jonathan Braddy Band is expected to play from 6-10 p.m. June 24 at the Crites stage,” Lowry said. A fireworks display will be held the night of June 25.
■ July 23, Blues Funk Festival: The free concert is held annually at the Crites Park stage.
■ September-October, Sundays at the Stage Concerts: Free concerts at Sunset Park, 816 Parkview Drive.
■ Sept. 17, Mayor’s Fall Cruise: A evening event along Main Street and an afternoon car show in the Festus Public Library parking lot.
■ Sept. 24-25, George Portz Traditional Music Festival: National fiddle champion Portz brings his Traditional Music Festival to Crites Park again. A variety of regional and national bluegrass and traditional musicians will perform. This is not a city event, although the Festus Tourism Commission typically awards grants to Portz to help publicize the popular festival, Lowry said.
■ Oct. 1, West City Trash & Treasure Expo: A communitywide yard sale held annually at Crites Park.
■ Dec. 3, WinterFest: An annual event offering both free activities and activities for a fee in downtown Festus.
■ Dec. 3 and multiple dates leading to Christmas, Santa House: Santa Claus visits children at the Santa House in Schneider Park at the intersection of Main and Mill streets.
■ Fridays in December, Santa’s Mail Bag: A YouTube online event in which Santa reads letters he got from youngsters.
For more information about the events, visit cityoffestus.org and click the “Around Town” button.