Despite pleasant weather conditions, smaller crowds than expected attended both the 32nd annual Jefferson County Fire Engine Rally and the Herculaneum Fall Festival, on Sept. 26 at the William C. Haggard City Park in Herculaneum.
The Fire Engine Rally kicked off with a parade of firetrucks and other emergency vehicles starting at St. Pius X High School in Crystal City and proceeding northward on Hwy. 61-67 to the park where the rally was held from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Chris Baker, president of the Jefferson County Firefighters Association, said attendance was down from previous years at the Fire Engine Rally.
“We probably had about 500 or 600 in total, so it was definitely down from what we’ve had in the past,” Baker said.
He said it’s part of an overall trend that he’s noticed at Jefferson County events over the last few months. He said the event was still a big success.
Baker said awards included Life Saving Awards given to Jonathan Bruns, Jacob Cobb and Matthew Hasenbeck from the High Ridge Fire Protection District; the Fire Department of the Year award given to the Crystal City Fire Department; the Agency of the Year award going to Jefferson County 9-1-1 Dispatch; and the Telecommunicator of the Year award given to Corrine Haverstick from the Jefferson County 9-1-1 Dispatch.
Baker said awards were also given for farthest traveled, best lettering and detail, best antique, newest apparatus in service and oldest apparatus in service.
The fall festival followed, with a lighter attendance than last year.
Herculaneum Mayor Ryan Wright said he was unsure of the reason of the lower attendance but said that those who did attend the event had a great time enjoying the food trucks, band performances and bounce houses.
“It went really well,” Wright said. “The people who were there really enjoyed it, and all the food trucks were very good. We’re very thankful they came out. I want to thank (City Administrator) Logan Jaskiewicz and Chris Baker for putting it all on. They put a lot of work into it to make both events seamless. Honestly, so it’s set up wonderfully. We’re going to keep trying to grow it every year, and hopefully it’ll grow next year.”
Wright said pairing the Jefferson County Fire Engine Rally and the Herculaneum Fall Festival keeps costs down while appealing to a wide variety of attendees.
One happy attendee at the festival was Kayla Freeman, 28, of Pevely. She attended this year’s festival with her son, Arthur, 2.
Freeman said she enjoyed getting out of her house to spend time enjoying the food trucks and taking Arthur to play at Kade’s Playground and the Bay of Naples Splash Zone.
“It’s the first time he’s gotten in the splash pad. He was finally brave enough today. He likes it.”
Freeman said she also enjoyed listening to the musical performances by Blackwell Station on stage.
Wright said he hopes to include more activities at future fall festivals and the city will look into the possibility of adding something like a drone, firework or laser show.
“It’s our second year, so we’re going to keep getting better and learning more things,” Wright said. “It’s one of those things where we can try to do a small something, and then if it’s a hit, then we can expand it.”