The crowd was smaller than in years past, but those who attended the first in-person Leader Wedding Fair since the pandemic were enthusiastic about its return on Sunday, March 6.
“I think it’s great they’re having an event like this,” said bride-to-be Abigail Sharp of Festus, visiting the fair with her mother, Jamie Sharp. “We’re just getting a feel for what’s available, what other people are doing. This is nice.”
About 450 visitors showed up for the fair, which was held at the Quality Inn in Festus and was rescheduled from its original Feb. 6 date due to coronavirus concerns.
“It was a hard decision to make because of all the years of having this event in late January or early February,” Leader assistant publisher Peggy Scott said. “But it felt like the right call. It was safer for the vendors and the guests. People seemed glad to be out and about, and happy to be planning in-person wedding events again.”
It was the 28th annual Wedding Fair sponsored by Leader Publications and featured 40 vendors offering goods and services for weddings and other special occasions. Many of the vendors offered giveaways and drawings for prizes.
Admission fees raised a little more than $1,000 for Living Life on 2 Wheels, a nonprofit organization that provides bicycles to schools for physical education classes.
Ticket sales were tiered, with a $3 advance admission and $5 at the gate.
“The online sales went well, and the check-in process went very seamlessly,” Scott said. “That’s something we’ll continue, definitely.”
Another new twist was the cash bar, featuring mimosas, beer, wine and soft drink, and the small bistro tables scattered nearby.
“The bar was popular,” Scott said. “The bistro tables worked out very well too, giving people a chance to rest and regroup, to compare notes and visit a little.”
The event was featured on social media; check out a live stream on the Leader Publications Facebook page or review event highlights on Instagram at
@myleaderpaper.
Perryville native Megan Sutterer’s name was drawn to win the grand prize of a three-night, all-inclusive honeymoon trip to the deluxe, adults-only Secrets Royal Beach Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, courtesy of A-Plus Travel in Imperial
Living Life on 2 Wheels volunteers were on hand to help collect admission fees and to talk with fairgoers about the group’s mission and its upcoming activities. The group has raised more than $75,000 to provide bikes, helmets and storage racks to elementary schools around the county, with more slated for the upcoming months. They are funded through donations and a grant from the Jefferson Foundation.
More information about the group may be found at livinglifeon2wheels.com.
With this year’s proceeds, the Leader Wedding Fair has raised a total of $46,653 over the years for various local charities.
The next event for Leader Publications is the De Soto Senior Expo, slated for Wednesday, April 20, at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Hwy. E. A special section will be published in the Thursday, April 14, issue of the Grand Times, the paper’s magazine for seniors.
For information about the expo or other upcoming events, send an email to news@leaderpublications.biz or call 636-931-7560.