Thousands of people turned out for the 2023 Pevely Days, held Aug. 17-19, just before the major heat wave that struck the region, Pevely City Administrator Andy Hixson said.
The event, held at Pevely City Park, was a big success, he said.
“I thought the fair went great,” Hixson said. “We had great weather.”
The festival featured carnival rides, live music, a petting zoo, mechanical bull rides, pony rides, games and a variety of vendors. In addition, a car show was held the morning of Aug. 19.
The bands performed – Past Ambitions on Aug. 18 and the Jonathan Braddy Band on Aug. 19.
“Both bands were great,” Hixson said.
He said the fireworks show that closed out the festivities on Aug. 19 went well, too.
Hixson said Pevely Days offered entertainment and activities that have proved popular over the years.
“We’re just kind of perfecting what we have,” he said. “No new wrinkles. People like the established entertainment.”
The Dunklin R-5 School District, however, brought something new to Pevely Days, Hixson noted.
“The school district had a teacher appreciation day at the fair (on Aug. 18),” he said. “They had all the teachers and staff come enjoy the fair.”
Matt Lichtenstein, Dunklin’s communications director, said the district’s annual welcome day event for teachers for the new school year happened to be scheduled on Aug. 18 at Pevely Elementary School, which neighbors Pevely Park.
“This year we changed locations to the Pevely Elementary gymnasium,” Lichtenstein said. “We usually have it at the Herculaneum High School auditorium. We showed a video that ended with (Superintendent) Clint Freeman saying you could go to Pevely Park and enjoy the rides and get something to eat.”
The fair, which was not open to the general public until later in the afternoon that day, opened for a couple of hours for the Dunklin employees, he said.
“We coordinated with the city and the carnival people to open early for us,” Lichtenstein said. “The district paid (for the teachers and staff).”
Hixson praised the city employees for their work at Pevely days.
“Staff worked very hard to make it successful,” he said.
Hixson said 2024 Pevely Days likely will be held the third week of August again.