The first-ever Tanglefoot SummerFest will be held from 5-10 p.m. Saturday, June 18, along Main Street in Festus and Bailey Road in Crystal City.
The roads will be closed to traffic during the event, which is geared toward adults and will include live music, arts and crafts vendors, games and other festivities.
“SummerFest is designed to be a free street festival that people can come to and enjoy and celebrate local businesses,” said Michelle Hohmeier, who owns the Tree of Life home decor and furnishings store in Festus and spearheaded the new event.
She is a board member for the Historic Tanglefoot Association, which is partnering with several local businesses to sponsor the event.
Music, art
Musical performances will be held from 6-9 p.m.
“We have four acoustic musicians who will be spread along Main Street from Mill Street to Brierton Lane,” Hohmeier said. “They are being sponsored by the Brick Bistro & Brew, Main & Mill Brewing, Pogolino’s and The Triton Group CPAs. Four Brothers Mead will also have a musician on their back deck, and Vivian James American Beauty will have a DJ.”
Artists and crafters also will be located along Main Street, Hohmeier said.
“We envision future years of SummerFest to become a large art walk,” she said.
Games
Games and other entertainment will be offered, too.
“On Bailey, Meraki and Vivian James will be doing henna tattoos and several other businesses will have other fun activities such as corn hole games and prize games,” she said.
Hohmeier says that since the event is all about these businesses, many of them are participating.
“Stores and restaurants will have discounts and/or specials for the evening,” she said.
Hohmeier said several businesses have donated $25 gift cards or gift certificates for The Great Gift Card Giveaway that will be part of the event.
“We have created a ‘bingo card’ with the names of (the participating) businesses and people will have to get ‘bingo’ by going into those establishments,” she said. “They will then be entered into a drawing for a basket of cards.”
SummerFest is being held this year instead of the “Taste of Tanglefoot” event, which is scheduled to return as an annual event in 2023. SummerFest also is expected to return next year.
Because this is SummerFest’s first year, vendors are not being charged to reserve a space at the event, Hohmeier said.
To be a vendor at the event, contact Hohmeier at treeoflifefestus@gmail.com.