People took note of the clear skies and mild temperatures last weekend and turned out in droves for the 30th annual 2025 Twin City Days, organizers said.
The organizers, as well as Festus and Crystal City leaders, said they could not be happier about the turnout for the event, which was held Sept. 4-6 at various locations in the Twin Cities.
“The great weather brought the people out,” said Mary Zebrowski, executive director of the Twin City Area Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the annual event. “I think it was one of the better attendances.”
She said the sprawling nature of the festival – with activities along Main Street in Festus and Mississippi Avenue in Crystal City, as well as at Festus and Crystal City parks – makes it difficult to estimate the number of people who attend, but it clearly was several thousand.
“I would say thousands came out over the three days to the different locations,” Zebrowski said.
At Monday night’s Festus City Council meeting, Ward 1 Councilman Dave Boyer said he estimated 12,000 showed up in the downtown Festus and Crystal City areas where vendor booths were lined up and a car show was held.
Festivities kicked off Sept. 4 with the Twin City Days Free Community Breakfast and the annual Mayors’ Challenge at the Larry G. Crites Memorial Park in Festus. Also that day, Festus officials officially opened the new all-inclusive playground at Turtle Cove at Lucas Field in the park, although the Turtle Cove splash pad was still awaiting a state permit to open, officials said.
The 2025 Midwest Regional Bank Twin City Invitational pickleball tournament took place Sept. 6-7 at Jokerst Memorial Park.
The Tonda Breeze Twin City Memorial Golf Tournament was held Sept. 5 at Crystal Highlands Golf Course south of the Twin Cities. Also on Sept. 5, a bike ride was held in Crystal City, and the Blues on the Brick Cobblestone Concert was held, with musical groups Mojosaurus, 5 Star Roscoe and Crossroads performing, on the Mississippi Avenue cobblestones in Crystal City.
“The bands were outstanding,” said Rick Fischer, a member of the Twin City Days committee. “It was the biggest crowd we’ve ever had (Blues on the Brick, Cobblestone Concert). We moved the food trucks to the bridge on Mississippi. Everybody loved that. It freed up more space on the street. All the bands were great.”
On Sept. 6, activities ranged from fishing to a 5K run to the about 100 vendors and various entries to the classic car show along the closed-off Festus Main Street.
That night a free concert was held at Crites Park featuring the Greg and Dave Show and Breakfast in America.
Other activities included baby crawling races, Hot Wheels races, a washers tourney and a toasted-ravioli eating contest, among others.
Zebrowski said this year’s Twin City Days “was just outstanding.”
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