Posted in Events

What’s Happening in Franklin County June 2 – June 8, 2025

Posted on by Amanda

This week, there’s a drive-in movie, multiple car shows, a demolition derby, farmers markets, a pig roast, the town of Belle’s 77th Annual Fair, and a lot more. Read on for the full list of exciting things happening in our area!

Thursday, June 5
Cinema 1 Plus in Washington continues its free drive-in movies with a showing of the animated film “Sing.” The movie will start 30 minutes after sunset.  Parking is first come, first serve for these free events. 
Learn more.

Thursday, June 5 & Saturday, June 7
Birdie’s Bakeshop in Washington offers two cookie decorating classes; Thursday from 6-8 p.m. for beginners or an all ages option on Saturday afternoon from 4-6 p.m. Must register online first in order to attend either class.
Register here.

Friday, June 6
Head to Union for the Concert in the Park series, with live music performed by Twisted Fiction. Attendees are welcome to bring coolers.
Learn more.

Saturday, June 7
The St. Clair Farmers Market happens on the first and third Saturdays of each month, from 8 a.m. until Noon, in the Elks Lodge parking lot. Find local produce, meat from Bardot Farms, cottage baked goods, and more.

Saturday, June 7
Union City Park will be the site of the Car Show in the Park, a rain or shine event that will include lots of cars, as well as free train rides and a petting zoo for kids. 
Get all the details.

Saturday, June 7
Celebrate summer with the 1st Annual Pig Roast & Lagerfest from 1 to 8 p.m. In this collaboration of multi-downtown businesses, join Lang A Tang Catering, Paddle Stop Brewing, Avant Gardens & Pinckney Bend in a fun filled afternoon!
Learn more at the Facebook event.

Photo via Pig Roast & Lager Festival Facebook event.

Saturday, June 7 – Sunday, June 8
The Villa Ridge Farmers Market happens on the first Saturday and Sunday of each month at Stacked Coffeehouse in Villa Ridge from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day. Find locally made goods, local produce, meat, food, and of course, coffee from Stacked.
Follow the market’s Facebook page to learn more.

Saturday, June 7
Citizens Bank is hosting a Black Light Music Bingo, with all proceeds donated to Franklin County Area United Way. Call in or visit any Citizens Bank location for reservations. The Doors Open at 6:30 p.m. and the bingo starts at 7 p.m.
Get pricing and other details.

Road Trippin’

Take a little road trip to some of these events happening within a short drive of Franklin County.

Wednesday, June 4 – Saturday, June 7
The 77th Annual Belle Fair is happening in the town of Belle from Wednesday, June 4 to Saturday, June 7. The fair festivities kick off with a parade on Wednesday, followed by the crowning of the 2025 Fair Queen. Throughout the festivities, you will find live entertainment, livestock shows, tractor pull, kids events, food, and more.
Get the details.

Friday, June 6
Car enthusiasts will want to check out the Memorial Cruise In happening from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Rosebud General Store. This free event will feature live music, food provided by Wildflower Cafe Drive-In, and of course, lots of impressive rides!  
Learn more.

Saturday, June 7
The Gasconade County Fairgrounds in Owensville will be the site of a demolition derby. The gates open at 5 p.m., and the event will also include a beer garden and food shack.
Find out more.

Saturday, June 7
Head out to the city of Rosebud for the town-wide garage sale. Hunt for treasures at the garage sales and support local merchants in town by shopping side walk sales at participating businesses.
Learn more.

Posted in News and Features

Whisked by Krystal is Whipping Up All the Yummy Things!

Posted on by Amanda

I’m a farmers market kind of gal: I love getting up close and personal with the items I’m buying as well as meeting local makers, bakers, farmers, and vendors. So, in the spring of 2024 when I found a new to me sourdough business called Whisked by Krystal at the St. Clair Farmers Market, I was excited to meet and chat with the self-taught baker.

Although I wasn’t looking for freshly baked bread or delicious sweet baked goodies at that first meeting, they looked so amazing, I bought some things anyway…and I was instantly hooked! While her menu can vary at each market, the typical offerings are items like bread loaves, such as the beautiful artisan style depicted below, to French bread, or sweets like cinnamon rolls and the best chocolate chip cookies I’ve ever eaten. Seriously, they’re soft, buttery, with that just right salty-sweet balance.

Loaves of sourdough bread. Photo via Whisked by Krystal on Facebook.

While this cottage baker doesn’t have a traditional brick and mortar, she is often set up at the St. Clair Farmers Market, which happens on the first and third Saturdays at the Elks Lodge in St. Clair. In addition to the loaves of bread, cookies, and other treats she sells at the farmers market, Krystal also does custom orders, like cakes and cupcakes for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and other celebrations. While I have never tried one of her cakes, photos of her creations look divine 😀

A custom cake made for an anniversary celebration. Photo via Whisked by Krystal on Facebook.

The Socialite suggests you check out Whisked by Krystal on Facebook to learn more!

Posted in Events

What’s Happening in Franklin County May 26 – June 1, 2025

Posted on by Amanda

This week there’s a lot going on in and around Franklin County, including a Memorial Day parade in Union, a free drive-in movie in Washington, a rodeo in Gerald, and the annual car show at White Rose Cafe is happening on Sunday, June 1.

Monday, May 26 – Memorial Day
Watch the parade on Memorial Day in Union at 10 a.m. then head to the American Legion for service at 11 a.m., with lunch immediately following the service.
Get more details.

Monday, May 26 – Memorial Day
If you want some barbecue, but don’t want to spend time at the grill, The Tipsy Keg will have a special barbecue menu for Memorial Day. Find pulled pork, brisket, and ribs beginning at 11 a.m. until sold out. There will also be live music performed by Travis Fadler. 
Find out more on Facebook.

Tuesday, May 27 – Wednesday, May 28
There are two opportunities to take part in dance fitness class Bad Beats. Head to the Washington Community Art Studio for an hour long class that will help you reach your fitness goals while having fun.
Reserve your spot!

Wednesday, May 28
The Franklin County Silent Book Club is hosting its monthly meeting at underGROUNDS Espresso Bar in Washington. Bring your book of choice, order a beverage, and sit and read in companionable silence, followed by a short period dedicated to conversation, or continued reading.
Learn more.

Thursday, May 29
Cinema 1 Plus in Washington will show a different drive-in movie every Thursday night throughout the summer for free. The special showings are kicking off with “Forrest Gump.”
Learn more.

Friday, May 30
Blondie’s Breezeway in St. Clair will have live music from Travis Fadler starting at 7 p.m.

Friday, May 30
The Tipsy Keg in downtown Washington is hosting an Open Mic Night beginning at 7 p.m. Limited food menu available, and drink specials throughout the night. 
Learn more on Facebook.

Friday, May 30 and Saturday, May 31
The Gerald Saddle Club is hosting a rodeo on Friday and Saturday, beginning at 7 p.m. each day. Take in bronc riding, barrel racing, bull riding, and more.
Get more details.

Sunday, June 1
The White Rose Cafe in Union’s annual car show will feature all rides. Cruz-N-25 will happen from noon to 3 p.m.
Learn more.

Road Trippin’

Take a little road trip to some of these events happening within a short drive of Franklin County.

Friday, May 30 – Saturday, May 31
Folky Fish Fest is an unforgettable weekend of folk and new-grass music, culture, and community in nearby St. James. Set against the backdrop of Maramec Spring Park’s scenic surroundings, this one-of-a-kind festival brings together folk and new-grass music lovers for a weekend brimming with creativity and connection. Attendees can enjoy an incredible lineup of live performances from talented musicians on multiple stages, ranging from soulful folk tunes to energetic new-grass jams that will have everyone on their feet. A celebration of creativity and community!
Learn more and get tickets.

Saturday, May 31
The Lions Club Fairgrounds in Linn will be the site of the 573 Vintage Market. Come shop from over 50 vendors, enjoy live music, and delectable eats from food trucks.
Get all the details.

Posted in News and Features

La Finca Coffee in Eureka: Serving Up Coffee and Food With Latin Flavors

Posted on by Amanda

Being that I’m a coffee aficionado, I like to try as many coffee shops as I can, and sometimes that means exploring in areas outside of Franklin County. When I’m headed that way, one of my favorite places to stop for an iced latte and food is La Finca Coffee in Old Town Eureka.

The coffee shop is in a charming and walkable part of Eureka, on Central Avenue, a street that has shops and a few other eateries. Although I was bummed (and still am) when La Finca Coffee closed the doors on its short-lived Washington location at the end of 2024, it’s definitely worth the trip to Eureka to enjoy a cup of their coffee.

An iced churro cold brew with cold foam on the left and iced latte with housemade coconut syrup on the right. Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz

Besides coffee, the drink menu also features teas like matcha and chai, along with smoothies and bottled sodas like Mexican Coca Cola and Jarritos. There’s a lot more than just drinks on the menu, so it’s hard to pass up ordering a snack or full meal whenever I visit. While their empanadas and pastries are divine, when I am there during breakfast hours, my husband and I can’t resist splitting the breakfast burrito, made with refried beans, eggs, chorizo, and cheese.

The breakfast burrito from La Finca Coffee is large enough to share, or save half for another meal. Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz

Although it’s really tasty, it’s so huge we always split the burrito. However, on our last visit, we deviated from this plan because the menu now features a housemade sourdough bagel sandwich. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to try the sandwich made from a sourdough sharp cheddar bagel that has a fried egg, mayo, lettuce, bacon, and what I believe was cubed jamón, a dry-cured ham that is typically produced in Spain.

The housemade sourdough bagel sandwich at La Finca Coffee in Eureka. Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz

With two kinds of pork, eggs, and cheese, plus the subtle tang from the sourdough, the flavors on the breakfast sandwich are sooo, so good. And it’s also quite large. We cut it in half so we could split it as well.

The only things I would do differently next time, is not order two breakfasts, since we took food home, and also request that the bagel be toasted/heated for a shorter amount of time, since the cheese that’s baked into the bagel got a little too crispy for my liking and made it a slightly tougher bite than I prefer.

The breakfast menu also features eggs benedict and heuvos rancheros, while the lunch offerings range from the Cuban sandwich, which is amazing and you guessed it, large enough to share! There are also street tacos and quesabirria tacos, a chicken salad sandwich, and asada fries, which are fries topped with carne asada, cheese, pico, and cream, these are on my list to try soon!

The next time you’re near Eureka, I hope you’ll stop by this great eatery.

The Socialite recommends La Finca Coffee!

The details:
104 S. Central Avenue, Eureka
Find La Finca on Facebook
Follow on Instagram
Visit their website