Posted in Events

What’s Happening in Franklin County April 7 – April 13

Easter is getting closer and there’s lots of egg hunts happening throughout Franklin County. There’s also a trail run, karaoke, and even an Easter event for dogs! Check out all that’s going on this week.

Tuesday, April 8
Bad Beats Dance Class is a fun way to get fit. This hour-long class will feature a blend of music genres and decades such as music from the 90s to present day, with dance moves that encompass Latin, jive, country, hip-hop, and more. Register for the class at badbeatsdf.com

Wednesday, April 9
Every Wednesday is Karaoke Night at The Tipsy Keg. Belt out your favorite song, enjoy flash sales and drinks specials, plus happy hour from 3 to 7 p.m. Kitchen is open until 9pm!
Find out more.

Thursday, April 10
Head to the St. Clair Elks Lodge for an Artmazing Paint Nite event, open to teens and up. Unleash your inner artist to create your very own Celtic Trinity Tree. The process will be guided by talented instructor Diana. Enjoy beverages and limited bar food, available separately for cash purchase.
Get all the details, plus the ticket link.

Friday, April 11
Take a break from dyeing eggs and stuffing baskets with candy to join First Christian Church of Washington for an unforgettable Easter experience complete with fun, games, and music! Easter Jam is a FREE, fun, memorable, family-centered celebration around the Easter story.
Learn more and register.

Photo via the Easter Jam Facebook event page.

Friday, April 11
Get ready for an egg-citing evening of adventure at the Teen Easter Egg Hunt at Pacific City Park. Round up your friends and head to the park for an after-dark egg hunt where you’ll have the chance to win awesome prizes! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first-time hunter, this event is guaranteed to be a blast. Tickets are $10.
Get more details and the ticket link at this Facebook event.

Friday, April 11
Belt out your favorite tunes at Sip on Main’s karaoke night. The fun is going down at the establishment’s event room. 
Find out more by visiting the bar’s Facebook page

Friday, April 11
The Legacy Leadership Foundation will host its annual prom event at The Historic John B. Busch Brewery Event Center. This celebration is for area homeschool high school students, as well as their parents. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. Dinner will be served at 7:15 p.m. After dinner, there will be dancing and the event will have a DJ, a photo booth, and snacks. At 9:30 p.m., Seniors will be honored and have their senior/parent dance. 
Find out more and get the ticket link.

Saturday, April 12
Keep the trail miles rolling in 2025 with your choice of a 10k or 20k Trail Run through one of eastern Missouri’s most beautiful locales, the Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit. The 10k loop course features a little bit of everything trail running has to offer: from grass meadows to gravel hiking paths, rocky single-track to dirt roads, steep cliffs to rolling hills, and even a boardwalk above a lily-filled lake! Tackle it twice if you feel like doing the 20k! 
Find out more and purchase tickets

Saturday, April 12
This Easter Egg Hunt is free and welcome to all without registration.
For children ages 1-10. Hunt begins at 9 a.m. sharp. The hunt takes place on the midway soccer field at the Fairgrounds in Washington. Parking is in front of the Amphitheater. Eggs will be hidden in the field and children will be grouped according to age. Don’t forget to bring your baskets!
Learn more.

Saturday, April 12
Sisterchicks Flowers featuring Goddess Gowns invites you to customize your own unique corsage, boutonniere, or bouquet to make prom night even more unforgettable! Attendees can enjoy complimentary snacks and refreshments as designers guide you through pre-ordering the PERFECT prom accessory.
Learn more.

Saturday, April 12
Franklin County Sports Club (FCSC) is excited to host its first-ever Open House at the Union Library! This is a special event to bring our community together and introduce its board of directors, coaches, and club leadership. Learn about FCSC’s mission, vision, and values, discover its goals for growing soccer in Franklin County, get details on sponsorship opportunities and how you can support our young athletes, hear all about the June tryouts and plans to kick off the inaugural season in August 2025. 
Get more details.

Saturday, April 12
The City of St. Clair is hosting a community Easter Egg Hunt at Orchard Park. The hunt begins at 11 a.m. There will be complimentary water, hot dogs, and chips donated by First Baptist St. Clair, while supplies last.
Find out more by visiting this Facebook post.

Photo via City of St. Clair Facebook page.

Saturday, April 12
Come visit with the Easter Bunny then hunt over 6,000 eggs at the Harney Mansion in Sullivan. This free event starts promptly at 11 a.m. Age divisions are 1-3, 4-7 & 8-12. Adults can only assist in the 1-3 division. 
Get more details at the Facebook event.

Saturday, April 12
New Haven’s annual short film festival is happening at The Walt. Attendees will watch a series of short films throughout the festival and then the audience will vote for their favorite films once all films have been viewed. Concessions and drinks are available for purchase at event. Downtown New Haven offers several local places to eat and drink before or after the film fest.
Purchase tickets.

Sunday, April 13
This ticketed Easter event includes dog treat filled eggs scattered around 3 yards for your hound to track down! Bring your pups dressed in their best Easter outfits! There will be an egg hunt, photos with the Easter bunny, and a booth with Puppy Pals Pet Shop set up with goodies, treats, and Easter pet wear. Find out more and get the ticket link.

Posted in Advertorial Feature, Events

Support the Legacy Leadership Foundation at the Legacy Gala Masquerade on March 1

Editorial note: On Tuesday, Feb. 25, the Legacy Leadership Foundation announced on Facebook that due to circumstances beyond its control, the Gala has been canceled.

On Saturday, March 1, The Historic John B. Busch Brewery Event Center will be the site of the Legacy Leadership Foundation’s 2025 fundraising event the Legacy Gala Masquerade. 

The event will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. and the evening will be filled with mingling, dining, and dancing. In what Legacy Leadership Foundation founder Kari Klenke promises will be a family-friendly evening, attendees can opt to embrace the masquerade theme and dress in a costume complete with an elegant, Venetian-style mask, or in business-dress attire. 

Photo via Legacy Leadership Foundation’s Facebook

About the Legacy Leadership Foundation

Kari is an experienced educator who also operates Heart & Heritage Academy, a homeschool hybrid learning center in Franklin County. With Legacy Leadership Foundation, Kari’s vision is to be a resource for local families by providing educational options that extend beyond the public school system. 

A major component of the Foundation includes providing financial support for educational needs like homeschool curriculum or supplies, as well as money to pay for specialized testing, providing student accommodations, or access to various therapy programs, such as speech therapy. Although those programs and tests are often necessary to help students further their education, in instances such as when speech therapy is necessary for learning, it may not be covered by medical insurance because it’s deemed an educational expense and that means families are left to pay for it out-of-pocket. 

Now in its third year, the fundraiser not only provides support for testing, therapy, and other student accommodations, the funds also help sponsor fun social events for homeschooled teens in the Franklin County area. Those events include homecoming and prom dances, and a graduation ceremony, so that homeschooled teenagers have the same opportunity to attend events that are often looked at as a “teenage milestone,” but are typically only attended by students in the public school system. 

Planning for the future

“Another long-term goal we’re working toward is offering a curriculum and homeschool library and curriculum resale shop here in Franklin County,” Kari shares. 

Currently, there’s a similar concept in St. Charles County, a non-profit organization called Family Vision Library, located in St. Peters, that offers books and videos for Christian families who homeschool. Kari hopes to replicate that concept in our area, since it works a lot like a public library, in that materials are on loan for free and are available for in-person pick up or can be sent by mail. However, the homeschool library concept differs from a public library, since the materials are focused on homeschool curriculum needs, rather than the broader base of materials one finds in a public library. 

One of the best ways to support the vision of Legacy Leadership Foundation is by attending the gala. Tickets for the gala are $50 per person, or $375 for a table of eight and can be bought online until Wednesday, Feb. 26. Purchase tickets here.

If you’re unable to attend the event, another way to support the organization is by purchasing a sponsorship, or making a donation. Find out more about sponsorship opportunities online

Learn more about Legacy Leadership Foundation on its website, and by following it on Facebook or Instagram.

Posted in Events

What’s Happening in Franklin County Feb. 3 – Feb 16, 2025

Normally I only share a week’s worth of events each week, but with Valentine’s Day just around the corner, this post featuring Franklin County events will run for about two weeks, through the holiday weekend.

And, as a reminder, if you want to know what events are coming up in advance, be sure to check out the calendar here on the website. It’s located on the right side of the home page when viewing on desktop, or scroll to the bottom of the home page to find the calendar when viewing the website on your mobile device.

Tuesday, Feb. 4
Drop in to The Washington Coffee Shop from 8 to 9 a.m. for Coffee With a Cop. The event offers a chance to get to the know officers in your neighborhood, ask questions, or voice concerns.
More details.

Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz

Thursday, Feb. 6
Regan Caruthers, author of Tragic Magic, will speak about the transformative power of cultivating an inner life at Liberty Hall in Washington. Drawing from her personal journey and themes in her memoir, Regan will share insights on connecting with higher wisdom, embracing divine love, and fostering profound healing.
Learn more and grab your ticket.

Thursday, Feb. 6
Dine to Donate, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Johnny’s Restaurant in Union. The eatery will donate a percentage of sales towards assisting Union Police Officer Kevin Williams, who was involved in an on-duty accident, and the Williams Family, at no extra cost to guests. 
Find out more.

Thursday, Feb. 6
The Tipsy Keg will rearrange the tables in its dining area to make room for a dance floor. From 6 to 9 p.m. stop in to line dance, or just sit back with your drink of choice and watch others boogie. 
Find out more.

Photo credit: via The Tipsy Keg’s Facebook

Friday, Feb. 7
Scenic Regional Library’s Pacific Branch is hosting a local art show. This hour long evening event is free to attend and is co-hosted with amazing local artist Rex Batson.
Find out more.

Saturday, Feb. 8
Held at The Historic John B Busch Brewery Event Center in Washington, the Chicken & Beer Dance promises an evening of good music, dancing, and tasty food! Shotgun Creek will perform live, while the venue will provide some fried chicken. Guests should bring sides for their table to enjoy. No outside drinks are allowed, but the bar will be open. Get all the details and tickets.

Saturday, Feb. 8 
Support a local American Legion while having fun playing bingo! Win prizes during the game and join in a glow dance party after bingo. All proceeds from this ticketed event benefit the Union American Legion Post 297 and local community causes. 
Find out more and get tickets.

Saturday, Feb. 8
Create an adorable planter that will include a vining succulent plant growing into a heart shape. A staff member will lead this class and help you with planting and care tips. 
Find out more and reserve your place.

Photo credit: via Hoffmann Hillermann Nursery & Florist’s Facebook

Sunday, Feb. 9
Cheer on your favorite team at a Super Bowl BBQ event! Enjoy pork steaks, half-chickens, and wings prepared by area grill masters and side makers at Washington Lions Club.
Find more information and ticket pricing.

Wednesday, Feb. 12
Blondie’s Breezeway in St. Clair is offering a mid-week Valentine’s Dinner. The four-course menu features an appetizer, soup, entree, and dessert selection, along with a cocktail made by your sweetie! Two seatings are offered, at 5 and 7 p.m. Reservations are required.
Find out more.

Photo credit: via Blondie’s Breezeway Kitchen & Cocktail’s Facebook

Thursday, Feb. 13
The St. Clair Elks Lodge is hosting an Artmazing Valentine’s Paint Nite event. Receive step-by-step guidance during the entire painting process and go home with a finished painting. 
Get tickets and find out more.

Thursday, Feb. 13 – Saturday, Feb. 15
Oak & Front Kitchen + Bar is hosting a multi-course prix fixe menu just in time for Valentine’s Day. The special menus are perfect for couples or friends celebrating Galentine’s, and are taking place Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, with two seatings each day. 
Space is limited, reserve your spot.

Friday, Feb. 14
The Tipsy Keg is hosting a special Valentine’s Dinner from 5:30 to 9 p.m., as well as an Anti-Valentine’s Party Night beginning at 9 p.m.
Find out more details about each event.

Saturday, Feb. 15
Liberty Hall’s Cultural Center will be the site for a fun, Valentine’s weekend themed movie event.  Guests can take in a private showing of the movie “50 First Dates” on the big screen while enjoying drinks and a four-course meal inspired by cuisine in the film. Food provided by The Nest Cafe. 
Learn more and grab tickets

Sunday, Feb. 16
Don your most festive, Wonderland-inspired attire and attend the Mad Hatter’s High Tea at Stacked Coffeehouse in Villa Ridge. The ticketed event includes a four-course tea service, a grazing table, activities, and a prize for best dressed. 
Get tickets.