Posted in Events

What’s Happening in East Central Missouri, Sept. 15 – Sept. 21, 2025

Although it doesn’t feel like it outside, we’re inching towards fall a little more with each passing day. This week is filled with events that celebrate autumn, family-friendly activities like festivals and free outdoor movies, live music events, markets, and more.

Thursday, Sept. 18
Union’s Dinner on the Square event is on Main Street, right in front of the Historic Old Courthouse. Get ready for a night filled with delicious food, live music by Tom Norton, and vibrant community spirit. Don’t miss out on this chance to be part of a memorable evening under the stars!
Get the details.

Photo via Dinner on the Square Facebook event

Friday, Sept. 19
Head to Scarlett’s Bar & Grill in St. Clair for a trivia night to support retired firefighter Rob Slinkard in his battle with cancer.  There will be food specials from 5–9 p.m., a silent auction from 5–8:30 p.m., and trivia from 5:30–7 p.m.
Learn more.

Friday, Sept. 19
Want to learn some new moves, but don’t know where to start? McKelvey Vineyards is hosting an evening of fun, beginner-friendly line dancing from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Get the details.

Friday, Sept. 19
Calling all ’90s kids and music lovers! Extremely Unplugged will be kickin out the jams from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Front Street Cellars & Inn in Washington. Grab a bottle of wine and listen to them play acoustic ’90s covers.
Get more info.

Friday, Sept. 19
On the third Friday of each month, The Washington Coffee Shop hosts an Open Mic Night. Singers, musicians, poets, and spoken word artists are welcome to share their talents with the crowd. 
Learn more at The Washington Coffee Shop’s Facebook page.

Saturday, Sept. 20
R&R Ace’s annual craft fair is happening in the front parking lot at R&R Ace in St. Clair. Find unique gifts and hand-crafted treasures at this event.
Get more details on Facebook.

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Saturday, Sept. 20
Head to downtown Sullivan for the fall market from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Shop vendors during the market, or arrive early and watch the band parade, where students from all over the state will show off their musical skills as they march through downtown.
Learn more.

Saturday, Sept. 20
The St. Clair Farmers Market happens the first and third Saturday in the Elks parking lot. Find local produce, meat from Bardot Farms, cottage baked goods, and more.

Saturday, Sept. 20
Four Rivers Car Show is happening from noon-5 p.m. at Washington VFW.
Find out more.

Saturday, Sept. 20
Astral Glass Studio is hosting its annual Pumpkin Palooza from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., and will be unveiling this year’s stock of glass pumpkins made by Lance Stroheker. Don’t forget to grab your free ticket to enter into a glass pumpkin giveaway at 2 p.m.
More info.

Saturday, Sept. 20
Come see a variety of machines, farm equipment, and trucks at the Meet the Machines event at FBC in St. Clair. This is a free event for the entire family that will feature games, a craft station, food, and lots to see.
Get all the details.

Saturday, Sept. 20
St. Clair Christian Church is hosting a free drive-in movie. The movie will be “King of Kings” and it will start as soon as the sun goes down. Interested attendees are encouraged to get into a parking space for this movie night.
Find out more.

Saturday, Sept. 20
OxFest Music Festival happens at the fairgrounds in Washington from noon until 10 p.m. Since 2017 OxFest has donated more than $322,000 to charities that support children. Get your tickets and get ready for a day of great music for a great cause.
Get ticketing info.

Saturday, Sept. 20
Join the Franklin County Deputy Sheriff’s Association at it’s second annual Fall Dance. The theme this year is Western, so dress in your best cowboy/cowgirl outfits. Included in your tickets is a live band, dinner, and a cash bar. Tickets are $50 per person. It is recommended to get your tickets in advance, and all proceeds for this event aid in supporting Franklin County First Responders.
Learn more.

Road Trippin’

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

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Ad purchased by Freelance Services – residential architecture and design services.
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Thursday, Sept. 18 – Sunday, Sept. 20
Autumn Glow Festival is lighting up Eureka Thursdays-Sundays this fall at Brookdale Farms. This enchanting night walk, inspired by traditional Chinese lantern festivals, is the perfect autumn outing for friends and families. Explore 100s of intricately crafted lanterns, enjoy live acrobatic shows, try tasty local food, and discover a world of festive fun for all ages.
Learn more.

Friday, Sept. 19
Life House in Cuba will host an outside movie night, and admissions is free. Concessions will be available for sale. Grab your blankets and chairs and don’t miss out on the showing of the film “Spiderman.”
Find out more.

Saturday, Sept. 20
Taste of the Ozarks is happening in Steelville. Expect food trucks, vendors, and live music.
Get more details.

Saturday, Sept. 20
Fall at the Farm at Smith Valley Event Barn in Salem is the perfect place to get that fall decor and start shopping for the Christmas season. Make plans to get the friends together and enjoy a day of shopping.
Learn more.

Saturday, Sept. 20
Onondaga Cave State Park in Leasburg is hosting a free stargazing event. The public is invited to meet in front of the visitor center to view the unobstructed night sky and learn about some of the objects that can be seen. Astronomy experts will be demonstrating the use of telescopes and identifying stars and planets.
Find out more.

Posted in Events

What’s Happening in Franklin County June 16 – June 22

This week there’s lots of kid and family-friendly events, from a bubble experience to a free drive-in showing of Jumanji, as well as two community movie nights, the Franklin County Fair, and the Route 66 BBQ Battle & Bluegrass Festival in Pacific, a three-day affair which will have a family movie night, kid zone, music, and of course, lip-smackin’ barbecue! Check out the entire list of events below.

Tuesday, June 17
The Bubble Bus is rolling into the Union Branch of Scenic Regional Library! Bring the family to the library parking lot for an afternoon of fun with bubbles from the Bubble Bus.
Pre-registration is required for this event.

Tuesday, June 17
Learn how to preserve food in a healthy way at the dehydrating fruit leather event at the Washington Public Library at 6 p.m. 
Learn more at the Facebook event.

Wednesday, June 18
Take a mid-week break for a fun fundraiser for Wally Mills, at The Alley, in Washington. This is a family event so bring the kids. Play music bingo, check out the silent auction items and purchase 50/50 raffle tickets to help Wally and his family with medical expenses.
Learn more.

Wednesday, June 18
Acoustic Jammers will gather again at 6 p.m. at Hansen Park in Union, weather permitting. (Be sure to bring your lawn chairs.) In the event Mother Nature decides to send rain, they will move to The American Legion. Everyone is welcome to come and participate or just come and enjoy the music.

Thursday, June 19 – Sunday, June 22
The Franklin County Fair is held Thursday – Sunday in Union. The event features concessions, entertainment, carnival rides, a petting zoo, and a lot more. 
Get all the details.

Thursday, June 19
Catch a free drive-in showing of Jumanji in the parking lot of Cinema 1 in Washington. Parking spaces are first come, first serve and the movie will start ~30 mins. after sunset.
Learn more.

Friday, June 20 – Sunday, June 22
Liberty Field in Pacific is the site of the Route 66 BBQ Battle & Bluegrass Festival, a three-day extravaganza of mouthwatering BBQ and toe-tapping tunes that is fun for the whole family! Kick off the event by watching the Route 66 classic, Disney’s “Cars” on the lawn, catch performances by bluegrass bands all three days, and enjoy delectable barbecue all weekend long. 
Learn more.

Photo via Route 66 BBQ Battle & Bluegrass Festival’s Facebook event.

Friday, June 20
Rescheduled from Friday, June 13 due to the weather! Head to Gerald for a special Movie Night at Legion Park hosted by the Chief Mason Griffith Foundation! Enjoy family fun with a 50/50 drawing, raffle tickets, and a free will offering benefiting Firefighter Via Family. Food available for purchase: nachos, hot dogs, popcorn! Movie title coming soon — stay tuned! Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and loved ones for an unforgettable night under the stars. Let’s show our support and come together as a community.
Learn more.

Friday, June 20
It’s time to dust off those low-rise jeans, grab your butterfly clips, and get ready to party like it’s 1999! The Alley will have 90s-2000s Trivia from 7-10 p.m. and Karaoke from 10 p.m.-12 a.m. The Tipsy Keg will have True North Entertainment playing all your favorite throwbacks starting at 9 p.m. Each bar will have a 90s-2000s themed cocktail or shot.
Find out more and purchase tickets.

Friday, June 20
On the third Friday of each month, The Washington Coffee Shop hosts an Open Mic Night. Singers, musicians, poets, and spoken word artists are welcome to share their talents with the crowd. 
Learn more at The Washington Coffee Shop’s Facebook page.

Friday, June 20
The City of Union’s Lawn Chair Movie Night will feature food from Savy’s Food Truck and will show Sonic the Hedgehog. 
Find out more on the Union Parks Department’s Facebook.

Saturday, June 21
Join  a morning yoga session at the Gerald City Park! Be sure to bring your own yoga mat and dress comfortably. This class is $10/person.
Learn more and sign up and pay.

Saturday, June 21
The Gerald Lions are hosting a celebration that includes a fireworks show at Gerald City Park on June 21.
Learn more.

Sunday, June 22
Enjoy a Sunday afternoon of free ice cream, games, and contests at the Four Rivers Genealogical Society’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social. Guests will also have the opportunity to purchase burgers and brats and visit the Museum and Genealogical Society.
Find out more.

Sunday, June 22
The public is invited to an open house from noon to 4 p.m. at Bethel Hills community in Dutzow. There will be an art show, live music, and BBQ available for purchase.
Find out more about Bethel Hills and this event.

Road Trippin’

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

Friday, June 20
Shake up your Friday night with a fun, hands-on cocktail workshop at St. James Winery! You’ll mix and enjoy three seasonal cocktails, snack on a charcuterie grazing board, and leave with recipe cards so you can recreate the drinks at home. Your ticket includes, 3 handcrafted cocktails, a charcuterie grazing board, recipe cards to take home, plus 10% off wine purchases during the event.
Get tickets.

Saturday, June 21
Kick off summer with bold flavor and big vibes at the Backyard BBQ, Bourbon & Brews event! Head to St. James for a full day of live music, BBQ food specials, whiskey flights, and a stellar lineup of craft spirit vendors. 
Find out more.

Saturday, June 21
Onondaga Cave State Park in Leasburg is hosting a series of off-trail tours of Cathedral Cave. These tours are perfect for people who want to get a more intense cave experience, one that goes beyond the lighted tour with rails and trails. Each tour is led by an experienced guide and requires participants to climb, crawl and get a little muddy. Visitors will spend four to five hours in the cave and will learn about the cave’s geology, biology and history. Each tour is limited to 15 people ages 10 and up, and registration is required. There is a fee of $70 per adult and $50 per child. Safety is our top priority. All interested guests will be asked some questions to determine whether they are able to complete the tour, and they will be shown a video of what to expect inside the cave. The guide will send a list of items to bring, and caving helmets will be provided.
To register, call the park at 573-522-3760.

Saturday, June 21
Celebrate the Summer Solstice with gentle flow yoga in a beautiful, natural setting in St. James. Maramac Spring Park’s overlook will be the site of this outdoor yoga class, which starts at 8 a.m. Participants should bring their own yoga mat, towel, and water.
$15 to participate, payable through cash or Venmo.
Learn more.

Posted in Events

What’s Happening in Franklin County March 17 – March 23, 2025

Typically each Monday morning I create a post highlighting things to do around Franklin County for the week, and while I am still sharing some events, today I’m starting this article with a list of ways to help those in our community who need a hand due to the storms that hit our region on Friday, March 14.

Hands in varying skin tones forming a heart shape

If you know someone in need, or you’re looking for ways to help through donating items, below is a list of businesses that are collecting items for those in need. This is by no means an exhaustive list, and I don’t claim to know every organization, business, or individuals who are helping out, however, I am sharing what I’ve seen posted on Facebook.

And, since things can change rapidly, including what kind of donation items may be needed, I have included a link to each organization or business Facebook page so anyone interested in helping can connect with them directly.

Blessings Are Miracles is a non-profit organization that helps provide everyday essentials to those who need it.

The Competitive Edge Fitness in Union is offering free hot showers for anyone affected by the storms on Monday, March 17, regardless of if they’re a member of the gym or not. The gym is open to the public from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Red Cross of Missouri shared a list of area shelters by county for those displaced by the storm.

Present Moment Yoga in Washington shared a post that anyone affected by the storms can receive a free yoga class.

Stacked Coffeehouse in Villa Ridge has been collecting donations for those in need during business hours. View the shop’s Facebook for more details.

The Novel Nook in Washington while not open to the public yet, is serving as a drop-off site for donations. Since the store isn’t open just yet, definitely reach out via phone or Facebook to coordinate a drop-off time.

Project Linus of Franklin & Crawford County is an organization that collects new blankets for children in need. If you would like to donate new blankets to Project Linus, reach out to them to get details on what they need and to find a drop-off location.

1861 Social House Eatery & Bar in Washington is serving as a drop-off site for donations.

Now, here’s the list of the events happening around Franklin County this week.

Wednesday, March 19
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, March 20
Stop in to The Tipsy Keg Bingo Night for half priced wings, happy hour, and bingo. Prizes to be won with every game!  
Follow The Tipsy Keg on Facebook for more details.

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Ad purchased by Freelance Services – residential architecture and design services.
“My goal is to make your home your castle.”

Friday, March 21
Head to The Washington Coffee Shop for the shop’s monthly Open Mic Night. Come out as a spectator or step up to the mic to share your talent with the community.
Find out more at this Facebook event.

Saturday, March 22
Learn the most effective ways to provide everything your plants need to grow and thrive at the Feeding Your Plants Workshop at Hoffmann Hillermann Nursery & Florist in Washington.
Reserve your spot.

Saturday, March 22
The 25th Annual Spring Bluff Dinner Auction is put on by the Spring Bluff Educational Foundation as a fundraiser to raise funds for the Spring Bluff School District. The community is invited to join in this fun filled night held at the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Sullivan.
Learn more.

Saturday, March 22
Put on your grooviest outfit and head to The Tipsy Keg! They’ll have a 70s playlist, disco ball and a costume contest. Karaoke starts at 9 p.m., Costume Contest awards are at 11:30 p.m. for 1st and 2nd place prizes. Take advantage of specialty cocktail deals, Tequila Sunrise $5 and Long Island $6
Get more details at the Facebook event.

Posted in Events

What’s Happening in Franklin County Feb. 17 – Feb. 23, 2025

Weather permitting, here’s what’s happening around Franklin County, Missouri this week.

Wednesday, Feb. 19
Explore your creative side and choose from making a St. Patrick’s themed Highlander cow or a Mardi Gras painting at a paint night held at Sip on Main in Union. Included in the ticket price is a pre-traced canvas, plus $5 off food/drink at Sip on Main for that evening.  *UPDATE* Due to snow, this event has been rescheduled to March, 5.
Find out more and register.

Thursday, Feb. 20
Learn how to make and use a sourdough starter, while also learning about sourdough’s amazing gut health benefits. 
Find out more and how to pay for the workshop.

Thursday, Feb. 20 through Sunday, Feb. 23
Escape the ordinary at the area’s newest brewery and winery, Fugitive Bluff Brewery and Winery, located in Berger. The opening weekend festivities will include food, beer, and wine. *UPDATE* Due to snow, Fugitive Bluff has postponed its opening and may open Saturday and Sunday. It is expected to announce its opening plans on Facebook on Friday, Feb. 21.
Find out more.

Photo via Fugitive Bluff Brewery and Winery’s Facebook

Friday, Feb. 21
Do you write poetry, can you deliver a joke with impeccable comedic timing? Are you a singer or musician? All are welcome to share their talent at The Washington Coffee Shop’s Open Mic Night. Or, maybe sitting back with a coffee or tea in hand taking in the music or spoken word of the guests is more your thing. Either way, stop by the coffee shop for an entertaining evening. 
Learn more.

Saturday, Feb. 22
The same great food and music you’ve come to love at the summertime CajunFest is being held this year indoors in February. The Cajun Night event will feature live music from from Dennis Stroughmatt with Creole Stomp.
Find out more.