Festival At Potosi Lions Fairgrounds – B.J.B. Car Show & Austin Festival Are This Week

by Kris Richards

It is ‘festival time’ and we will all see how things go following a ‘pandemic’. With some help from several people in the community, the event has moved to the Potosi Lions for space, convenience and parking. While the history of Washington County is part of the celebration, this year is focused more on fun and being able to ‘get out’, (we’ve made our own history this past year)!

Everyone’s invited, there’s plenty of room and hopefully plenty of fun. Carnival rides, food, vendors, cornhole, music and 4H and FFA Prospect Show and more.

The main goal of the weekend is to have fun, enjoy your family and friends.

This year’s ‘Austin Fest’ will welcome folks to the Potosi Lions Club Fairgrounds on Thursday, evening, June 17th; Friday evening, June 18th and Saturday, June 19th, 2021 as the Annual Moses Austin Heritage Festival is held to celebrate the area’s history and the community.

The Festival will kick-off with a ‘Carnival Night’ at the fairgrounds with Show-Me Amusements offering rides at their Midway. The Potosi Lions will have some food and refreshments available. The Thursday afternoon and evening sessions will be for kids (of all ages) to ride the carnival rides. The is no admission charge to the grounds and plenty of parking. Entrance to the parking area is off of Highway 185, Potosi. For those that want to bring the kids to ride without worrying about ‘crowds’ or large groups of people the Thursday session may be what some people are comfortable with this year.

The second Billy Joe Boyer Memorial Car Show is being held on Friday evening, June 18th, 2021. The car cruise in and show starts off with a Car Cruise-In Parade and the Show will follow. The Car Parade starts at 6 p.m. with the Show after. The parade will line up at Red Wing parking lot, go West on High Street and park on the streets downtown around Moore Funeral Home. The Car Show will be on North Missouri St., Clark St. and North Mine. Scott Marler will be doing the sound for the car show along with a variety of D.J. music. Last year there were 57 cars entered into the Show. Billy Joe’s family was well represented and picked the ‘family favorite’.

Also on Friday, vendors will set their booths and display their wares at the Potosi Lions fairgrounds. There will be a variety of vendors, foods and fun along with music on the stage.

Saturday, June 20th will start with the 4H & FFA Prospect Show. The young people will show their steers that are their projects for the Summer. There will be competition for Showmanship among the youth and this will be a great opportunity for potential buyers to see the various animals in the early stage of development for the Annual Fair Livestock Auction. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend and support the kids as they work on their showmanship.

On Saturday, vendors will be in place by 11 a.m. at the fairgrounds. There won’t be any ceremonies or events to draw a large crowd at any one time to try to help with the public’s comfort and in respect to ‘social distance’ as some continue to have concern over the COVID-19 pandemic and public events.

A Cornhole Tournament is being planned to begin at approximately 12 noon. There will be a variety of music through the afternoon and a beer garden set up by Twin Eagle Lake Store.

The Festival has become a tradition for the community and the area. It celebrates the history of why we are all here and how we got here. It is a time to relax, enjoy the outdoors and friendly faces.

With consideration to the COVID-19 pandemic, basic precautions are being taken to provide ample space for vendors and public. Best practices are still encouraged for all as the public gets an opportunity to get together after being ‘shut in’ for so long. Wash your hands, give people a little room, stay home if you don’t feel well and respect your neighbor.

Enjoy a weekend that celebrates history and community!