With improvements and events, downtown O’Fallon ‘is a happening place,’ leaders say

Efforts to spruce up the Downtown District are ongoing, and the revitalized area is seeing a surge in visitors through coordinated planning and community involvement.

Downtown Coordinator Sarah Burton says the community support and positive feedback has been growing ever since the O’Fallon Station opened in late 2018, and downtown merchants organized to create events to attract foot traffic. Since the full year of operation in 2019, attendance has exceeded expectations, not including pandemic-closure period.

That was evident on Saturday, with a big crowd turnout for BaconFest, the seventh annual VFW Post 805 Auxiliary event, which is held the second weekend of September. More than 95 vendors participated, up from 70 last year.

Chairman Marcia Crawford made sure attendees were in hog heaven, with creative bacon-themed offerings, live music, dunk tank with local notables, and other fun activities.

Funds raised help support local veterans in need. Winners of the food contest were: First place for entrée, Chalup Pago Grill; side dish, Gothic Lodge 852, a Masonic Lodge in Fairview Heights, for their fried ribbon potatoes loaded with cheese and bacon; and dessert, Dippidy Donuts food truck from Glen Carbon, who tossed fresh mini-donuts in cinnamon-sugar, then added maple icing and chopped bacon on top.

Ryan Starkey, who operates the new-to-metro-area food truck Dippidy Donuts, said it was the first time they attended but won’t be the last “if they’ll have us back.”

“It was way bigger than we thought. It was awesome,” Starkey said. “Who doesn’t love donuts – and bacon?”

The BaconFest wasn’t the only thing happening in the city, however. The Moose Lodge was having a barbecue, the Parks and Recreation Department hosted Touch a Truck for the fifth time in the Community Park, Vine Street Market had its Saturday farmer’s market, the Kiwanis Club of O’Fallon collected for its Peanut Days, and more.

“Downtown was a happening place on Saturday,” said Grant Litteken, assistant city administrator. “It was beautiful weather, and there were so many people out. It was great. Everyone was happy with the turnout.”

Litteken said the city is trying to stress “community engagement,” and complimented how people are working together to make it happen.

“There are days where Vine Street Market has drawn over 3,000 people,” he said. The farmer’s market is held from May to mid-October each year, with special events at other times, too.

He said downtown will be the future site of two more murals, but is not at liberty to say what merchants will be making those happen at this time.

“We are working with some people on it,” he said.

Another way to get people involved is a design contest for a monument at the corner of Lincoln and First Street. They are seeking ideas.

“We need some help coming up with a creative design. We want it to reflect downtown and the wonderful Downtown District - and be a great place for a photo. If we use your design, we will be sure to give credit,” he said.

Design ideas and sketches can be sent to insideofallon@ofallon.org.

It is not a competition, he said.

Litteken said some additional seating will be placed downtown, and some areas of shade.

That area will still have a welcome sign and a flag; those won’t be replaced.

Other activities coming up this fall, according to Burton:

Vine Street Market ends Oct. 21 and we will host our annual pumpkin decorating contest this day as well. All information and registration can be found at this link https://bit.ly/3RfRTkf

The Halloween Hunt Pub Crawl is Oct. 28 at 5 pm, tickets are live at https://ofallondowntowndistrict.regfox.com/halloween-hunt-pub-crawl

Vine Street Market will have a Thanksgiving Market on Nov. 18 from 9 a.m. until noon.

New this year is the Home for the Holidays event at the Vine Street Market and in the O’Fallon Downtown District on Dec. 9.

“This event is the combination of what was formerly Tinsel Around Town and Winter Market. The event will run from 2-6 p.m. and include many of the same beloved events from the past such as a large vendor market, performances by the OTHS Madrigals, live music, story time at the caboose, delicious food, and unique shopping with our downtown businesses,” she said. Follow along on social media in the event at https://fb.me/e/JsGA1p9c information will be added as we get closer to the event.

“Whitney Leidner is planning an amazing Witches and Wizards Festival,” Burton said.

It will take place on Saturday, Oct. 14 from 6 to 9 p.m. A costume contest, fire performers, tarot card readers, DJ for music, 50 themed vendors, food and beverage vendors and food trucks.

They anticipate 2,000 people.

For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/WitchesandWizardsFestiv/.