Q:

Does it cost anything for carnival rides?

A:

Yes, there is a nominal fee for rides. Tickets must be purchased on-site at ticket booths. You may also save time and money by purchasing carnival tickets in advance! Half-price carnival tickets are available June 13 - June 30 at the O'Fallon Parks and Recreation Office and Renaud Spirit Center.

Q:

Can I refund any unused tickets?

A:

No, tickets are purchased through the carnival company; therefore, the City cannot provide refunds.

Q:

What times are bands performing on the Main Stage?

A:

A complete schedule of entertainment can be found here.

Q:

Are the concerts free?

A:

Yes! The Heritage & Freedom Fest hosts national entertainment free of charge.

Q:

How can I get my band to perform at Heritage & Freedom Fest?

A:

To be considered as an entertainer for the festival, please mail a demo/press kit to: Heritage & Freedom Festival, 100 North Main Street, O’Fallon, MO 63366. Electronic versions can be emailed to – msteinmann@ofallon.mo.us.

Q:

Will there be fireworks at Heritage & Freedom Fest?

A:

Yes, there will be a fireworks display each night. On July 3, the display will begin at 10:15 p.m. On July 4, the display will begin at 9:45 p.m. There are no fireworks on July 2.

Q:

Who conducts the fireworks display?

A:

Both displays are conducted by J&M Displays.

Q:

How close can I be to the fireworks?

A:

Viewers must remain at least 600 feet from the point of launch. Please follow the direction of the O’Fallon Police, staff and volunteers. Do not trespass onto closed areas or roads.

Q:

Can I watch the display from Westhoff Park?

A:

The best place to view the display is from the festival grounds; however, Westhoff Park (which is closed for handicapped parking during the day) will be accessible approximately 30 minutes before the fireworks display. For safety reasons, viewers at Westhoff Park must stay away from the clearly marked fireworks perimeter.

Q:

How much does it cost to enter the Heritage & Freedom Fest?

A:

Nothing! It is free to attend.

Q:

What are the hours of the festival?

A:

On July 3 the festival grounds are open from Noon - 11 p.m. On July 4 the hours are Noon - 10 p.m.

Q:

Can I bring my pet to the festival?

A:

No. Per City ordinance: Persons are hereby prohibited from bringing animals of any type, with the exception of Police dogs and seeing eye dogs, into any City park during any City sponsored festival or celebration, such as the Fourth of July or Celebration of Lights unless written permission is received from the Director of Parks or Board. This includes any pets on leashes.  (R.O. 2007 §210.120; Ord. No. 1929 §§2--3, 6-6-91)

Q:

What do I do if I feel overheated or light-headed?

A:

Visit our Air Conditioned Tent located near the festival entrance to cool down and get a drink of water. Or visit EMS, also located near the festival entrance.

Q:

Do you offer recycling at the festival?

A:

Yes, recycle containers are located near all trash cans on the festival grounds. Most "trash" – cans, bottles, paper plates, napkins, foil, boxes and cartons - can be placed in these containers. However, please throw food and plastic bags in the trash can next to the recycle bin, as they're not recyclable.

Q:

Do you accept tokens from previous festivals?

A:

No. Tokens are no longer accepted as payment for food, beverages or carnival tickets.

Q:

Is there a list of things that cannot be brought on festival grounds?

A:

Yes. Items NOT permitted on the festival grounds include: personal fireworks, pets and animals – unless they are service animals, glass containers of any kind, bikes, skateboards, skates, and firearms.

Q:

Can I bring a cooler to the festival?

A:

Yes. However, no glass containers are allowed and contents are subject to search by the O’Fallon Police Department. Motorized coolers are NOT allowed.

Q:

What is the cost of activities in the Kids' Area?

A:

Nothing! All activities located in the Kids' Area are completely free.

Q:

What is there to do in the Kids' Area?

A:

There is plenty to do for kids of all ages. Click here for details.

Q:

What time is the Kids' Area open?

A:

From Noon - 9:45 p.m. on July 3 and Noon - 9 p.m. on July 4.

Q:

Who do I contact regarding a news story?

A:

Please contact Tom Drabelle, Director of Public Relations, at tdrabelle@ofallon.mo.us or 636-379-5508.

Q:

When is the parade being held?

A:

The parade will be Monday, July 4 at 9:30 a.m. Depending on where you view it from, the parade typically lasts 2 to 2 1/2 hours.

Q:

What happens if it rains?

A:

The parade is held rain or shine.

Q:

What is the route of the parade?

A:

The 2.1-mile parade route begins at Main and Third streets, travels north on Main Street, turns east on Tom Ginnever Ave. and ends at T.R. Hughes Blvd.

Q:

How early do I need to arrive to get a good view?

A:

Some spectators begin arriving around 7:30 – 8 a.m.

Q:

Who hosts the parade?

A:

The parade is coordinated by the City of O'Fallon with great assistance from many volunteers.

Q:

Is the parade going to be on TV?

A:

Yes, the parade is aired on the City’s government access cable and O'FallonTV.

Q:

Can I bring my dog to the parade?

A:

No. Due to the large crowds and extreme weather, pets are prohibited unless they are service animals.

Q:

Are there going to be fireworks at the parade?

A:

No, but there will be a spectacular fireworks display on the Festival Grounds on July 3 at 10:15 p.m. and July 4 at 9:45 p.m.

Q:

How do I get involved?

A:

To assist with the parade, contact Volunteer Services at 636-379-5507 or volunteer@ofallon.mo.us.

Q:

Where can I get a parade application?

A:

Applications are available online (PDF) or in-person at the Parks and Recreation Department or City Hall. Call 636-379-5614 to have an application mailed to you.

Q:

What is the deadline for submitting an application?

A:

Applications are due no later than Friday, May 20 at Noon.

Q:

Are there published rules for parade entries?

A:

Yes, rules for the parade can be found here.

Q:

Can I still get in the parade this year if I missed the deadline?

A:

Yes, if space is still available.

Q:

When and where are parade meetings held?

A:

The mandatory parade lineup meeting will be held in the Multi-purpose Room of City Hall on Wednesday, June 22 at 6:30 p.m. Only one person from each entry is required to attend, though it is helpful for the float driver to attend as well.

Q:

Where will my entry be in the parade?

A:

The parade lineup will be decided by the Parade Team, you will receive your lineup assignment at the mandatory meeting on June 22.

Q:

I am a participant in the parade. Can I park my car in the parade lineup area?

A:

No. Depending on which section you are assigned to, you will receive parking options. These will be discussed at the mandatory meeting on June 22 and disclosed in your information packet.

Q:

Where can I drop off people who will be participating in the parade?

A:

This depends on your lineup location. Section 1 entries can drop off parade participants at the parking lot located near the railroad tracks at the intersection of Sonderen and Wabash streets. Section 2 - Section 4 participants can drop off participants at the lot behind McGurks – located at Main and Elm streets.

Q:

Can my dog walk in the parade with my entry?  

A:

No, unless the dog is a service animal. The pavement gets very hot during the 2.1-mile parade route and may burn the pads of a dog's feet.

Q:

I have questions regarding my application, who do I contact?

A:

Please contact Megan Steinmann at msteinmann@ofallon.mo.us or 636-379-5574.

Q:

Where do I park?

A:

General parking is available at Fort Zumwalt North High School and Christian High School (both on Tom Ginnever Ave.).

Disabled parking is available only at Westhoff Park (located at St. Matthew and Eggering). Patrons must have a handicapped plate or permit to enter this lot. Shuttles will then provide service to and from the festival entrance.

Q:

What is Premium Parking?

A:

Get to (and leave) the festival faster! Available on a first-come, first-serve basis, premium parking at T.R. Hughes Ballpark west parking lot is $5 per vehicle. If you leave the lot, then wish to re-enter, you must pay again.

Q:

Will there be shuttle buses?

A:

Yes. Free air-conditioned shuttles will operate from Fort Zumwalt North and Christian high schools, dropping patrons off on T.R. Hughes Blvd. From there, patrons may either walk to the festival entrance.

Q:

What does my contribution go towards?

A:

Your contribution will assist with providing free quality services, activities and entertainment for Heritage & Freedom Fest.

Q:

Who do I contact to contribute?

A:

To become Heritage & Freedom Fest sponsor, contact Marsha Seymour at mseymour@ofallon.mo.us or 636-379-5502. Find out more here.