The City of Festus was incorporated in 1887 originally as a fourth class city with a Mayor and Board of Aldermen.  During the 1930's, the City elected to change to a third class city with a city council form of government.  Council members serve two year terms and the Mayor, who is elected city-wide, serves a four year term.  In 1976 the city again reconstituted itself, electing to establish a Mayor/Council/Administrator form of government.  The City of Festus has eight city council members serving four wards.

The City of  Festus offers numerous municipal services:

• Police Department
• Fire Department
• Water and Sewer
• Street Maintenance
• Parks and Recreation
• Library
• Airport
• Municipal Court

Additionally, a new sewage treatment plant, a new drinking water plant and a Corps of Engineers levee were built in recent years.  The City of Festus has a strong reputation for being progressive and has continued to live up to that reputation throughout its 120 year history.

Origin of the Name of Festus

The City of Festus is named after a Roman official of biblical times, Porcius Festus who lived in the first century A.D.  According to the Acts of the Apostles, one of the very first things Festus does as soon as he arrives in Judea is to deal with the apostle Paul's confinement.  He traveled to Jerusalem to hear the case against Paul.  After about nine days, Festus returned to the capital, Caesarea, to preside over the trial of the apostle.  In an effort to appease Paul's accusers, Festus asks Paul of he would go to Jerusalem to answer the charges against him, but he wisely declines as a Roman citizen to appeal his trial to the Emperor Nero.  Festus, as is noted in Acts 26:31, believed that Paul was innocent, but he couldn't release him without causing riots and possibly Paul's murder.

Other than this incident in the first few days of his procuratorship, Festus has little recoded about him.  In 62 A.D. he died, presumably of natural causes, the only procurator to have died in office.

Local historians tell us that the name Festus was chosen when a group of promenant citizens gathered to choose a new name for the growing town.  A bible was opened to a random page and Mrs. Elizabeth Posch, with eyes closed, ran her finger down the page and stopped at the name Festus.  Thus, Tanglefoot  became the City of Festus.

CHECK OUT OUR BEAUTIFUL NEW LIBRARY
LOCATED AT 400 WEST MAIN STREET

 FESTUS LIBRARY SUMMER READING PROGRAM

Children of all ages (preschool through high school) may sign up for the Summer Reading Program beginning June 1st.  Children have until August 15th to complete the reading requirements and will be awarded prizes.  The summer program will conclude with an ice cream sundae party for those who participated.

Story times for preschool children and also for children going into 1st through 3rd grade will be held every Thursday morning at 10:30 a.m.

The "David Tower Magic Show" will perform July 16th at 1:00 p.m.  Other programs will be held throughout the summer.  Check your local paper for activities and dates.

If you live in the City of Festus you must show proof of residency to be issued a card.  Families living outside the city limits may purchase a card for a $20.00 yearly fee.  This includes checking out books, magazines, DVDs, videos and computer use.

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 GOT A TRAFFIC CITATION?

You can now pay your traffic tickets On-line using a credit or debit card
Go To:  www.FESTUSTIX.com
or call 1-800-701-8560

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STREET IMPROVEMENT UPDATE 2009

You can see a complete list of all of the street improvements scheduled for this year, as well as their current status, by clicking News and then Projects on the bar below the City of Festus logo at the top of this page.