Cyclists Roll Out Early Saturday for 11th Annual Bottleneck Ride
Festus, MO · October 9, 2026
Toss a light jacket in the passenger seat before heading out today. Between football under the stadium lights tonight and cyclists hitting the blacktop tomorrow morning, the weekend is already in motion.
The Lead
The 11th Annual Bottleneck Bridge Ride takes over local roadways Saturday morning, sending hundreds of bicyclists across scenic routes ranging from a family-friendly 14-mile loop to a grueling 62-mile metric century. Organized alongside Trailnet, the ride starts and finishes along Main Street, guiding participants past rolling farmland, steep valley climbs, and designated rest stops at regional wineries before feeding directly into afternoon celebrations downtown.
For residents and motorists, the influx means rolling delays and increased bicycle traffic on county roads throughout the morning hours. Local volunteers and ride marshals will direct riders through key intersections, with the earliest waves pushing off at 8:00 AM. Whether you are tackling the hill climbs or simply heading out for morning errands, keep a sharp eye on the pavement tomorrow.
Local Pulse
Jefferson County Restores Systems After Network Outage Safety County offices work to restore phone lines and payment processing after taking digital networks offline to investigate suspicious activity.
Fuel Cards Support Visitors at Local Pantries Community A private donation supplies 128 prepaid gas cards to regional pantries, helping area residents travel to essential appointments.
Council Shifts Next Session to Late October City Hall Municipal leaders cancel Monday's meeting for the civic holiday, deferring upcoming agenda items to their October 26th regular gathering.
Today's Outlook
- High 89°F · Low 51°F — Clear
- Grab a morning jacket, but expect afternoon warmth under clear skies all day.
What's On Around Town
Today
Lenhard Family Halloween Light Show Larry G. Crites Memorial Park, 7:00–10:00 PM · Free Drive through synchronized musical light displays illuminating the park grounds.
Festus Tigers vs. Hannibal Festus High School (501 Westwind Dr), 7:00 PM · Paid Pack the bleachers for senior night under Friday night lights.
Halloween Nights at Grant's Farm Grant's Farm (7385 Grant Rd), St. Louis, 6:00–10:00 PM · Paid Spooky nighttime tram rides, glowing scenes, and fall farm fun.
Tomorrow
- Cars & Coffee Car Show Faith Baptist Church (11835 Highway CC), 8:00–10:00 AM · Free
- Main & Mill StreetFest Main & Mill Brewing Company (240 E Main St), Noon–11:00 PM · Free
- Hillsboro Horse Show & Fall Festival Jefferson County Fairgrounds (10349 Business 21), Hillsboro, 11:00 AM–6:00 PM · $5
Sunday
- Crystal City Farmers Market 102 N Truman Blvd, Crystal City, 10:00 AM–2:00 PM · Free
- Fall Festival at Brookdale Farms Brookdale Farms (8004 Twin River Rd), Eureka, 10:00 AM–6:00 PM · Paid
- Old Town Oktoberfest Downtown Eureka, Eureka, 1:00–6:00 PM · Free
Spotlight & Story
- Selma Hall
- Perched on the river bluffs just south of town, this 1854 Italianate estate—locally dubbed Kennett’s Castle—was designed by St. Louis architect George I. Barnett. Its striking four-story tower was crafted from quarried native limestone, surviving both Civil War cannonballs and a 1939 fire.
Festus Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.
Sent with care by MailerDot — your city, every morning.