Florissant Old Town Partners Celebrates 20^th Anniversary

   It started with just three determined ladies, Geri Debo, Rosemary Davidson, and Mary Kay Gladbach who wanted to increase the awareness of the historic district founded by the French and Spanish, and the importance of preservation.

In these 20 years there has been eight board of director presidents who have led the board and members to many accomplishments such as:

• Spanish Land Grant Park was established in 1997 along with the City of Florissant, and raised three flags: Spanish, French and United States representing the three nations that governed the area in the 1800s, which then became the City’s seal.
• Grants were applied for to purchase and install the lights at the park by Old St. Ferdinand Shrine, the lamppost lights on St. Francois Street, Christmas garland, and the first Old Town flags for the posts.
• The current Girardier House was gifted to Old Town Partners and moved from Boone and St. Catherine Streets to the current location on St. Charles Street on Oct. 18, 1998 making this the home office for Old Town Partners and Valley of Flowers groups.
• In 1998 Geri Debo and Lora Click thought a Fall Festival would be a great event. The mayor said they had to get approval of all of the businesses along St. Francois which they did going door-to-door.

The first year in 1996 it started with just a few bales of hay, crafters, music and look what it has become today, drawing ten of thousands of visitors and it gets bigger each year.

• Christmas in Old Town was another idea the businesses helped with. There was a parade, carolers, Santa, and so much more. Today FOTP sponsor the Christmas in Old Town with coordination and help of the city.
• Wednesday Nights Out started about ten years ago as an idea to get people out as a community to meet new friends and have fun. FOTP now has five Wednesday Night Outs that everyone enjoys.
• FOTP have sponsored the painting of murals on St. Francois, walking tours, flea markets, Pancake Breakfasts, Valley of Flowers Car Show, Pond and Barn tours, Deck the Doors contest, Deer Widows Girls Night Out, and Small Business Saturday.

Old Town Partners has worked together with other organizations such as Old St. Ferdinand Shrine, Historic Florissant Inc., Florissant Valley Historical Society, Rotary Club, Knights of Columbus, VFW Post 4105, The Elks, City of Florissant, Florissant Valley Fire District and many of the businesses in Florissant to support our history and community events.

   20^TH BIRTHDAY CUPCAKES: Diana Weidinger and Brenda Cooper offered special 20^th anniversary Old Partners cookies at the August  Wednesday Night Out street party. Diana is co-chair of the Fall Festival and Brenda is the new FOTP and Valley of Flowers coordinator. Brenda made these cookies, through her Simply Shortbread by Brenda home business.    Bob Lindsay Photo

Share on Facebook

Tweet

Follow us