When the roar of engines echoes off the courthouse square later this month, Perryville will find itself on a national stage. The Fireball Run, a no-holds-barred adventure series that blends high-octane road rallying with a heartfelt mission, will make Perryville one of its featured destinations on Sept. 25-26.
“This is an incredible opportunity for Perryville,” said Trish Erzfeld, Perry County tourism director. “We’re being highlighted not just as a stop on a show, but as a community with history, charm and energy that people all across the country will get to see.”
More than a rally, Fireball Run has been described as part race, part scavenger hunt and part reality TV show. Thirty teams made up of astronauts, actors, corporate leaders, and adventure seekers will tackle nearly 2,000 miles across America, following cryptic clues that lead them into towns like Perryville.
The series ran for 11 seasons on Amazon Prime and is returning this year as a social-media-driven phenomenon. But what makes Fireball Run unique isn’t just the competition. Since 2007, each team has carried posters of missing children, distributing thousands of them along their route.
That effort has helped recover 53 kids over the years.
“It’s exciting, it’s entertaining, but at its heart, Fireball Run is about something bigger,” Erzfeld said. “They’re raising awareness for missing children, and that’s a mission that goes far beyond any finish line.”
BIG NAMES, BIG ENERGY
Perryville’s stop will bring with it a lineup of personalities. Bruce Melnick, a former NASA astronaut, is among this year’s participants. So is actor Christopher McDonald — best known to movie fans as Shooter McGavin in Happy Gilmore — along with WWE star Titus O’Neil (Thaddeus Bullard), Claudia Wells from 1985’s Back to the Future, and entrepreneur Joe Hessling, CEO of 365 Retail Markets.
“When people see the names involved, they realize this is not just another car rally,” Erzfeld said. “These are folks with remarkable stories who will be meeting our residents, eating in our restaurants and experiencing Perryville for themselves.”
WHAT TO EXPECT IN PERRYVILLE
The Fireball Run convoy is expected to arrive between 5 and 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 25. Teams will park their vehicles around the city square before gathering at the adjacent Perryville Plaza. That evening, participants will take part in the Taste of Perryville, giving visitors a chance to rub elbows with drivers and sample local fare. Tickets for the Taste are still available through the Downtown Perryville Alliance.
On Friday morning, Sept. 26, the adventure continues. The green flag will wave as the teams depart Perryville for their next undisclosed destination. Residents are encouraged to line the streets and give the competitors a send-off they won’t forget as they travel to a total of 12 locations to fulfill their challenges, missions, and to gain extra points for this leg of the race..
“This is our chance to show our hospitality and our spirit,” Erzfeld said. “When those teams roll out Friday morning, I want them to remember the energy of Perryville.”
A PARTY FOR THE COMMUNITY
The Fireball Run stopover isn’t just about what happens during the day. On Thursday night, the fun continues downtown with an after-party in the Warehouse Entertainment District. The event will feature live music by The Fry Project, food trucks, pop-up shops and yard games, and is free to the public. “Whether you’re a car enthusiast, a music lover or just someone who wants to be part of something special, there’s something here for everyone,” Erzfeld said.
WHY PERRYVILLE?
Producers select host towns carefully, looking for places with stories to tell. Perryville’s combination of history, small-town character and civic pride made it a perfect fit. “They saw in Perryville what we’ve always known,” Erzfeld said. “This is a place with heart. We honor our past, but we’re also looking to the future, and Fireball Run is a chance to share that story with a wider audience.”
And that spotlight has lasting benefits. Past host cities have seen boosts in tourism and national attention long after the cameras left. “This isn’t just a one-time event,” Erzfeld added. “It’s a platform to showcase who we are. That exposure could ripple for years.”
JOIN THE ACTION
Organizers are seeking local volunteers to help with production and crowd coordination. Fans can also follow the action on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, X and Facebook at @fireballrun. For Erzfeld, the most important thing is that the community turns out. “Let’s pack the square, wave the flags, and give the world a taste of Perryville pride,” she said. “This is our moment to shine.”
