Can not get event categories in home page search drop down

I previously posted a ticket but it got closed so I am reopening this one. I have been playing with this for hours and can not figure this out. Is there a way to add the event categories I created to the drop down list on the home page of supreme theme? (see attachment)

I was told to go here previously
https://wpgeodirectory.com/docs/search-filters-overview/#filter

But when doing it this way it does not add the event categories to the drop down but just a sub menu option when I click on the gear icon. This is not what I want. I want the event categories to show up in the main drop down where places and event show up. To be honest I would like to remove “places and events” from the drop down and just have the event categories to show. I am even close to just out sourcing this if I can not figure it out.