The VP Parade:
One of the oldest Independence Day traditions in St. Louis is the Veiled Prophet Parade. The 132nd annual parade will kick off at 10 a.m. on July 4. If you want a good spot along the parade route, it's best to get there early. Every year, thousands of visitors turn out to see the marching bands, giant balloons and colorful floats. This year's theme is "Everybody Needs a Vacation."The parade begins at Washington and 4th Street, makes its way south on 4th to Market Street, then heads west on Market to Union Station.
Food & Family Fun:
Food is always one of the big draws at Fair St. Louis. You'll find all kinds of foods to satisfy your tastes, including funnel cakes, corn dogs, gyros and fresh-squeezed lemonade. Most of the food booths and vendors set up along Leonor K. Sullivan Boulevard, so that's a good place to start. Another dining option on July 4 is the Sauce Cafe. One of St. Louis' top restaurants will be serving a sit- down dinner outside at the Archgrounds. The cost is $30 per person. Of course, there are also lots of fun restaurants in Laclede's Landing just north of the fairgrounds.The Fair also has an activity area for just for the kids. The K-Town Kids Zone will entertain your children with appearances from Circus Harmony, the St. Louis Rams Cheerleaders, the Show Me Sound Drumline and more. Kids and adults alike will also enjoy the high flying stunts of the Purina Incredible Dog Team. The dogs will perform on July 4 at 2:30 p.m., 4:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. The Kids Zone is located on Leonor K. Sullivan Boulevard near the entrance to Laclede's Landing.
Live Concerts:
Other than the Fair's fireworks, most crowds come to Fair St. Louis to see the live concerts. This year, there are three mainstage shows. The Counting Crows perform on July 3 at 8 p.m. Then on July 4, Nickelodeon stars Nat and Alex Wolff will perform at 1 p.m. In the evening, Train takes the stage at 8 p.m. The best seats for these free concerts are on the giant staircase leading up to the Arch from the riverfront. It's best to find your spot early because the stairs and the Archgrounds fill up quickly. For more free concerts this summer check out Live on the Levee.Fireworks Display:
Few locations make a better setting (or frame) for fireworks than the Gateway Arch. The display is set to music and each burst of fireworks reflects off the stainless steel Arch and echos off the buildings downtown.The show is scheduled to begin each night at about 9:15 p.m., but don't wait until the last minute to make your way downtown. The Archgrounds begin filling up hours earlier, with people staking out their spots with blankets and lawn chairs (by 8:45, most of the grass will be covered by a patchwork of blankets). The grass under the Gateway Arch is no doubt the best place to see the fireworks and hear the music, but if you don't make it in time, you can still see the fireworks all over downtown.
Parking and Transportation:
All of the entertainment and activities at the Fair are free, but be prepared to pay for parking. Expect to pay at least $20 to $25 for the parking lots and covered garages closest to the Archgrounds. One bright spot when it comes to parking, the Cardinals are out of town on July 3 and 4 so there won't be baseball traffic this year. Some good options for parking are the Stadium East and West garages near Busch Stadium, the S&H surface lots at 4th Street and Cerre, and the parking lots near Laclede's Landing and the Edward Jones Dome.Leaving the Fair:
However, it's higly recommended you skip the parking hassle altogether. After the fireworks, police direct all traffic into just a couple of routes leading out of downtown. It's not uncommon to wait 30 minutes just to exit the garage or lot, and another 30 minutes before you reach the highway.There are two ways you can avoid the frustration of sitting in traffic. The first option is to ride Metrolink to the Fair. The nearest stations are Laclede's Landing, 8th and Pine, and Busch Stadium. A one-way ticket is $2.25 for adults or $1.10 for seniors and children.
Or, if you did drive your own vehicle downtown, simply wait out the traffic. You can't hang around the Archgrounds (police move in quickly to clear everyone out), but you can make your way to one of the various restaurants, bars or lounges downtown or in Laclede's Landing for a drink, late meal or snack. Call ahead of time to see who's open late, who's kitchen will be open and even if they're taking reservations. Plan on the fireworks being over right at 10 p.m., and traffic clearing out by 11 p.m.
