Independence Day 2009 in St. Louis means parades, music, fireworks and fun. There's always Fair St. Louis, but don't count out the parties thrown by smaller cities and communities. Webster Groves Community Days, for example, is one of the best (and best attended) 4th of July celebrations in the region. Bottom line, there are dozens of places to gather with family and friends to celebrate all things American. Of those dozens, here are my top recommedations on where to spend your 4th of July 2009 in the St. Louis area.
1. Fair St. Louis
Photo courtesy Celebrate St. Louis
Fair St. Louis festivities are July 3 & 4 on the Archgrounds and St. Louis Riverfront. The Fair opens Friday night at 6 p.m. and again at 11 a.m. on Saturday after the VP Parade. Kids will enjoy the games and crafts at the K-Town Kids Zone. There's fair food to fit any taste including burgers, brats and funnel cakes or treat yourself to a unique dining experience at the Sauce Cafe.
Most visitors plan their day around the free concerts and fireworks. The Counting Crows and Train are this year's headliners. And of course the Fair's fireworks display is not to be missed!
July 3, 2009
6 p.m. - Fair opens
8 p.m. - Counting Crows
9:15 p.m. - Fireworks
July 4, 2009
11 a.m. - Fair opens
1 p.m. - Nat & Alex Wolff
8 p.m. - Train
9:15 p.m. - Fireworks
Most visitors plan their day around the free concerts and fireworks. The Counting Crows and Train are this year's headliners. And of course the Fair's fireworks display is not to be missed!
July 3, 2009
6 p.m. - Fair opens
8 p.m. - Counting Crows
9:15 p.m. - Fireworks
July 4, 2009
11 a.m. - Fair opens
1 p.m. - Nat & Alex Wolff
8 p.m. - Train
9:15 p.m. - Fireworks
2. Webster Groves Community Days
One day just isn't enough to celebrate Independence Day in Webster Groves. Community Days is a four-day celebration featuring a carnival, BBQ, parade and fireworks. It's truly an old-fashioned event that draws visitors from around the St. Louis area. The festival's held July 1st through 4th at Memorial Park, just south of Interstate 44 off the Elm Avenue exit.July 1 & 2, 2009
4 p.m. - Festival opens
July 3, 2009
2 p.m. - Festival opens
9:30 p.m. - Fireworks preview
July 4, 2009
10 a.m. - Parade
11 a.m. - Festival opens
9:45 p.m. - Fireworks spectacular
3. St. Charles Riverfest
St. Charles has played an important role in American history and the town likes to show off its community pride at a three-day celebration called Riverfest. It's held each year in Frontier Park on the banks of the Missouri River. Riverfest has something for everyone, including a bluegrass music festival, carnival rides, a parade and two nights of fireworks.July 2, 2009
4:00 p.m. - Food booths open
4:30 p.m. - Bluegrass Music Festival
July 3 & 4, 2009
10 a.m. - Parade (July 4 only)
12:00 p.m. - Food booths & carnival open
9:20 p.m. - Fireworks
4. Alton's Mississippi River Fireworks Festival
Photo by Gene Kunz, courtesy the Alton Regional CVB
The town of Alton is a pure slice of Americana, so it's hard to find a better place for an Independence Day festival. Beyond the festival, there's plenty to see and do in and around town (see Top Things to Do Around Alton, Illinois). Plus, because Alton likes to hold its celebration July 3, you can hit another local celebration on the 4th.
Alton's Mississippi River Fireworks Festival is held at Riverfront Park. There's food, beer, live entertainment and a big fireworks display, set against the beautiful Clark Bridge.
July 3, 2009
5 p.m. - Grounds open
9 p.m. - Fireworks
Alton's Mississippi River Fireworks Festival is held at Riverfront Park. There's food, beer, live entertainment and a big fireworks display, set against the beautiful Clark Bridge.
July 3, 2009
5 p.m. - Grounds open
9 p.m. - Fireworks
5. Fireworks Over the Confluence, Grafton
After spending July 3 in Alton, you can drive "up stream" to Grafton, Illinois, and catch their festivities on the 4th. Grafton's another great place to grab a spot on the riverbank for 4th of July fireworks. And in Grafton, the fireworks display is over two great rivers, right at the the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois. Grafton's festival also includes live music, children's games and food and drink specials from Grafton area restaurants.July 4, 2009
All day
Fireworks at dark
6. Hertiage & Freedom Fest, O'Fallon, MO
O'Fallon, Missouri pulls out all the stops for its Heritage & Freedom Fest. The two-day celebration features an impressive line up of nationally known musicians, including Craig Morgan, Chris Young, Gavin DeGraw and Sister Hazel. Of course there's also a parade, a carnival, plenty of kids activities and tons of food. To top it off, the festival ends each night with fireworks.July 3, 2009
7 p.m. - Craig Morgan
9:00 p.m. - Chris Young
10:15 p.m. - Fireworks
July 4, 2009
9:30 a.m. - Parade
12:00 p.m. - Festival opens
4:00 p.m. - Elevation: U2 Tribute
6:15 p.m. - Sister Hazel
8:30 p.m. - Gavin DeGraw
9:45 p.m. - Fireworks
7. Fourth of July Celebration, Ellisville
For West County residents, Bluebird Park in Ellisville is the place to be on July 4. The event keeps with solid traditions, with vendors selling hot dogs, brats, ice cream and other favorite festival foods. There's also a special Independence Day ceremony with the Ellisville Police Department, followed by live music and fireworks.July 4, 2009
6 p.m. - Celebration begins
7 p.m. - Independence Day ceremony
9:30 p.m. - Fireworks
8. Rockin' on the Landing
July 4 on Laclede's Landing is filled with live music, food and drinks. Top local bands will be playing on outdoor stages from noon until 9 p.m. Street vendors will be selling all kinds of food or you can always stop in at one of the Landing's many restaurants like Morgan Street Brewery, Hannegan's or Jake's Steaks. The Landing is also a great location to watch the fireworks from Fair St. Louis.July 4, 2009
Noon - Live music begins
9. Gateway City BBQ Festival
Few things are more American than bar-b-que, and you can sample some of the best around at the Gateway City BBQ Festival on July 3rd and 4th at the Old Rock House. Nearly two dozen teams are competing for $2,500 in cash and prizes. Spectators also get the chance to judge during the People's Choice contest Saturday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Old Rock House is known for its live music and there will be plenty of it during the festival from bands like Paint the Earth and That '80's Band.July 3 & 4, 2009
2 p.m. - People's Choice competition (July 4 only)
10. Fireworks Over Chesterfield
The City of Chesterfield is hosting its annual 4th of July celebration in the parking lot at Chesterfield Mall. Everyone is invited to bring lawn chairs and spread out at the main viewing area between Dillards and Macy's. There are also activities for the kids and food for sale, but you can also bring your own eats. The evening ends with a traditional fireworks display.July 4, 2009
6:30 p.m. - Smash Band performs
7 p.m. - Children's entertainment begins
9:30 p.m. - Fireworks
