Fair Saint Louis

Fair Saint Louis in 2014

Fair Saint Louis[1] is an annual festival held during the July 4 holiday in downtown St. Louis, Missouri historically at the Gateway Arch National Park (previously known as the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial). In 2014–2017, the events are being held in Forest Park on Art Hill instead, due to construction at the Gateway Arch.[2] The event drew approximately 250,000 people to Forest Park - more than any event in more than a century.[3][4] Some call it "America's Biggest Birthday Party". The event showcases a variety of attractions, educational activities, Family Festival Zone, stage featuring national headlining entertainment, and an enormous fireworks display held nightly. Admission into Fair Saint Louis is free.

Background

In 1981, St. Louis businessman Robert R. Hermann organized a group of civic leaders from the Veiled Prophet Organization to create an event that would unite the region in a joint effort to promote St. Louis to the country and the world. With the help of 100 community leaders and approximately 1,000 volunteers, the first three-day V.P. Fair was held on the St. Louis Riverfront July 3-5, 1981. The 90-acre Gateway Arch National Park, with the majestic Gateway Arch provided the perfect setting for what was to become known as "America's Biggest Birthday Party." Under the leadership of Mel Loewenstein, September 1994 the V.P. Fair name changed to Fair Saint Louis In the face of increasing criticism of using civic resources to support a socially exclusive organization. This new title more effectively showcases the civic pride and spirit of the people of the St. Louis region. The name Fair Saint Louis acknowledges this event is produced by St. Louisans, for St. Louisans and their guests from all over the world. Support from both local and national sponsors enables the Fair to bring the best entertainment to St. Louis each year. The Fair combined live music and entertainment with educational activities, delicious food and magnificent fireworks to bring multiple days of fun to St. Louis. Entertainers such as Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Bob Hope, The Beach Boys, Ray Charles, Elton John, and The Black Eyed Peas have participated, as have political leaders including then Vice President George Bush, his wife Barbara, and former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Warren Burger.

The Fair Saint Louis Foundation, formed to organize and operate the Fair each year, has donated numerous gifts to the St. Louis community in conjunction with the Fair. Over the years, the Foundation has contributed the lighting of the Eads Bridge, the Mississippi River Overlook, the mile-long Riverfront Promenade, and was a partner in providing two Grand Staircases beneath the Arch as a part of the National Park system.

2017 Performers

July 2

  • SuperDuperKyle
  • Akon

July 3

  • Eve 6
  • Sister Hazel
  • 3 Doors Down

July 4

  • Matt Stillwell
  • Dan + Shay
  • Jake Owen

2016 Performers

July 2

  • Mo Pitney
  • LOCASH
  • Bobby Bones And The Raging Idiots
  • Lee Brice

July 3

  • Cowboy Mouth
  • Eddie Money
  • Sammy Hagar And The Circle

July 4

  • Here Come the Mummies
  • George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic
  • Flo Rida

2015 Performers

July 2

  • Natalie Stovall and The Drive
  • Parmalee
  • Chris Young

July 3

  • Noah Guthrie
  • The Mowgli's
  • American Authors
  • Blondie
  • Melissa Etheridge

July 4

  • Kbeeta
  • Dirty Muggs
  • MC Lyte
  • Tony! Toni! Toné!
  • Morris Day and The Time
  • Kool & The Gang

2014 Performers

The entertainment lineup for Fair Saint Louis 2014 was as follows.[5] Fair St. Louis schedule (.PDF)

July 3

July 4

July 5

2013 Performers

The lineup for the 2013 Fair St. Louis Musical Schedule was as follows:[6]

July 4

July 5

July 6

See also

References

  1. ↑ https://www.questia.com/read/1P2-32896432/profits-of-change-vp-fair-revises-name-to-broaden
  2. ↑ "Forest Park presents new opportunities for Fair St. Louis". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. June 26, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Fair St. Louis in Forest Park drew thousands without the traffic headaches". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. July 5, 2014.
  4. ↑ http://www.fairsaintlouis.org/fair-saint-louis-draws-250000-forest-park/ Fair Saint Louis Draws 250,000 to Forest Park
  5. ↑ "Fair St. Louis in Forest Park gets off to a smooth start". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. July 3, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Fair St. Louis Music Schedule". July 2013. Archived from the original on 2013-07-12.
  • Spencer, Thomas M. The St. Louis Veiled Prophet Celebration: Power on Parade, 1877-1995 (University of Missouri Press: 2000).


  • Veiled Prophet Grand March music by 19th century St. Louis composer J. W. Postlewaite
  • "Veiled Prophet photographs". University of Missouri–St. Louis.

Coordinates: 38°37′27″N 90°11′01″W / 38.62428°N 90.18368°W / 38.62428; -90.18368

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