Photography by Kent Burgess
Festival season officially kicks off this Labor Day weekend, with a string of great festivals and no shortage of the blues.
Japanese Festival | August 31–September 2
Enjoy a Labor Day weekend filled with Japanese history and culture at the Missouri Botanical Gardens. The Garden has hosted the three-day Japanese Festival, featuring art, dance, food, and entertainment since 1977. The event will showcase sumo wrestling and martial arts demonstrations, taiko drumming performances, bonsai displays and local vendors selling Japanese food and souvenirs. The Teahouse Island of the Japanese Garden will be open for guided tours during the event as well. $10, Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw.
Saint Charles Riverfest | August 30 & 31
Rescheduled due to this summer's earlier flooding of Frontier Park, Saint Charles Riverfest takes over historic St. Charles this weekend. The two-day festival offers music, entertainment, and family-friendly activities, including the Fountain City Amusements Carnival, the Bubble Bus, Way Cool Balloons, and fireworks. Live performances by A.D.D. Band, Well Hungarians, Ticket to the Beatles, Superjam, and more will play throughout the night. Free. 230 S. Main, St. Charles.
Rob Thomas | September 1
Whether you love him for his Matchbox Twenty days or his time as a solo crooner, Rob Thomas kind of has a song for everyone. According to reports of other shows on his tour with singer Max Frost, Thomas will play a 20-plus song set with solo hits and with unforgettable Matchbox Twenty jams. Fingers crossed for a rendition of "3AM." $27.50–$127.50. 7:30 p.m. Stifel Theatre, 1400 Market.
Blues, Brews & BBQ Festival | August 31
As the name implies, three St. Louis favorites come together in downtown Clayton this Saturday from noon–5 p.m. Sample brews from some of the region's newest breweries (Wild Sun Brewing, Melvin Brewing, Brew Hub Taproom, Peel Brewing, and more), try top-notch 'cue (Adam's Smokehouse, The Wood Shack, Oceano Bistro, Super Smokers), and enjoy music from Blues City Swing. $35. Downtown Clayton.
Big Muddy Blues Festival | August 31
This Saturday morning, pay a visit to the National Blues Museum. Then grab lunch nearby, and stroll down to Laclede's Landing to see some of those blues legends in person. Big George Brock, Uvee Hayes, Marquise Knox, David Dee, and more perform soul-stirring sets on a memorable day near the Mississippi. Free. 2–11 p.m. Laclede's Landing.
Check out SLM's online calendar for additional events including PointFest's WayBack Weekend at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, Big Muddy Blues Festival, Clayton's Brews, Blues + BBQ Festival, and more.
