Eckert's Apple Fest | September 21 & 22
Head on down to Eckert's Millstadt Farm for family fun this Saturday and Sunday. Farm activities include pony and wagon rides, apple picking, goat feeding, and more. Don't miss the children's carnival and live entertainment. Have your pick of funnel cakes and caramel apples. And calling all St. Louis Blues fans: Blues Day is this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kick it with the Blue Crew or go up against the Blues Street Team on the inflatable obstacle course. $1 from every ticket purchased will go toward the Blues for Kids Foundation. Blues Day tickets are $13, Apple Fest is free. Eckert’s Millstadt Fun Farm, 2719 Eckert Orchard, Millstadt, Illinois.
The Great Forest Park Balloon Race | September 20 & 21
This year's 47th Great Forest Park Balloon Race is back and ready to take flight. To start it all off the Balloon Glow, a lighting of the balloons described as a firefly-like glow will be featured on Friday as well as live entertainment from Boogie Chyld and fireworks presented by PNC Bank. Don't forget to check out Saturday for skydivers and the highly anticipated The Hare and Hound Balloon Race. Free. Forest Park, 5595 Grand.
Bookfest St. Louis | September 21
An ideal day for a book lover? Bookfest St. Louis. In the heart of Central West End in the "Writer's Corner," the event will bring diverse renowned literary authors both locally and internationally. Event-goers can enjoy a series of panels featuring contemporary literary fiction as well as poetry, mystery, memoir, history, science fiction, and young adult fiction. A variety of family-fun activities such as literary crafts and music performed in the McPherson/Euclid festival zone will be open to the public. Free.Central West End.
Greater St. Louis Hispanic Festival | September 20–22
Move your hips to live Latino bands performing merengue, Latin rock, salsa and more at the Greater St. Louis Hispanic Festival. Held in Soulard Park, the event is rich with culture and is aimed to bring awareness to the regions cultural contributions from Hispanic artists, musicians, dancers, and chefs. Enjoy foods and drinks from Latin and South American countries such as Belize, Dominican Republic, Argentina, Mexico and more. Hours are Friday, September 20 and Saturday, September 21 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, September 22 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Free. 63104 Soulard Park, near 7th Street and Lafayette next to the Soulard Market.
Chorus: Bethany Collins | September 6–December 29
Artist Bethany Collins displays Chorus, an exhibition that explains "erasure leads to exposure" and expresses the meaning of language through American history and the distinction between racial and national identities. Free. Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, 3750 Washington.
