COURTESY OF THE MISSOURI HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Soldiers Memorial Military Museum in downtown St. Louis
At the Court of Honor outside Soldiers Memorial Military Museum downtown, the Red & Black Brass Band starts off a morning of solemnities at 10 a.m. with remarks from veterans and luminaries, a salute, taps, and a procession and laying of wreaths. The Vietnam memorial on the site is being rededicated with a Reading of the Names. Visit the exhibition Vietnam: At War and At Home at Soldiers Memorial to learn more about the conflict.
All weekend, St. Louis’ most unusual museum welcomes active or retired members of the military with free admission alongside a paid admission. Beyond the wacky interactive exhibits and winding slides, the Midwest Winds, an ambassador of the Air Force Band of Mid-America, will be on hand Saturday at 2 p.m. The craft in Art City is “Badges of Honor.”
Alton Jaeger Guard Memorial Day
In 1868, local Union veterans in Alton mustered and paraded in front of the Alton National Cemetery, saluted, laid flowers on all of the solders' graves, and marched through the city, thus beginning their observance of Memorial Day. On Monday, members of the Re-Created Alton Jaeger Guard will portray them as they would have appeared during the Shiloh Campaign in 1862 and recreate that first day of remembrance. 7 a.m. Alton National Cemetery.
Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony
The city of Belleville is honoring fallen service people on Monday with a parade and ceremony. The parade steps off at 10 a.m. from N. 3rd at A Street to Walnut Hill Cemetery. The ceremony recognizing the fallen begins at 11 a.m. in the cemetery.
St. Louis County Greek Festival
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church presents a full weekend of food, dancing, and fun. Stop by 1755 Des Peres Road on Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m.–9 p.m. or Monday from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. There’s a beer garden, tavern, coffee house, church tours, and indoor and outdoor seating. Run or walk their 5K or 10K to help raise funds for Focus Gateway City. It’s the festival's first time back in person since the pandemic. (Note: The festival is cashless.)
The jam-packed Emerson Spring to Dance Festival returns for its 15th iteration, with a variety of styles and companies from across the country. Enjoy hoop dance from the Bay Area, flamenco from Miami, ballet from New York City, and more, including hometown favorites such as Big Muddy Dance Company, Grand Center Arts Academy, COCA’s Ballet Eclectica and STL Rhythm Collective. It’s a busy two days on Friday and Saturday, so visit the website to buy tickets and plan your visit to the Touhill Performing Arts Center.
St. Louis African Arts Festival
All weekend long, enjoy an entire continent’s worth of culture, entertainment, dance, and all sorts of glorious food. The African Heritage Association of St. Louis produces the three-day festival at the World’s Fair Pavilion in Forest Park. It’s a party with a purpose, celebrating the cultural contributions of African people and members of the African diaspora.
Party by the riverfront in St. Charles all weekend in celebration of Irish culture. In addition to live music and dancing, there will be a cultural exhibit, vendors, a Wee Folk Village, and information booths, including the Great Lakes Irish Wolfhound Association, where you can meet and great with some of the great shaggy lads.
