Comic-inspired costumes, Kevin Bacon dishing out dog treats, sports trivia, and a holiday lights guide are just a sampling of the topics that were among stlmag.com's 10 most popular blog posts of the past year. Take a look back at 2013 in St. Louis with this retrospective:
10. Slideshow: Krewe of Barkus Beggin' Pet Parade 2013 (Look/Listen)
Pooches were on parade for the annual Beggin’ Pet Parade, despite the fact that the event fell on Super Bowl Sunday and there was snow on the ground. After all, there was the celeb factor: Kevin Bacon rode on a float, giving out dog treats, many of which featured an apt ingredient: bacon.
9. A Sneak Peek at La Pâtisserie Chouquette, Opening February 26 (Relish)
Just before the highly anticipated pastry shop opened, dining editor George Mahe shared a preview of the French-inspired La Pâtisserie Chouquette. It went on to become one of the most successful new bakeries of 2013.
8. Next Stop for Hendricks BBQ...Edwardsville (Relish)
Lauded as one of the hottest dining spots in the St. Louis region, Edwardsville, Ill. served as the new home for many dining destinations this past year. Restaurant mavericks Dr. Gurpreet Padda and Ami Grimes plan to open a second location of Hendrick's Smokehouse there in mid-2014.
7. Bring It, Rookie: Answers to Our Tough Sports Trivia Questions (SLM Daily)
Can you name the youngest player to be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame? What about the furthest round that the University of Missouri men’s basketball team has reached in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament? Test your sports savvy with questions and answers from the World’s Greatest Sports Trivia Championship, held at Chaifetz Arena in February 2013.
6. I Tried It: TITLE Boxing Club and The Boxing Gym (Take Care STL)
Did you ever watch Rocky and feel inspired to learn how to box? Former SLM assistant editor Rosalind Early tried her hand at two St. Louis boxing clubs, The Boxing Club and TITLE Boxing Gym, earlier this year. After learning the ins and outs of boxing at the high-intensity classes, she rated each location on convenience, atmosphere, friendliness, workout, and cost.
5. Slideshow: Archon 2013 (Look/Listen)
This fall, light-saber wielding, Mario mustache-wearing sci-fi and fantasy fans came together for the 37th Archon convention in Collinsville, Ill. Writer Thomas Crone was there to capture some of the standout costumes and lamented the loss of the sci-fi show Firefly.
4. Slideshow: Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con 2013 (Look/Listen)
Billy Dee Williams, who played Baron Lando Calrissian in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, was the headliner for this local Comic Con, filled with costumed comic fans.
3. Slideshow: Artica 2013 (Look/Listen)
A multi-disciplinary and participarty art festival and parade, Artica 2013 invited participants not only to view local art, but also to add to it. A typewriter provided a way for individuals to type their thoughts. Music group Johnny Vancouver invited concert-goers to add to their rock instrumentals. And an annual fire burn brought a crowd, which ran in circles around the flames.
2. Claus Schmitz Closes Two of Three Mosaic Restaurants (Relish)
One of the most surprising, dramatic pieces of restaurant news this year was the sudden closing of Mosaic Restaurant in Des Peres and downtown St. Louis. Owner Claus Schmitz explained that the closings were a consequence of a divorce that caused him to “lose focus” and decide to move to Australia to be closer to his daughters.
1. Nine Must-See Holiday Light Displays in St. Louis (SLM Daily)
So what was the most popular blog post of 2013? A recent round-up of holiday light displays, from the Missouri Botanical Garden's first-ever Garden Glow to Tilles Park's Winter Wonderland.
