Bottle rockets are a whirl and firecrackers can still make us jump, but no amount of tent-sale flash powder could drench us with awe the way that the finale of a professional fireworks show can. Fourth of July celebrations are popping off this week and weekend throughout the St. Louis metro area with parades, music, carnival rides, and, of course, fireworks displays.
For many of us, celebrating the Fourth is synonymous with watching gargantuan plumes of red, white, and blue cinders burst overhead and reflect everywhichway off the Gateway Arch. But renovations to the Arch grounds for the ArchCityRiver project this year have caused Fair St. Louis to shift its festival grounds to Forest Park, near Art Hill.
The three-day festival includes free concerts from The Band Perry, Bonnie Raitt, and The Fray, as well as a performance by a high-wire circus troupe and a routine in the Grand Basin by the Lake St. Louis Water Ski Club. The fair is offering parking at lots inside the park and in neighboring areas, but street parking is not allowed. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch has thrown together a nifty map to show where parking will be available.
Fireworks are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 10 p.m. Not one for crowds? KTVI Fox 2 will stream the Fair St. Louis fireworks display.
Fair St. Louis may be the Main Event of local fireworks displays, but the metro area offers many alternatives to the traffic and crowds expected in Forest Park.
Where: Liberty Bank Alton Amphitheater, 1 Riverfront Drive
Fireworks: 9:15 p.m. Thursday
What Else: Fireworks Over the Mississippi features live music starting at 5 p.m.
Where: Paul A. Schroeder Park 359 Old Meramec Station
Fireworks: 9:15 p.m. Friday
What Else: Live music by Sh-Boom from 6 to 9 p.m.
Where: Bridgeton Municipal Athletic Complex, 13161 Taussig
Fireworks: Dusk on Friday
What Else: Live music, food, and clowns beginning at 6 p.m.
Where: The Chesterfield Mall parking lot, between Dillard's and Macy’s.
Fireworks: 9:15 p.m. Friday
What Else: Chesterfield’s Annual 4th of July Celebration includes children’s activities, food, and live music by the Vote for Pedro Band beginning at 7 p.m.
Where: Lions Park, 400 Bald Hill
Fireworks: 9:30 p.m. Friday
What Else: Children’s activities open at 7 p.m. Live music by Borderline starts at 7:30 p.m.
Where: James J. Eagan Civic Center grounds in Florissant Valley Park, at the intersection of Parker and Waterford
Fireworks: Dusk on Friday
What Else: Live music
Where: Coolidge Middle School grounds at 3231 Nameoki
Fireworks: 9:15 Friday
What else: Patriots in the Park has been going since Tuesday and finishes Saturday. The festival includes carnival rides, food, live music, a softball tournament, car show, and 5K race.
Where: Kirkwood Park, 111 S. Geyer
Fireworks: Dusk on Friday
What Else: Live music by Fanfare at 7 p.m.
Where: Veterans Memorial Amphitheater in Jefferson Barracks County Park, 345 North
Fireworks: Dusk on Friday
What Else: JB Blast features live music by the U.S. Air Force Band at 7 p.m.
Where: GCS Ballpark, 2301 Grizzlie Bear
Fireworks: Following the Gateway Grizzlies game against the Florence Freedom on July 3, as well as after games on Friday and Saturday against the local rival River City Rascals
What Else: Baseball.
Where: Frontier Park, 222 S. Riverside
Fireworks: 9:20 p.m. Friday and Saturday
What Else: St. Charles' Riverfest hosts live music, as well as food and craft vendors from Thursday to Saturday. There's a parade from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday.
Where: Memorial Park, Elm and Glendale
Fireworks: 9:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday
What Else: The four-day Webster Groves Community Days festival boasts carnival rides, barbecue, pageants, and parades July 2 through 5.
Where: Progress Park
Fireworks: 9:05 p.m. Friday
What Else: Live music from Dr. Zhivegas, as well as inflatables. The festival opens with a parade at 10 a.m.
