ST. LOUIS • Fair St. Louis is making a major move next year, uprooting itself from its long-standing home on the grounds of the Gateway Arch to a new temporary home in Forest Park.
The news, tipped by the Post-Dispatch in September, was confirmed by dignitaries including Mayor Francis Slay at a news conference Wednesday night.
A $380 million Gateway Arch grounds revamp is necessitating the move. The only time the Fair wasn’t at the Arch grounds was in 2008 when it moved to Soldiers Memorial because of flooding.
The 34th annual Fair St. Louis will take place July 3-5 centered at the Art Hill area of Forest Park. The move is expected for 2014 only. A decision on 2015 will be rendered much later.
The concert stage will be at the bottom of Art Hill.
The event will continue to feature fair favorites such as concerts, the air show, the Kids Zone, and the 137th Veiled Prophet Parade, which will march through Forest Park. It’s not known yet where in Forest Park the parade will commence. The parade will take place the morning of July 4.
People are also reading…
In a statement, 2014 Grand Marshal of the VP Parade Kenneth J. Mallin said “the park venue will allow us to showcase in new and different ways the history of the VP Parade, the artistry of our 18 hand-built floats, the excitement of over 750 costumed performers and the community spirit of over 1,000 volunteers.”
The Freedom 4-Miler Run and the Family Fun Run are happening before the parade on the morning of July 4.
Additional details are not expected until after the new year.
“The Riverfront downtown has served us well,” says Parker Condie Jr., chairman of the Fair St. Louis Foundation. “The Arch grounds are undergoing an historic renovation, so what better place is there than the beautiful, historic, iconic Forest Park.”
Slay said: “This is what is meant by a win-win situation. It’s the perfect venue for so many reasons. It’s a big part of the St. Louis heritage.”
Lori Thaman was announced as the new executive director for the Fair St. Louis Foundation.
Longtime volunteer and co-organizing chair Jim Eckhoff was presented with the key to the city by the mayor. and also given a pair of Lewis & Clark bookends commissioned by St. Louis artist Harry Weber.
All the dignitaries donned Cardinals’ baseball caps at the end of the press conference.
Kevin C. Johnson is the popular music critic and nightlife reporter at the Post-Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at kevincjohnson and add him on Facebook at kevincjohnsonstl.
