A parade, air shows, music by Heart and a dazzling fireworks show. What better way to celebrate freedom than at one of the largest and best Fourth of July celebrations in the country -- Fair St. Louis?
The Veiled Prophet "Parade Around the World" steps off at 10 a.m. Wednesday from Fourth Street and Washington Avenue in dowtown St. Louis and continues south on Fourth Street to Market. At the Old Courthouse, the parade turns west on Market and ends at Union Station.
With more than 130 units, the parade features hundreds of costumed characters, seven giant helium-filled balloons and 17 custom floats.
The metro-east will be well represented in the parade and band competition, with high school bands from Belleville East, O'Fallon, Collinsville, Mater Dei, East St. Louis, Alton and Staunton participating.
If you'd rather see the parade in the comfort of your air-conditioned living room, you can watch it live on KMOV, Channel 4.
Fair St. Louis takes a day off Thursday, then continues Friday and Saturday with more fun, fireworks and music.
Here's what you need to know about the three-day Fair St. Louis.
What: Fair St. Louis
When: Noon to 10 p.m. today, 4 to 10 p.m. Friday and noon to 10 p.m. Saturday
Where: Gateway Arch in St. Louis
Prohibited: Outside food or drink, coolers, bicycles, skateboards, scooters and pets
Admission: Free
Information: Visit http://fairstlouis.org/, call 314-434-3434 or e-mail info@celebratestlouis.org
Fair St. Louis schedule
TODAY
7 a.m. -- Freedom 4 Miler
8:30 a.m. -- Family Fun Run
10 a.m. -- 135th Annual Veiled Prophet Parade. Route: Fourth Street and Washington Avenue south on Fourth Street to Market, west on Market to Union Station. Belleville East, O'Fallon, Collinsville, Mater Dei, East St. Louis, Alton and Staunton high school bands will participate. Broadcast live on KMOV, Channel 4.
participating.
Noon -- Air show; Kids Zone, Interactive Zone and Creative Station open
1 p.m. -- Cultural Stage performances
2 p.m. -- Music video contest winner
3:30 p.m. -- Air show
6 p.m. -- Music by The Dirty Guv'nahs
8 p.m. -- Music by Heart
9:20 p.m. -- Fireworks
Friday
4 p.m. -- Local band; Kids Zone, Interactive Zone and Creative Station open; Cultural Stage performances
5 p.m. -- Music by Wild Child
6 p.m. -- Music video contest winner
7 p.m. -- Salute to the Troops
8 p.m. -- Music by Third Eye Blind
9:20 p.m. -- Fireworks
Saturday
Noon -- Flaming Pie; Kids Zone, Interactive Zone and Creative Station open
1 p.m. -- Cultural Stage performances
1:30 p.m. -- SuperJam
3:15 p.m. -- Music video contest winner
4:45 p.m. -- Music by Florida Georgia Line
6 p.m. -- Music by Colt Ford
8 p.m. -- Music by Dierks Bentley
9:20 p.m. -- Fireworks
