Thursday, Jul. 02, 2009

Celebrate Independence Day with fireworks in St. Louis

ST. LOUIS -- With the economy still struggling, Missy Slay figures this weekend's Fair St. Louis is just what area residents are looking for to celebrate the land of the free.

That's free as in free concerts by such national acts as Counting Crows and Train. Free appearances by tween heartthrobs Nat and Alex Wolff. The free fantabulous Independence Day fireworks display, always ranked as one of the best in the nation. A free day and a half of kids activities, including an arcade zone and a St. Louis Rams Cheerleaders meet-and-greet. The free colorful tradition of the 132nd annual Veiled Prophet parade.

And -- did she mention? -- admission is still free, too, so let what was once billed as the nation's biggest birthday party begin.

"We're really excited this year," said Slay, the executive director of Celebrate St. Louis, which encompasses Fair St. Louis and the six-concert Live on the Levee series that will begin July 17.

"I mean, what better way to celebrate than to come down to the St. Louis riverfront and witness great, live entertainment and fireworks displays every weekend. All for free. Don't forget, it's for free. That's what's so important."

For Slay, the stars have seemed to align about as perfectly as the fireworks shells they're setting up on the river barges. Despite the recession, area corporations have continued to come through with donations to fund the fair, which runs on a budget of between $2.5 million and $2.8 million a year.

"Actually, they've been really generous," Slay said. "I think they realize this summer of any summer is going to be the most important because people are looking for relief, looking for free things to do with their time on the weekend."

The fair will be back on the riverfront after being moved to the Soldiers Memorial area last year because of high water. And, just when people thought they might have to spend the rest of the summer in front of their air-conditioning vents, current predictions have weekend temperatures in the 80s.

"I'd like to think so," said Slay, when asked if her group were responsible for the cooler weather that took over earlier this week. "We're looking forward to 88."

While temperatures have moderated, the fair will get off to a sizzling start at 8 p.m. Friday night with the contemporary pop sounds of Counting Crows. In the limelight for more than 15 years now, the band hit No. 1 with "Accidentally in Love," which earned nominations in 2005 for a Grammy, Golden Globe and Academy Award thanks to the success of the "Shrek 2" soundtrack.

On Saturday, you'll want to be there early to grab a prime spot to watch the Veiled Prophet Parade, which steps off at 10 a.m. from Fourth and Washington before heading down Market from Fourth to 20th.

Boasting the theme of "We Need a Vacation," the procession will feature 16 bands, elaborate floats, giant helium balloons, Fredbird as the grand marshal and an appearance by the Wolff brothers of Nickelodeon's "The Naked Brothers Band" fame.

After the march, Nat and his little brother will take up where they left off, getting the tweens screaming again when the two open the final day of entertainment at the fair with a 1 p.m. concert on the Budweiser stage.

"I think there are going to be lots of little girls down here very happy," Slay said. "Oh, absolutely."

The Wolffs will kick off a day of music by area bands, culminating with an 8 p.m. appearance by Train, the Grammy-winning rock band that hails from San Francisco. A second fireworks show at about 9:15 will cap the weekend festivities.

"We know that people come down and look forward to these fireworks -- especially this year when I know Caseyville and some of our friends on the other side of the river are struggling financially," Slay said. "We hope they all come over and see the Fair St. Louis fireworks."

Children of all ages will find a raft of free activities to explore in the K-Town Kids Zone, from the challenges of a climbing wall and the St. Louis Rams NFL Experience to getting up close and personal with Rams cheerleaders and science experiments. A children's stage will offer nonstop entertainment, too, including Circus Harmony and an exhibition of wushu -- aka Kung Fu.

If you do have a few extra bucks, you can try a Fair St. Louis first -- the Sauce Cafe, which offers a three-course meal, including andouille shrimp and tenderloin medallions, from the Highway 61 Roadhouse & Kitchen, all for $30, not including tax, tip and drinks. Seatings are available at 6 and 8 p.m. through www.celebratestlouis.org.

Better yet, you can get the best view of the fireworks and support the fair to boot by joining the third annual Adopt-A-Shell campaign. For $75 ($50 for children) you get a picnic supper, music, children's activities and a chance to see the fireworks all from the air-conditioned Park View Room of the Hyatt Regency St. Louis.

Then, once the fair and All-Star Baseball Game are over, Live on the Levee will pick up July 17 with six more free concerts and six more nights of fireworks. The music lineup will boast Sonic Youth July 17, Little Feat July 18, Angie Stone July 24, Pocahontas native Gretchen Wilson July 25, Guster July 31 and Lupe Fiasco Aug. 1.

"And the great thing is that because we run for consecutive weekends, we have the opportunity to offer a really diverse lineup," Slay said. "So, there's just a lot to do here. St. Louis is going to come alive this summer."