Fair Saint Louis returning to original home in 2018

After four years at Forest Park, Fair Saint Louis is returning to the Gateway Arch, Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. The 2018 Fair will take place on July 4, 6 and 7.

The fair’s return to its original location will highlight the completion of the CityArchRiver project, a $380 million renovation of the Arch grounds and area.

The last four years, the fair has been held in Forest Park instead of the riverfront, after decades of celebrations beneath the Arch.

The CityArchRiver project was funded in a public-private partnership by the Gateway Arch Park Foundation, National Park Service, city of St. Louis, Great Rivers Greenway, Bi-State Development, Missouri Department of Transportation, Jefferson National Parks Association and more.

The chairman of Gateway Arch Park Foundation, Carolyn Kindle Betz, said in a press release, “We knew the community made this project possible and they deserved a huge celebration to mark the grand opening of the new Arch experience. The return of Fair Saint Louis to the Gateway Arch park is the perfect way to bring St. Louisans and visitors to the park to discover all of the improvements.”

In a press release, St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson said, “The City of St. Louis and Mayor’s Office have been proud partners of Fair Saint Louis since its beginning back in 1981. We are excited to see the fair back at the Gateway Arch grounds to help celebrate our nation’s independence in conjunction with the completion of the renovation. It’s going to be — the — place to celebrate Fourth of July next year.”

More details about Fair Saint Louis 2018 will be added to www.fairsaintlouis.org. For more information about the Gateway Arch park area, go online to www.archpark.org.

This story was originally published August 30, 2017 at 11:35 AM with the headline "Fair Saint Louis returning to original home in 2018."