America’s Biggest Birthday Party will return to Forest Park in 2016 as Art Hill welcomes the 36th annual Fair Saint Louis from Saturday, July 2, through Monday, July 4, uniting fairgoers from near and far for another fun-filled, three-day celebration of our nation’s independence. As preparations for Fair Saint Louis 2016 begin to take shape, representatives of the Fair Saint Louis Foundation and the City of St. Louis are already hard at work to ensure that Fair Saint Louis 2016 will be another rousing success.
The fact that those plans have to start so early was the key factor in the decision to return to Forest Park for 2016. While great progress is being made on the transformation of the Gateway Arch Grounds, remaining unknowns related to the status of work that will be continuing on and around the Arch grounds in the summer of 2016 prevent the organizers from considering a return next year.
“As we ramp up the planning efforts for 2016, we look forward to the continued support of former and new sponsors as we work to deliver another amazing event at the iconic Forest Park,” noted Steve Pozaric, who is returning as General Chairman of Fair St. Louis 2016. “Thanks to our terrific sponsors – including Anheuser-Busch, Edward Jones, Emerson, Enterprise Holdings, Purina, Ameren, Maritz and many more – Fair Saint Louis 2015 was able to offer an outstanding roster of performers, interactive attractions, and a multitude of other exceptional entertainment options that made year two in Forest Park another unforgettable experience; and we’re excited to do it all over again next year.”
After a year of planning and countless volunteer hours, Fair Saint Louis 2015 successfully brought an estimated 250,000 to 275,000 people from local communities, as well as across the country, together to celebrate America’s Biggest Birthday Party. Fourteen exceptional bands and solo performers rocked Forest Park from Thursday through Saturday on the Budweiser Main Stage. When fairgoers weren’t camped out on Art Hill singing along to some of their favorite songs, saluting our troops or enjoying the magnificent firework displays that lit up the night sky over the park, they were exploring the other entertainment the Fair had to offer.
People flocked to the zip line – a first ever for the Fair – and they packed the expanded Ameren/Purina Family Festival Zone which featured an amazing array of hands on activities from virtual welding to rock climbing, along with the Purina Pro Plan Performance dog team, a perennial Fair favorite. They also marveled as stunt bicyclist Chris Clark performed his tricks, maneuvering his bike in ways most could only imagine. As in years past, patrons indulged in the delicious food options and enthusiastically supported the beverage tents managed by local charities, which benefitted from a portion of the sales.
“This annual event truly embodies the spirit of alliance and patriotism that sets St. Louis apart,” said Bob Ciapciak, Chairman of the Fair St. Louis Foundation. “We appreciate the outstanding support from everybody who made our 2015 Fair an absolute success, including the City of St. Louis, Forest Park Forever, the St. Louis Department of Parks, Recreation, and Forestry, the St. Louis City Department of Streets, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the St. Louis Fire Department and our transportation partners Metro, MoDOT and Trailnet; and we look forward to working with them on the plans for the coming year.”
The entertainment lineup for Fair Saint Louis 2016 is still under development, and specific hours and programming details will be announced at a later date, but organizers are committed to continuing the longstanding traditions Fair Saint Louis is known for, including the V.P. Parade and one of the best fireworks displays in America.
For more information as the plans for 2016 take shape, visit www.fairsaintlouis.org.
The Fair St. Louis Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization, operates the Fair each year and has donated numerous gifts to the St. Louis Community in conjunction with these events. Over the years, the foundation has contributed to the lighting of the Eads Bridge, the Mississippi River Overlook and the mile-long Riverfront Promenade, and was a partner in providing the Grand Staircases beneath the Arch as part of the National Park System.
For more information, contact:
Julie Hauser
The Hauser Group
314.436.9090