Area residents are invited to explore Grant’s Trail in the Gravois Greenway from 5- 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 3, and honor our nation’s veterans by taking part in the fifth annual “Honor Glow.” The event, which is being hosted by the Historic Sappington House Museum and The Barn Restaurant, will feature hundreds of glowing luminaries that are being lit in honor of beloved veterans along 1.5 miles of Grant’s Trail, between Big Bend Blvd. and Watson Road in Crestwood. The celebration is free and open to the public. Individual luminaries are available for advance purchase through Dec. 1 for $10 each via http://www.honorglow.org/. All proceeds from the sale of the luminaries benefit the Missouri chapter of USA Cares, a non-profit organization whose mission is to help military families in crisis. Since 2001, USA Cares has provided in excess of $13.1 million to help active-duty military, veterans and their families.
The Honor Glow celebration will kick off at 5:20 p.m. promptly on the grounds of the historic Sappington House, located at 1015 S. Sappington Road in Crestwood, with a trumpet reveille, followed by the National Anthem, a flag ceremony and the release of luminary balloons into the night sky to the sound of Taps.
While exploring the illuminated greenway, residents are encouraged to stop by and tour the historic Sappington House or sit around one of the bonfires located on the Sappington House grounds. The Crestwood Fire Department will oversee the bonfires and will have a truck on site for photos and tours. Members of the 620th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion will also be on-hand with a few of their armored vehicles, and children are invited to climb into the vehicles and talk to the soldiers. Those in attendance can also see the POW-MIA Traveling Museum, and Santa Claus himself will be stopping by to take photos. Complimentary hot chocolate and spiced cider will be available for attendees of The Barn Restaurant, which is also located on the Sappington House grounds. A complimentary cookie for each child will be available while supplies last, and attendees will be able to enjoy holiday musical entertainment by local Girl Scout carolers and the Crestview Senior Living Chimers.
“We are excited to once again honor our nation’s Veterans by hosting this one-of-a-kind event along Grant’s Trail,” said event coordinator and USA Cares Volunteer Angela Jett. “Friends, families, and neighbors can explore the illuminated trail together and enjoy all of the night’s activities while supporting our military families in crisis. Help us light the trail by reserving luminaries at http://www.honorglow.org/. You can order balloons, purchase a luminary or make a donation.”
Free parking will be available at Crestwood School on Sappington Blvd., as well as on Reco Drive, just south of the Sappington Barn Complex. The event will be held rain or shine.
Sponsors of the event include The Barn Restaurant, Crestwood Public Works Department, the Loft Gift Shop, Farmers Brothers, Siena Cargas of Companion Baking Company, the Crestwood Fire & Police Department, Midwest Block & Brick and Missouri Meetings & Events Magazine. For more information on the event or on lighting Grant’s Trail, visit http://www.honorglow.org/ or call 314-484-1094.
About Great Rivers Greenway:
Great Rivers Greenway is a regional parks and trails district created by a vote of the people to connect St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Charles County. We are making the St. Louis region an even better place to live by connecting our region with greenways to conserve natural resources, enhance our economy and improve our quality of life with more transportation and recreation options. For more information, visit www.GreatRiversGreenway.org.
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For more information, contact:
Pam Powell
(314) 436-9090