Fair Saint Louis facts for kids
Fair St. Louis is a big yearly party! It happens around the United States Independence Day holiday. You can find it in downtown St. Louis, Missouri, right by the famous Gateway Arch National Park. A group called the Veiled Prophet Organization helps pay for this fun event.
Contents
History
How Fair St. Louis Started
The festival we know today began in 1981. It was first called the "V.P. Fair." This fair was a new version of the Veiled Prophet Parade, which started way back in 1878. The parade was a special celebration for the city of St. Louis.
Why the Name Changed
In September 1994, the fair's name was changed to Fair St. Louis. This new name was chosen to help the event become more famous across the country. Organizers hoped it would be as well-known as Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
The change also aimed to make the fair feel more welcoming to everyone. Some people felt the old name, "V.P." (for Veiled Prophet), was connected to a group that had not always included everyone in the past. The new name, Fair St. Louis, sent a positive message that the fair was for all people.
Fair Themes
In 2002, the fair had its first special theme. It was "Many Colors, One Flag, One People." This theme showed that the fair wanted to celebrate everyone in the community.
4th of July Parade
The Parade During the Pandemic
Fair St. Louis usually happens every year. However, in July 2020, the in-person event could not take place. This was because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Instead, the fair was held online that year. It returned as an in-person event in 2021.
What to Do at the Fair
Fun for Everyone
Fair St. Louis is a very popular event. Around 800,000 to 1,000,000 people are expected to visit each year. There is lots to do for visitors of all ages.
Activities and Entertainment
At the fair, you can find many exciting things. There is plenty of food and drinks to enjoy. You can listen to live music from different artists. Kids can have fun on various rides. Sometimes, there are amazing fireworks shows. The fair also has contests and a picnic area with tables for everyone to relax.
See also
- Veiled Prophet Parade and Ball (for more history)
