Fair Saint Louis facts for kids
Fair St. Louis is a big yearly party in St. Louis, Missouri. It happens around United States Independence Day, also known as the Fourth of July. The festival takes place right in downtown St. Louis, near the famous Gateway Arch National Park. A group called the Veiled Prophet Organization helps pay for it.
Contents
History of Fair St. Louis
The festival we know today as Fair St. Louis started a long time ago. It was first called the "V.P. Fair." This event followed an even older celebration, the Veiled Prophet Parade. That parade began way back in 1878 as a special event for the city of St. Louis. The very first V.P. Fair was held in 1981.
Why the Name Changed
In 1994, the name of the festival was changed to Fair St. Louis. This change was made to help the fair become more popular across the country. Organizers hoped it would become as famous for St. Louis as Mardi Gras is for New Orleans.
The old name, "V.P. Fair," stood for "Veiled Prophet." Some people felt this name reminded them of the Veiled Prophet Ball. This ball and other related events were mostly for people who were very wealthy or well-known.
David Harper, who was on the fair's minority relations committee, explained that the name "Veiled Prophet" was upsetting to some. This was because the Veiled Prophet group did not allow Black members until 1979. Changing the name helped make the fair feel more welcoming to everyone. In 2002, the fair's theme was "Many Colors, One Flag, One People." This showed its goal of including everyone.
What Happens at Fair St. Louis?
Fair St. Louis is a huge event that attracts many people. Around 800,000 to 1,000,000 guests are expected to visit the fair each year.
Fun Activities and Guests
The fair offers lots of fun things to do. You can find many kinds of food and drinks. There is also live music to enjoy. Kids can have fun on different rides. Sometimes, there are amazing fireworks displays. Visitors can also take part in contests. There's even a picnic area with tables where you can relax and eat.
The Fourth of July Parade
The Fair St. Louis usually includes a big Fourth of July parade. However, in July 2020, the in-person fair and parade did not happen. This was because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, the event was held online that year. Luckily, the fair and parade returned in person in 2021.
See also
- Veiled Prophet Parade and Ball (for a full history)
