Fair St. Louis

Fair Saint Louis is an annual festival held during the July 4 holiday in downtown St. Louis, Missouri historically at the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. In 2014–2017, the events are being held in Forest Park on Art Hill instead, due to construction at the Arch. The event drew approximately 250,000 people to Forest Park - more than any event in more than a century. Some call it "America's Biggest Birthday Party". The event showcases a variety of attractions, educational activities, Family Festival Zone, stage featuring national headlining entertainment, and an enormous fireworks display held nightly. Admission into Fair Saint Louis is free.

In 1981, St. Louis businessman Robert R. Hermann organized a group of civic leaders to create an event that would unite the region in a joint effort to promote St. Louis to the country and the world. With the help of 100 community leaders and approximately 1,000 volunteers, the first three-day V.P. Fair was held on the St. Louis Riverfront July 3-5, 1981. The 90-acre Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, with the majestic Gateway Arch provided the perfect setting for what was to become known as "America's Biggest Birthday Party." Under the leadership of Mel Loewenstein, September 1994 the V.P. Fair name changed to Fair Saint Louis. This new title more effectively showcases the civic pride and spirit of the people of the St. Louis region. The name Fair Saint Louis acknowledges this event is produced by St. Louisans, for St. Louisans and their guests from all over the world. Support from both local and national sponsors enables the Fair to bring the best entertainment to St. Louis each year. The Fair combined live music and entertainment with educational activities, delicious food and magnificent fireworks to bring multiple days of fun to St. Louis. Entertainers such as Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Bob Hope, The Beach Boys, Ray Charles, Elton John, and The Black Eyed Peas have participated, as have political leaders including then Vice President George Bush, his wife Barbara, and former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Warren Burger.

The Fair Saint Louis Foundation, formed to organize and operate the Fair each year, has donated numerous gifts to the St. Louis community in conjunction with the Fair. Over the years, the Foundation has contributed the lighting of the Eads Bridge, the Mississippi River Overlook, the mile-long Riverfront Promenade, and was a partner in providing two Grand Staircases beneath the Arch as a part of the National Park system.

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