By Julie Bierach, KWMU
SAINT LOUIS, MO – The City of St. Louis is busy setting up for Fair Saint Louis and LIVE OFF the Levee.
The festivities will begin downtown Friday, July 4th with the 131st Annual VP Parade at 10 am. The parade will start at Washington Avenue and Fourth Street and proceeds on Market Street to Union Station.
Bob Schenk is a spokesman for the Veiled Prophet Parade. He said the parade this year will feature 17 floats and 15 marching bands.
"In fact, USA Today and the International Festivals and Events Association recently highlighted the VP Parade as one of the best in the nation," said Schenk.
Many consider the fireworks display to be the main event at Fair Saint Louis every year.
Organizers say St. Louis is ranked among the top ten places in the United States to watch fireworks on the Fourth of July.
This year, the display will be choreographed to a summertime music mix and a laser display will accompany the fireworks. Friday and Saturday night, the fireworks will be shot from a barge on the Mississippi River as has been done in years past.
Steve Schankman, general chairman of Fair Saint Louis said the National Park Service will allow people to watch the fireworks display under the Arch.
"Due to the flood conditions on the levee that part will be fenced off, but you are welcome to go down to the Arch grounds," said Schankman during a press conference Thursday morning. "But I must caution you that all services for Fair St. Louis will be here at the festival site."
The fireworks will begin Friday and Saturday night at about 9:15 pm.
People venturing to downtown St. Louis for Fair Saint Louis and LIVE OFF the Levee are being encouraged to take Metro Link. Thousands of people are expected to attend the events and parking will be limited.
In addition, the Cardinals host the Chicago Cubs at Busch Stadium.
Diane Williams with Metro said Metro Link will run every ten minutes just prior to the fireworks and then continue on a ten minute schedule through midnight.
"Your best access is through the Civic Center station or the Union Station station," said Williams. "So those are your two best Metro Link stops."
Williams said because of street closures, Metro buses will be re-routed in the area.
Those driving to the festival grounds should allow time for parking and walking.
A list of parking garages is available on-line at www.celebratestlouis.org.