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For 52 years, since 1963, the Valley of Flowers Festival celebration has been the “first festival of spring.” It features a variety of events, including a magnificent parade. The theme for this year’s festival is “Valley of Flowers Celebrates St. Louis’ 250^th Birthday.”

This three-day weekend festival (May 2-4)  has activities for everyone from a flower and plant sale to culturally diverse musical performances.  There are baseball games, craft and flea market sales, children’s activities, a classic car show and, of course, good food.  Carnival games and exciting rides are featured at the Duchesne Knights of Columbus Fairgrounds. The parade is the highlight of the weekend. The festival culminates on Sunday, May 4, with the crowning of the Valley of Flowers Queen and her Court at the Duchesne Knights of Columbus Pavilion following the parade.

The Festival is organized by the Valley of Flowers Committee: Chairman, Pat Stinnett; Coordinator, Kati Mahoney; Board Members: Jerry Ahlert, Mark Behlmann, Kathy Blasingame, Mary Gettemeier, Bryan Koen, Mike Kubiak, and Pamela Lee.  The Committee works in partnership with the City of Florissant.

The fifty-second Valley of Flowers Parade  on Sunday, May 4 will feature more than 120 units. Since 1963, the parade has been a highlight of the festival.

The theme of this year’s festival is “Valley of Flowers Celebrates St. Louis’ 250th Birthday.” Every year, the floats and marching units colorfully and creatively reflect the theme.

This year, the parade will be on Sunday, May 4, and will feature floats, decorated cars and antique cars, Valley of Flowers queen candidates, marching bands, horses, dogs and many other unique units.

All parade units will depart from their designated line up positions at 1:45 p.m. The parade will travel west on Parker Road to New Florissant Road. Walking units made up of District 9 Girl Scouts and Rhythmettes and marching bands leave from Atonement Lutheran Church at Parker Road and New Florissant Road traveling south to rue St. Francois.  The parade will continue west on rue St. Francois, turning south again on St. Ferdinand Street to Washington Street.

The parade will conclude at the Knights of Columbus grounds, where the candidates will be on stage for the crowning of the Valley of Flowers Queen and her court at 4 p.m. . The awards for the parade winners will be announced prior to the crowning. Come early to get good seats for one of the largest parades in St. Louis County.