Labor Day Weekend

Then

September Kicks in with

Many Local Events

 

 

102nd ST. LOUIS GREEK FESTIVAL

Labor Day Weekend Aug. 30–Sept. 2

The 102nd Annual St. Louis Greek Festival at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in St. Louis’ Central West End will be held Friday, Aug. 30 – Monday, Sept 2.

Gyros, pastitsio, spanakopita, baklava . . . there’s no better way to spend Labor Day weekend this side of Mykonos! Come and experience a taste of Greece, live music, church tours and books, Greek Folk Dancing, and gift shop – daily! The parishioners of St. Nicholas welcome you with hospitality and joy! The fun reigns supreme from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday & Sunday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Labor Day at the corner of Forest Park and Kingshighway. Start the holiday weekend at a kick-off event on Friday, Aug. 30 starting at 3 p.m. at Athens On The Street Sponsored by Tramar Contracting Inc. on Forest Park Ave! (Select menu of festival favorites, beverages, and live music).

The Greek Festival features live entertainment with music by Christos Sarantakis and folk dancing by the St. Nicholas Greek Dancers.

 

 

JAPANESE FESTIVAL AT

BOTANICAL GARDEN

LABOR DAY WEEKEND

The 2019 Japanese Festival will be held at the Missouri Botanical Garden on Saturday, Aug. 31, Sunday, Sept. 1, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Monday, Sept. 2 (Labor Day), from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Revel in the return of sumo at this year’s 43rd annual Japanese Festival.

Since 1977, the Garden has proudly hosted this unique event in one of the largest Japanese gardens in North America. A prolific collaboration with several local Japanese-American organizations provides authentic Japanese music, art, dance, food and entertainment for thousands of visitors each year.

Admission is $16 for adults ages 13 and over and $8 for members; member children (ages 12 and under) are free. Visit www.mobot.org/japanesefestival for details.

Seiwa-en, the “garden of pure, clear harmony and peace,” takes center stage for the weekend’s festivities. A lively opening ceremony kicks off the celebration at 11 a.m. Saturday morning in the Japanese Garden entrance with music, remarks by distinguished guests, the ritual of kagamiwari, or breaking into the sake barrel, and a performance by the St. Louis Osuwa Taiko drummers.

This year, the Garden welcomes sumo wrestling back into its lineup of performances for the first time since 2015.

The three sumo will demonstrate their craft two times per day, at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday and at noon and 4 p.m. on Sunday and Monday.

The Japanese Festival will offer an array of other demonstrations, activities and tours for all ages and interests. Watch martial arts demonstrations of judo, kendo, aikido and karate-do, along with the more ancient koryu bugei. Understand the role of zen in influencing these arts on Saturday and Monday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 10 a.m.

Rev. Daigaku Rummé, head priest of the Confluence Zen Center in Maplewood, will educate visitors on Zen’s principles and how they relate to Japanese culture. Time permitting, visitors will have a chance to try Zen meditation (zazen) for themselves.

The private Teahouse Island of the Japanese Garden will be open for guided public tours every hour from noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday. Visitors can see the Garden’s soan, the farm hut-style teahouse, which was a gift from Missouri’s sister state of Nagano prefecture in Japan. Originally built in Japan, the teahouse was reassembled on-site by Japanese craftsmen in 1977.

Learn about the disciplined art of ikebana flower arranging and the proper pruning of a delicate bonsai tree. Marvel at the quick work of ice sculptor Naomi Hamamura as he wields a chain saw to create birds and other objects from large, frozen blocks. Enjoy a colorful kimono fashion show on Sunday inside the Shoenberg Theater. The formal art of traditional kimono dressing is celebrated each year at this festival.

Stop by the Spink Pavilion to enjoy children’s activities including origami paper folding and traditional Japanese games.

Sample Japanese cuisine at the outdoor food court, including sushi, yakisoba noodles, pancake-like okonomiyaki and green tea ice cream.

On Saturday and Sunday evening, learn about Obon, the festival when the spirits of the dead return to spend time with the living, by participating in a Toro Nagashi ceremony. Lanterns are inscribed with the names of those deceased, then lit and set afloat as a way of accompanying the spirits as they depart for another year.

For general information, visit www.mobot.org or call (314) 577?5100.

 

 

BIG MUDDY BLUES FESTIVAL BACK ON

THE LANDING, 1 DAY ONLY AUG. 31

St. Louis’ historic Laclede’s Landing is once again gearing up for the region’s largest, one-of-a-kind Blues music events of the year, the Big Muddy Blues Festival. This year’s festival takes place one-day only on Saturday, Aug. 31 from 2–11 p.m., with a powerhouse of Blues entertainment packed into a single day that will be free for all to enjoy.

The Big Muddy Blues Festival provides a platform for a wide range of artists who represent extensions of the Blues genre, such as, Soul, R&B, Rock, Gospel and Jazz, attracting an eclectic audience with the intention of celebrating St. Louis as one of the best Blues scenes in the world.

Now in its 24th year, the Big Muddy Blues Festival will showcase nine hours of world-class musical entertainment with seven bands hitting the main stage on the cobblestone streets of Laclede’s Landing while boasting the Gateway Arch and Big Muddy itself as the iconic river backdrop for the event.

Laclede’s Landing has always been a hot spot for aspiring Blues artists and – through this festival – continues its role showcasing some of the industry’s best musicians. Among the big names performing this year are:

The Fab Foehners – Sharon and Doug Foehner, featuring special guest Eric McSpadden playing Mississippi Delta Blues. On the day of the festival, attendees are welcome to bring folding chairs and blankets. Pets, coolers, grilling equipment or outside food/drinks, however, will not be permitted. Purses and backpacks will be checked when entering the main stage area. With a $5 minimum donation upon arrival, attendees can receive a $5 off beverage coupon to be redeemed at any participating restaurant throughout the day.

For additional details on the Big Muddy Blues Festival, visit http://bigmuddybluesfestival.com/.

MIDWEST WINGFEST AUG. 30-31

Midwest Wingfest will be held Friday, Aug. 30 from 5p.m. to 12 a.m. and Saturday, Aug. 31 from noon to 12 a.m. at St. Clair Square Mall, in the east parking lot behind Dillard’s, in Fairview Heights.

This year there will be more entertainment, a National recording artist and some top quality local and national food vendors as well. The children’s area was doubled this year to enhance the family friendly appeal.

 

 

APPLEFEST BACK AT

ECKERT’S FARM SEPT. 1

Labor Day weekend means Applefest at Belleville Farm, 951 South Green Mount Road, Belleville, IL 62220. On Sunday, Sept. 1, wagon rides, live entertainment, great festival foods, children’s activities and much more will make this an apple pickin’ good time for everyone!

Whether riding a pony or feeding a goat, your young ‘uns will enjoy getting acquainted with common farm animals. Children’s carnival and/or activities only at Belleville Farm this Labor Day weekend. Funnel cakes, caramel apples and more will be available.

LOCAL EVENTS: SEPTEMBER

 

POOCH PLUNGE DOG SWIM

AT BANGERT PARK POOL SEPT. 3

Florissant will host Pooch Plunge Dog Swim at the Bangert Pool on Tuesday, Sept. 3 from 6-8 p.m. Dogs must be up to date on their vaccinations and recently bathed. All dogs must wear an ID tag and be on a leash unless swimming.

All current vaccination records, including DHLPP and rabies shots are required to swim. Owners must bring a printed copy of the records. Tags are not proof. Dog owners must sign a waiver. Owners must clean up after their dogs.

Proceeds benefit the Dog Park of Florissant located at Duchesne Park. Cost is $10 for dog and owner and $3 for each additional guest.

For more information contact the JJE Center 314-921-4466 or JFK Center 314-921-4250.

 

 

ANNUAL POLISH FESTIVAL MOVES

TO FLORISSANT ON SEPT. 7

The Polish Falcons of America Nest 45 will celebrate their 45th Annual Polish Festival on Saturday, Sept. 7 at their new location, Duchesne Home Association Grounds, 50 Saint Francois Street. Patrons can enter through the gates on Washington Street.

The festival will offer authentic Polish food and pastries, music, games, and family fun! Lunch and dinner will be served beginning at 11 a.m. until it’s sold out. Food selections include European-style Polish sausage, cabbage roll (Golabki); cheese filled dumplings (Pierogi), Polish-style sauerkraut, potatoes, green beans, and bread. Dave Hylla’s Good Times Band will provide musical entertainment from 5:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.

Coolers, glass containers, and firearms are not permitted, but lawn chairs are allowed. The event will be held rain or shine. The Falcons previous location was known as the Stifel Mansion in bygone days and was found at 2013 St. Louis Ave. The Falcons had to sell their old building and grounds because they could no longer afford its upkeep.

For more information, call 314-421-9614.

 

 

9-11 REMEMBRANCE

AT VWF POST 4105

Mayor Timothy Lowery announced that VFW Post 4105 will host a 9-11 Remembrance at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 11, on the parking lot at 410 rue St. Francois.

This solemn event is to reflect on the 18th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon by terrorists.

Members of the VFW 12th District will be posting the colors. Members of the American Legion Post 444 will perform taps with a gun salute. Mayor Lowery will provide the opening remarks and Fire Chief Jason Hoevelmann with the Florissant Valley Fire Protection District will be the featured speaker and will reflect on the 100th anniversary of the Florissant Valley Fire Protection District.

All of the veteran and service organizations that service the Florissant area are invited to attend this event which is open to all citizens who wish to gather in remembrance of those who perished on that infamous day.

The Florissant Police Department, surrounding police departments and the Florissant Valley and Black Jack Fire Departments were sent special invitations to attend to acknowledge the ultimate sacrifice their New York comrades made that day.

 

 

‘LIGHT THE DARKNESS’

GLOW RUN SEPT. 21

Mayor Tim Lowery announced that the city’s Parks & Recreation Department will be hosting the 11th Annual “Light the Darkness” Suicide Prevention Fundraiser. The event is on Saturday, Sept. 21 at St. Ferdinand Park. There will be a free concert starting at 5:30 p.m. by the band Fanfare featuring Kittie Moeller, a Family Fun Fair featuring a 73ft inflatable obstacle course and jumbo games, food and a Glow Run 5K/1 Mile Fun Run. The cost to participate in the Glow Run 5K or 1 Mile Fun Run is $25 through Sept. 1 and $30 after Sept. 1.

There will be raffle baskets filled with items donated by local businesses, a 50/50 drawing, glow in the dark photo booth and giveaways from many event sponsors. There will be a ton of glow and light themed course decorations and all registered participants will receive an event t-shirt and custom glow in the dark medal when they cross the finish line. It is open to walkers, joggers, crawlers and runners of all ages. The race is not officially timed and incredibly laid back so the participants can enjoy the decorations along the way and feel free to stop and take photos.

There are so many ways for anyone to contribute, and 100% of the net proceeds from the day are donated to the Eastern MO Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention as well as CHADS Coalition for Mental Health and funds programs and outreach right here in the community.

If you want to purchase just a tee shirt, you can for $15. If you purchase a tee shirt by Sept. 1, your requested sizes are guaranteed. You can purchase a t-shirt only, by visiting the John F. Kennedy Center or James J. Eagan Center front desk or through the registration website.

For more information and to sign visit the website at https://runsignup.com/Race/MO/Florissant/LightTheDarkness.

 

 

41ST WALK THROUGH HISTORY PLAQUE

HONORING GRACE ZYKAN SEPT. 25

Mayor Lowery announced that the City along with Old Town Partners will be hosting a dedication to unveil a plaque in honor of the late Grace Zykan. This will be the 41st Walk through History plaque in honor of someone who has made a valuable contribution to the City of Florissant. The ceremony will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 5:45 p.m. in front of 525 rue St. Francois. The plaque dedication will take place before the start of the last Wednesday Night Out festivities which is being sponsored by Hendel’s Café which will be a street party and jazz fest.

Grace Ebbesmeyer was born the second youngest of nine. She married Don Zykan, Sr. in May of 1951, and Grace and Don, Sr. raised five children. Grace was an officer and owner of the Zykan Brothers Family Business. She was named Chamber Outstanding Person of the Year in 2006. She also was the receiver of the Christian Hospital Paul Detrick Award. She was very active in the community and was a member of many local organizations including

 

The Greater North County Chamber of Commerce, North County Incorporated, Florissant Old Town Partners and the Soroptimist International of St. Louis where she was the past president for both of these organizations.

Grace was also involved at Marygrove, Christian Hospital Foundation, Valley Industries and TEAM which was very near and dear to her heart. “Amazing Grace” which everyone would call her, loved her huge family and countless number of friends. She generously contributed her time and talents to the community for decades. Grace touched the lives of many and was an inspiration.