Chamber of Commerce Announces Theme for Affton Days Festival

The , which organizes the annual Affton Days Parade and Festival, has announced that the theme for this year’s event will be “Affton Honors Those Who Served,” a choice made to correspond with the 10-year anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The Affton Days organizing committee said they expect to see many floats honoring the local police and fire departments and the military.

The parade will begin at 10 a.m. on September 17 at and will travel down Mackenzie Road and Gravois Road to St. George Catholic Church. It will feature bands and participants from local schools, churches and businesses. St. Louis County Police Chief Tim Fitch and Affton precinct Captain Mike Dierkes will lead the parade with the county police honor guard and bagpipers.

The festival will begin at noon in the St. George Church parking lot with booths from local businesses, as well as food, games, inflatable rides, a climbing wall and a beer garden.

“I think the economy is picking up a little bit, so we are looking to expand the parade this year,” said Affton Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Joan Edleson. “Nothing but good can come from it. It is definitely a community event. We are just hoping that the businesses in the area have set aside money for sponsorships, so we can have all the events.”

The annual parade began in 1984. The festival was added in 1993.

This year the Affton Days committee is chaired by Terri Ems, with Suzanne Welker and Jake Baretich heading up the parade and festival subcommittees, respectively. Welker has had experience organizing the Herman Days parade in Herman, Missouri.

Edleson said that the chamber is looking for sponsors to support the event and to help with billboard advertising to get the word out about the date for this year's event.

Look for more information about the festival soon on the chamber's website.