Be a Tourist in Your Own Town Tradeshow

Recently, the STL CVC came under fire by the Post-Dispatch for not revealing the terms of the Rams Stadium upgrade. The STL CVC uses the hotel/motel tax in the metro area to fund tourism activities.

One such activity was the tourism rally before the third Pirates/Cardinals game. About 30 vendors and venues gave out free stuff and information at Keiner Plaza about their summer tourist schedules. A select few of these are highlighted in the following blog.

The City of Maplewood passed out a cool, black, Route 66 tote---their Friday, July 13, 6:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m., "Let Them Eat Art" will feature a Canine Costume Contest with five categories of cash prizes. 

Next door poured samples of its Pale Ale. I tried a beer at 10:00 a.m. reasoning that it was 5:00 p.m. (my normal drinking time) SOMEWHERE!

Speaking of beer, Grant's Farm was there with a Clydesdale foal; I won a drawing for a red and white Budweiser hat. Did you know that you can take a tour by reservation only, April-October, of Warm Springs Ranch, where the Clydesdales are bred? What a great "mini-vacation", especially for children or horse lovers!

Laumeier Sculpture Park, just in time for the Mother's Day Weekend, May 11-13, has its 25th Anniversary Art Fair, with 150 artists, entertainment, and cuisine. On Thursdays, July 26 and August 23, Laumeier hosts " Yappy Hour", a canine event for you and your pooch with fun competitions, demonstrations, and live music.

In addition to its collections, the St Louis Art Museum hosts an outdoor film series on Art Hill, including "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" (July 6), "The Birds" (July 13), "A Hard Day's Night (July 20), and Audience Choice on July 27.

The blockbuster summer show, celebrating a year of China, is Missouri Botanical Garden's "Lantern Festival", with special evening hours.

The Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (The Arch) celebrates National Get Outdoors Day on June 9, 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., with wildlife, rock climbing, fishing, gardening, walking, biking, Tai Chi, Yoga, and Zumba classes.

There are plenty of opportunities for music this summer as the St Louis Symphony hosts the "Music of Led Zeppelin" (May 11), "Bond and Beyond---50 Years of 007" (June 2), and "Classical Mystery Tour---A Tribute to the Beatles" (June 22). The free concert series, "Sounds at the Station", on Thursdays presents Western Satellites on May 17, Furious George on June 21, Retro Nerds on July 19, Petty Cash Junction on August 16, and Guitars on Fire on September 20.

The "Big Muddy Blues Festival" celebrates its 17th anniversary on Laclede's Landing on September 1-2.

No summer with out-of-town company is complete without a visit to City Museum or its World Aquarium.

For another type of physical activity, reach new heights at the newest rock climbing facility at Old City Hospital, Climbsoill.

Finally, Caveman Zipline at Meramec Caverns offers a chance to go ziplining without the expense of trekking to the Rain Forest! Their brochure states: "Zippers can traverse through the treetop canopies and across the river on 4 separate ziplinerides (over 1,200 feet long and in speeds up to 50 m.p.h.)".