Hazelwood Harvestfest 2012 Activities

The Hazelwood Harvestfest is set to begin at 9 a.m. on Sept. 8. Here's a list of activities you can enjoy during the event.

Read more about the Harvestfest.

PARADE

As in years past, a big parade kicks off Hazelwood’s 2012 Harvestfest from the City Hall parking lot at 9 am.  The best viewing areas for the parade can be found along Town and Country, Holiday, Imperial, and Village Square Drive.

Businesses, civic groups and nonprofit organizations are invited to participate in the parade by decorating floats and automobiles that represent this year’s Americana theme.  Residents can also arrange for their scout groups, athletic organizations and student clubs to participate as marching units.

Those interested in reserving a spot for their entry can pick-up application forms at Hazelwood Community Center, 1186 Teson Road, or Civic Center East, 8969 Dunn Road.  Five cash prizes will be awarded to the best decorated/themed parade unit.  The deadline for submitting applications is August 24.

Music will be performed by the Hazelwood West High School Marching Wildcats as well as the John Ford Highland Pipe Band.  After the parade ends, the bag pipers will stroll around Howdershell Park and play mini-concerts for the fair goers.

MISS HAZELWOOD CORONATION

At 10:30 a.m., the reigning 2011 Miss Hazelwood Samantha Rieke will host this year’s coronation ceremony on the stage of the St. Louis County Bandwagon located near the tennis courts.  To qualify as a participant, contestants must be young women between the ages of 15 and 19, as well as residents of Hazelwood.  A $500 scholarship and other prizes will be awarded to the new queen.

Applications and contest rules for Miss Hazelwood are available at either recreation center or can be downloaded and printed from the City’s website at www.hazelwoodmo.org.  For more information, contact Jake Junghanel at (314) 731-0980.

Registration deadline is Friday, August 17.  A $75 sponsorship fee is required.  If candidates need assistance in finding a sponsor, the Harvestfest committee will provide them with assistance.

NEW ACTIVITIES

This year’s Harvestfest features three (3) new activities:  a climbing wall; a zip line; and Cabela’s fishing trailer.  These activities are geared to the young at heart, based on age, weight and height limitations. Participants scaling the climbing wall will be wearing harnesses for safety purposes.  The zip line will be inside an inflatable structure, allowing people to strap themselves into a harness before being attached to the line.  Then they can ride it from one end to the other.  Cabela’s, which is an anchor store at St. Louis Mills and the only one in the state of Missouri, will set up a large portable basin filled with fish.  Fishing poles will be provided for catching fish.

CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES

The Children’s Activity Area will feature an inflatable obstacle course and a giant dual slide for younger kids.  An arts and crafts section will be set up inside the tennis courts where kids can decorate three giveaway items, including collapsible Frisbees and water squirt guns shaped like fish. 

For the early birds, a Petting Zoo will be available for the children’s entertainment between 10 am and 12 pm.  Free pony rides will be offered to kids from 1 pm to 5 pm.  In addition, the Home Run Derby for kids, ages 7-12, begins at 11 am.

HORSESHOE TOURNAMENTS

Two tournaments will be held at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm at the horseshoe pits at the park.  The format will involve random draw partnering.  Registration for both events will begin a half-hour early.  Admission is free and open to people of all ages.  Trophies will be awarded to the top finishers.

BINGO SESSIONS

The Hazelnuts will carry on the tradition of sponsoring two Bingo sessions at 12 pm and 2 pm underneath the new park pavilion.  Anyone can play.  Gift cards, small household items and snacks will be given away as prizes.

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT

The headline band for this year is TRIXIE DELIGHT, scheduled to start performing at 2 pm.  This four-piece legendary St. Louis premier cover band plays the song hits from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and now – all on one stage, all in one performance.  Formed in 2001, the band features some of the best musicians in town.  They are Kelly Wild, Lead Vocals/Keyboard; Steve Bunck, Drums/Vocals; Logan Detering, Bass/Vocals; and Clint Wilson, Guitar/Vocals.  Venues where they appear on a regular basis include Busch Stadium, Edward Jones Dome, and the Scottrade Center.  In addition, the lead vocalist, Kelly Wild, performs at two Pageant tributes on a yearly basis for Led Zepplin and Pink Floyd.

ALL DAY ACTIVITIES

USED BOOK SALE

The Community Enrichment Commission will continue accepting books for its Used Book Sale until September 1. Donations can be taken to the Hazelwood Community Center, 1186 Teson Road, or Civic Center East, 8969 Dunn Road. No encyclopedias, textbooks or magazines will be accepted.  For more information, call Pam Reynolds at (314) 513-5072.

At Harvestfest, the Community Enrichment Commission plans to host its annual Used Book Sale under a big tent. Fair goers can browse through hundreds of donated books in good condition and purchase them at a discount price.  All proceeds will be used to purchase newspaper and magazine subscriptions for Hazelwood’s two recreation centers, to support the Commission’s “Reading is Elementary Program,” and to provide resources for the Garden Club.

ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW / INFORMATION BOOTHS

An Arts and Crafts Show will be ongoing on the north side of the park. Also, an area will be set up for local companies to promote their products and services, as well as for charity groups to raise money with game or food booths.  To reserve a booth space for any of these activities, call the Parks and Recreation Office at (314) 731-0980.

CITY SERVICES

The Hazelwood Parks and Recreation staff plans to give away aluminum water bottles, personal first-aid kits and flashlights (batteries not included) to those who stop by the City Services tent.  These items will be engraved with Hazelwood’s “H” logo.   

COMMUNITY SERVICES OPPORTUNITY

The Hazelwood Harvestfest is an excellent opportunity for area high school students to earn some of the Community Service time required for graduation.  Interested students should contact their high school community service coordinator or the Hazelwood Parks and Recreation Office at (314) 731-0980.