Patch Picks: Memorial Day Celebrations

: The Compton Heights Concert Band has been performing free concerts in St. Louis since 1976. The band's summer season kicks off every year with a Memorial Day Concert in Tower Grove Park in south St. Louis. Everyone is invited to bring a blanket or lawn chair and gather round the bandstand on May 30 at 3 p.m. 

: Alton, IL is just across the bridge. It has made it's own mark on Memorial Day history as holds its own place in the history of Memorial Day as the city has hosted a parade every year to honor those who have fought and fallen for their country since the first official proclamation of Memorial Day in 1868. The 144th celebration of the event will start on May 30 at 2200 College Ave., and continue to the Upper Alton Cemetery at 2090 Oakwood Rd. The parade begins at 10 a.m.

: The service will begin at 2 p.m. May 29 at St. Charles Memorial Gardens, 3950 West Clay St. The service will feature participation from St. Charles County veterans organizations that will lead a Parade of Colors, prayers and songs in remembrance of fallen heroes. The ceremony also will feature the After Hours Community Band, lighting of the seven-day candle flame, a rifle salute and taps. More than 500 veterans' names will be read aloud and poppies will be placed on a wreath in their honor.

Gypsy Caravan: The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is partnering with the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) for the 39th annual Gypsy Caravan. About 400 vendors from across the county will be setting up shop in the UMSL parking lot to move antiques, jewelry, furniture, clothing, trinkets and much more. The event will be held on May 30 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with entry costing $5 a person to support the orchestra and its education and community programs.

Park It: Every Hazelwood park has a grill and lots of fun ways for the children to play. Pick one whether a smaller scene like , a mid-size like or one of the larger ones like or park and get to grilling and chilling with family and friends.

Big Band Patriotic Salute: The Florissant Fine Arts Council will be continuing their series of Big Band concerts with this Patriotic Salute on May 30 starting at 7 p.m. Featuring Gary Dammer on trumpet and 17 other St. Louis musicians, the concert will be hosted at the as part of the annual Applause/Applause concert series.  Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for seniors and students. You can call 314-921-5678 for ticket information and to make your reservations.

Spring to Dance Festival 2011: The University of Missouri St. Louis Touhill Performing Arts Center  will be celebrating Memorial Day weekend by hosting the 4th annual Emerson Spring to Dance Festival. Dance companies from across the Midwest will be showcasing their own blend of cutting edge and classic from the evening of May 26 through May 28. For $10 a ticket, you can witness intense footwork of famous nationwide troupes like Hubbard Street 2, the Chicago Human Rhythm Project and the Dance Theatre of Harlem. There’s a new program each night, so go all three nights for three completely different experiences.

Stay at Home: This is a three-day weekend and for the 9-to-5 worker it a rarity. Enjoy your home or stop by some family members and grab some grub. Let this be a relaxing stress free mini-vacay.  Appreciate the freedom to nothing that we all share as Americans and remember those who fought so you could have it.

: is a community carnival organized by volunteers in University City, Missouri. The goal of organizers is to bring people to Heman Park to welcome the arrival of summer by having a good time together. Fair UCity 2011 will kick off with a community parade starting at noon on Sunday on May 29. There is a carnival through May 30 that begins at 11 a.m.