History of Fair Saint Louis... Celebrate St Louis Concert Series

V.P. Fair and Fair Saint Louis

In 1981, Saint Louis businessman Robert R. Hermann organized a group of civic leaders to create an event that would unite the region in a joint effort to promote Saint Louis to the country and the world.

With the help of 100 community leaders and approximately 1,000 volunteers, the first three-day V.P. Fair was held on the Saint Louis Riverfront July 3-5, 1981. The 90-acre Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, with the majestic Gateway Arch operated by the National Park Service, provided the perfect setting for what was to become known as "America's Biggest Birthday Party."

Under the leadership of Mel Loewenstein, September 1994 saw the name of the V.P. Fair changed to Fair Saint Louis. This new title more effectively showcases the civic pride and spirit of the people of the Saint Louis region. The name Fair Saint Louis acknowledges that this event is produced by Saint Louisans, for Saint Louisans and their guests from all over the world.

Support from both local and national sponsors enables the Fair to bring the best entertainment to Saint Louis each year. The Fair combined live music and entertainment with educational activities, delicious food and magnificent fireworks to bring multiple days of fun to Saint Louis. Entertainers such as Bill Cosby, Kenny Rogers, Liza Minnelli, Dolly Parton, Bob Hope, The Beach Boys, Ray Charles, Elton John, and The Black Eyed Peas have been a part of the Fair, as have numerous political leaders including then Vice President George Bush and his wife, Barbara, and former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Warren Burger.

The Fair Saint Louis Foundation, formed to organize and operate the Fair each year, has donated numerous gifts to the Saint Louis community in conjunction with the Fair. Over the years, the Foundation has contributed the lighting of the Eads Bridge, the Mississippi River Overlook, the mile-long Riverfront Promenade, and was a partner in providing two Grand Staircases beneath the Arch as a part of the National Park system.

Celebrate Saint Louis... Celebrate St Louis Concert Series

In the spring of 2005, after several calls to the Mayor's office from residents of Saint Louis, Mayor Francis Slay recognized the desire of the people to have FREE live entertainment available on the Riverfront all summer long. With the help of the Saint Louis Convention and Visitors Commission and six short weeks of planning, Celebrate Saint Louis...Celebrate St Louis Concert Series was born. The initial-three night event included entertainers such as Macy Grey, Blues Traveler, and Collective Soul along with fireworks each night before crowds of 20,000+ people. Celebrate St Louis Concert Series seemed to be just what the Saint Louis community was looking for, drawing all kinds of people and families to the riverfront for good music, excellent food and phenomenal fireworks.

Fair Saint Louis/Celebrate Saint Louis

Shortly after the kickoff of Celebrate St Louis Concert Series, organizers of Fair Saint Louis and Celebrate Saint Louis recognized their similar formats and shared commitment to the downtown Saint Louis revitalization, and in December 2005 the two organizations merged to form Fair Saint Louis/Celebrate Saint Louis. This merger was formed to celebrate the newly renovated downtown Saint Louis through a summer long celebration of FREE, live entertainment and phenomenal firework finales to the riverfront for a total of six weeks.

The corporate sponsors of Fair Saint Louis/Celebrate Saint Louis strongly support this summer of events with financial resources and by providing personnel to produce this massive spectacle. Over 1,000 volunteers contribute their organizational skills and efforts to produce the Fair and Celebrate St Louis Concert Series each year.

In its inaugural year Fair Saint Louis/Celebrate Saint Louis generated $95,000 for 20 local charity groups and increased retail revenue to the downtown community by 30%.

The greatest contribution to the community however, continues to be the excitement Fair Saint Louis and Celebrate St Louis Concert Series bring to Saint Louis beginning every Independence Day and continuing through July and August.

Over the years, Fair Saint Louis has grown as a Midwestern summer festival, attracting hundreds of thousands of locals and visitors alike to the Saint Louis Riverfront.