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EAST ST. LOUIS, IL - Rich Meyers, executive director of Fair Saint Louis, outlines the new events in Illinois for Fair Saint Louis, during a press conference on the parking lot of the Casino Queen.

East Saint Louis to Host an Expansion of Fair Saint Louis Events and Entertainment
by Bob Moore, SWI-News.com
EAST St. LOUIS, Illinois, (SWI-News.com), April 23, 2003 - For the first time in its twenty-three years inception, Fair Saint Louis will feature events on both sides of the Mississippi River with fireworks, a Memphis-style barbecue championship, the reopening of Eads Bridge, evening air show, Heritage Park and an expanded entertainment schedule.

At a special new conference on the parking lot of the Casino Queen, Fair officials unveiled details of the free three-day festival being held July 3, 4, and 5.

Rich Meyers, executive director of Fair Saint Louis, stated that "The theme this year, "A Salute to Freedom: Honoring the Men and Women of the U.S. Armed Service," was particularly important to us as we've all recently seen the courage of these heroes and what they do for our country."

Meyers commented that new events have been added to keep the event fresh and fun. "Right here, Fair Saint Louis will present the Fair Saint Louis Barbecue Fest, sponsored by Casino Queen, with lots of entertainment, food and attractions. It will give the community a great place to watch the fireworks and airshows," he added.

The Fair has been criticized in the past for lack of parking, easy access to the grounds, lackluster entertainment, method of paying for food and the hours of operation. Officials have addressed these concerns and made drastic changes. "People told that parking was too expensive. This year, thanks to the Casino Queen, we will be able to provide fair-goers with free parking right here in Illinois," stated Meyers.

In addition to the musical entertainment lineup for Illinois, which will be announced at a later date, the Fair will feature NASA's Technology Hall of Fame, a NASCAR race car exhibit and a large display of military equipment including helicopters, tanks, armored personnel carriers, and various training simulators.

In conjunction with this display, the LST-325 Museum Ship used in World War II will be docked on the Missouri riverfront, along with other specialized military watercraft.

Fair Saint Louis this year is adding a major attraction in Illinois - St. Louis' first official Barbecue Championship sanctioned by Memphis in May. "We researched several bonafide Southern-style barbecue cookoff contests in the United States and I can tell you that you've never seen anything like it," stated Meyers. "We're telling people to leave their grills in the garage this Fourth of July and come down to the Fair. We'll have the finest barbecue from two world champions and 35 contestants vying for the top spot."

A "People's Choice" night will be held, July 4, where visitors can purchase a pass to sample entries and vote on their favorite from seven different contestants.

To accommodate access to both sides of the river, the newly renovated Eads Bridge will be open for pedestrian travel on all three days of the Fair.

EAST ST. LOUIS, IL - View of the Illinois entrance to the Eads Bridge, which will reopen for Fair Saint Louis.

"Visitors will be able to cross side by side and enjoy breathtaking views of the downtown skyline, airshows and the fireworks," stated Meyers, noting that the Eads first opened on July 4, 1874. "As part of the reopening ceremony, at 10 a.m. on July 4th, fifteen units of the 126th Annual Veiled Prophet Parade will start off in Illinois and cross the Eads Bridge and join the remainder of the Parade units at Fourth and Washington," he said. The theme this year is "The World Is Our Playground".

The Fair will feature a special Evening Air Show each night at 9:30 p.m. with a fireworks display following at 9:40 p.m. nightly. The Fair will open on Thursday at 3 p.m. and Friday and Saturday at 11 a.m. Vendors on the Illinois side will stay open until 11 p.m. for post-fireworks entertainment and celebrations.

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