August 30, 2017

America’s Biggest Birthday Party Will Mark the Grand Opening of the New Arch Experience

Fair Saint Louis is returning home and will mark the Grand Opening of the new Gateway Arch experience. After four successful years at Forest Park, Fair Saint Louis will return to its original home since 1981 at the Gateway Arch, Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. The 2018 Fair will coincide with the completion of the CityArchRiver project, a $380 million renovation of the Gateway Arch grounds and surrounding areas, in partnership with the Gateway Arch Park Foundation, the non-profit that raised the private funds for the project and will continue to support the park moving forward.

“The Arch now, more than ever, stands as a shining symbol of our great city,” said Todd Schnuck, chairman of Fair Saint Louis Foundation. “We are excited to be a part of the rebirth of our iconic calling card to the world. The Foundation is thankful to the City of St. Louis and all our partners at Forest Park for providing the Fair an amazing home the last four years. The Fair could not occur without the unparalleled support provided by the City, our many other governmental partners and of our corporate and individual sponsors. We are proud to again partner with the National Park Service and the City as we return to the Arch grounds and we look forward to celebrating with our entire St. Louis community and guests from near and far.”

Fair Saint Louis 2018 is set to take place on July 4, 6 and 7, and will include fun and exciting elements that fair-goers have grown to love over the 37 years of the festival including great music, food, family activities, the return of the world famous air show, and of course nationally recognized fireworks displays each evening. This year, the Fair will also include new elements and themes highlighting the historic renovations that transform the visitor experience at the Arch.

“We knew the community made this project possible and they deserved a huge celebration to mark the grand opening of the new Arch experience,” said Carolyn Kindle Betz, chairman of Gateway Arch Park Foundation. “The return of Fair Saint Louis to the Gateway Arch park is the perfect way to bring St. Louisans and visitors to the park to discover all of the improvements.”

The CityArchRiver project is a public-private partnership between the National Park Service, City of St. Louis, Great Rivers Greenway, Bi-State Development, Missouri Department of Transportation, Gateway Arch Park Foundation, Jefferson National Parks Association, and many others. Highlights of the project include a new park over the highway that connects the Arch to downtown St. Louis, a raised riverfront to dramatically decrease flooding, 11 acres of new park space that includes 5.4 miles of new pathways, a new entrance to the Arch visitor center (which is expanded by 46,000 square feet) and all new museum exhibits that tell the story of America’s westward expansion and the important role that St. Louis played. The project also includes a newly renovated Kiener Plaza.

“The National Park Service has partnered with Fair Saint Louis for three decades to celebrate the birth of our nation,” said Mike Ward, superintendent of Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. “We are excited to have the Fair back at the Arch to celebrate the revitalization of our site and we invite the community to come rediscover their National Park.”

Mayor Lyda Krewson says the City is enthusiastic to see the Fair back under the Arch. “The City of St. Louis and Mayor’s Office have been proud partners of Fair Saint Louis since its beginning back in 1981. We are excited to see the Fair back at the Gateway Arch grounds to help celebrate our nation’s independence in conjunction with the completion of the renovation. It’s going to be THE place to celebrate Fourth of July next year,” said Mayor Krewson.

Details about Fair Saint Louis 2018 will be continually added to www.fairsaintlouis.org. For more information about the exciting changes at the Gateway Arch park area, visit www.archpark.org.