The month of May, alone (and these are just the functions that I attend, and my list(s) are by no means all-inclusive):1) Belleville Art on the Square
May 16-18, 2014
Honestly, I HATE to rate the art fairs, because I am thrilled to live in an area so rich in these fairs, and I love them all - but - Just look at these national ratings!
May 16-18, 2014
Belleville, Illinois
HALLELUJAH!Honestly, I HATE to rate the art fairs, because I am thrilled to live in an area so rich in these fairs, and I love them all - but - Just look at these national ratings!
2014 - #2 in Nation - Art Fair Source Book
2013 - #2 in Nation - Art Fair Source Book
2012 - #1 in Nation - Art Fair Source Book
2011 - #1 in Nation - Art Fair Source Book
2010 - #1 in Nation - Art Fair Source Book
2009 - #2 in Nation - Art Fair Source Book
2008 - #1 in Nation - Art Fair Source Book
2007 - #5 in Nation - Art Fair Source Book
2006 - #9 in Nation - Sunshine Artist Magazine
2005 - Best Small Town Fine Art Show in Nation - Art Fair Source Book
2004 - #25 in Nation - Sunshine Artist Magazine
2003 - #43 in Nation - Sunshine Artist Magazine
(The other local St. Louis Art Fair that was #1 or #2 when Belleville wasn't takes place the second weekend in September in Clayton. I will post the fall events when they approach.
Friday 5 - 10 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Sunday 11a.m. - 5 p.m.
For more info:
http://artonthesquare.com/
2) Chinese Cultural Days
at the Missouri Botanical Gardens
(Granted...the Japanese Festival over the Labor Day Weekend is HUGE compared to this event, but this one, too, has it's merits, and is worthy of a visit. (PSST! Garden members get free daily admission and drastic discounts to the Garden's signature events, such as this festival)
For more info:
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/things-to-do/events/signature-events/chinese-culture-days.aspx
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
3) The first Greek Festival of the season:
A small vendor's market is on premises, and a very authentic band keeps the spirit alive with Greek music, but, really, this festival and the much bigger festival over the Labor Day weekend - it's ALL ABOUT THE FANTASTIC GREEK FOOD!
Take a tip from a seasoned insider: *Arrive early* Park in one of the side lots and take the free shuttle.
This event will become a staple in your yearly entertainment schedule!
For more info:
http://stlgreekfest.com/info.html
4) The Gypsy Caravan
(HELD ONLY ON MEMORIAL DAY - DO NOT MISS THIS ONE!)
This is a **massive** one-day only flea market with hundreds of vendors. The proceeds from the entry fees and the fees the vendors pay for their space rent all go to benefit the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, the oldest of it's kind in the country.
Tip from an insider:
Regular 9:00 AM admission is something like $7. If you don't mind swimming through a sea of humanity when the doors to this event open at 9:00 AM for general admission, go ahead and wait in line and pay that cheaper admission. BUT... if you want 2 hours of shopping - the best choices of merchandise with massively fewer shoppers at you elbows, **ARRIVE** at 6:30 - 6:45 AM... Be willing to pay the $20 / person "Early Bird shopper Fee", and shop the entire event thoroughly before 9:00 AM. Then - when you're shopping that last strip of booths, look up and see the tidal wave of general admission of people flood in, and take a HUGE sigh of relief that you gladly paid $20 to get in early!
HOWEVER.... If it is raining... or if it has rained that past evening, etc... it might not be worth paying $20 to get in early, because many of the outside vendors won't set up in the rain. If no rain - pay $20... get in early - be glad you did - shop till you drop - and after general admission is let in through the gates, go back and take your time, if you want to, to browse a few booths that you might want to go over again.
Over the years that I shop this event, I have bought many things that I still have and use in our home.
For more info:
http://www.stlsymphony.org/gypsycaravan/event-details.aspx
- Michael
(The other local St. Louis Art Fair that was #1 or #2 when Belleville wasn't takes place the second weekend in September in Clayton. I will post the fall events when they approach.
Friday 5 - 10 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Sunday 11a.m. - 5 p.m.
For more info:
http://artonthesquare.com/
2) Chinese Cultural Days
at the Missouri Botanical Gardens
(Granted...the Japanese Festival over the Labor Day Weekend is HUGE compared to this event, but this one, too, has it's merits, and is worthy of a visit. (PSST! Garden members get free daily admission and drastic discounts to the Garden's signature events, such as this festival)
Saturday and Sunday, May 17-18
A 70-foot dragon and lion dancers open this springtime celebration that includes a Grand Parade and acrobatics, theater, martial arts, traditional artwork, tea ceremonies and authentic regional cuisine. Enjoy t'ai chi and tea tasting in the Grigg Nanjing Friendship Garden, where special tours focus on the symbolism of many plant species and architectural details.
Since 1996, the Garden has collaborated with the Chinese Culture Education and Services Foundation to produce an event to celebrate Chinese culture. Hundreds of community volunteers work towards producing a weekend filled with colorful Chinese pageantry, art, music and dance, history and legends, and of course, wonderful food!
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/things-to-do/events/signature-events/chinese-culture-days.aspx
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
3) The first Greek Festival of the season:
A small vendor's market is on premises, and a very authentic band keeps the spirit alive with Greek music, but, really, this festival and the much bigger festival over the Labor Day weekend - it's ALL ABOUT THE FANTASTIC GREEK FOOD!
Take a tip from a seasoned insider: *Arrive early* Park in one of the side lots and take the free shuttle.
This event will become a staple in your yearly entertainment schedule!
For more info:
http://stlgreekfest.com/info.html
4) The Gypsy Caravan
(HELD ONLY ON MEMORIAL DAY - DO NOT MISS THIS ONE!)
This is a **massive** one-day only flea market with hundreds of vendors. The proceeds from the entry fees and the fees the vendors pay for their space rent all go to benefit the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, the oldest of it's kind in the country.
Tip from an insider:
Regular 9:00 AM admission is something like $7. If you don't mind swimming through a sea of humanity when the doors to this event open at 9:00 AM for general admission, go ahead and wait in line and pay that cheaper admission. BUT... if you want 2 hours of shopping - the best choices of merchandise with massively fewer shoppers at you elbows, **ARRIVE** at 6:30 - 6:45 AM... Be willing to pay the $20 / person "Early Bird shopper Fee", and shop the entire event thoroughly before 9:00 AM. Then - when you're shopping that last strip of booths, look up and see the tidal wave of general admission of people flood in, and take a HUGE sigh of relief that you gladly paid $20 to get in early!
HOWEVER.... If it is raining... or if it has rained that past evening, etc... it might not be worth paying $20 to get in early, because many of the outside vendors won't set up in the rain. If no rain - pay $20... get in early - be glad you did - shop till you drop - and after general admission is let in through the gates, go back and take your time, if you want to, to browse a few booths that you might want to go over again.
Over the years that I shop this event, I have bought many things that I still have and use in our home.
For more info:
http://www.stlsymphony.org/gypsycaravan/event-details.aspx
- Michael
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