FALL FAMILY FUN FEST – PART ONE … THE PEOPLE

 Every fall, FOREST PARK FOREVER, the contributor supported organization that plans and maintains the future of Saint Louis’ historic and landmark park in the heart of the city, holds a special get together FUN FEST for the families of its members. And Sunday was that celebration. Since we had been plagued rain and storms most of Saturday evening and throughout most of the over night hours, an outing in the park really seemed kind of iffy for Sunday. But by mid-morning the clouds began to break and the sun managed to peek through and the FUN FEST went off as scheduled.

The Fun Fest takes place on the park grounds surrounding  the historic Visitors And Education Center. Yes, it’s a very Spanish looking building, but you have to remember … after the Native Americans and before the French the Spanish claimed these local lands.

The day kicked off at 11:00 with performance from the Muny Kid Chorus.  These are the kids who appear in the various musical shows presented at the park’s Municipal Theater throughout the summer. (My Tourist Trek visit to the Muny will show up here about Wednesday.) At the Fun Fest the Kids sang and danced to an hour-long medley of songs from all of the summer’s shows. And they were really quite good!Most of the activities at the Fun Fest were directed at kids. They included pony rides …

Instructions on fly fishing …Introductions to birds of prey from animal experts from the Saint Louis Zoo…And also a demonstration on how the native turtles are tracked in the park lands with GPS. You have to remember Forest Park covers 1,371 acres in the middle of the city. These acres are filled with hills, valleys, streams, lakes, lagoons and a native forest …and also three museums, a planetarium, a zoo, ball fields, golf course, tennis and handball courts, a skating rink and sundry other features. And since 1876, it has, (for the most part) been free to all. End of tourist commercial … back to the Fun Fest.

Throughout the afternoon we had live band and girl group presenting the Best of Motown. And also this guy who did his best to get the attention of the Festers, both young and old.

Check the kid in the lower left corner of the photo …

The animal petting area had a much easier time at attracting a crowd.

Who can resist Llarry the Llama?

And since Forest Park was the birthplace of the All-American Hot Dog on a Bun in 1904, it was only fitting that it should top the bill of fare for the day! (No photos of the dogs grilling … the waiting crowd was too thick around the grill.) 

The party had something for all …

From the young …To the young at heart! And where else could you find a bike rack that looked this stylish?

Tomorrow … Part Two – A Sunday Walk In The Park.

Special thanks to my great-nephew Jake for being a kid who can be amazed by everything from a turtle to a see-saw to dragons and will sort of stand still for an occasional photo.