Historical June 1979 source. Dates, prices and contacts describe the original period, not current availability.
4 pm thru 10 pm Grand Basin Fireworks display — a city-wide Fourth of July Celebration featuring Area a special concert by the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and exciting water spectacular on Grand Basin and traditional fireworks for view- – ing froin Art Hill and almost anywhere in the park.
Forest Park willonce again-take on a festive atmosphere as a wide variety of special activities are conducted during the entire summer of 1979 to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition (1904 World’s Fair) — which was A FAIR TO REMEMBER. These activities are intended to commemorate the Fair, with no attempt being made to recreate the Fair, and the goal is to present programs that will attract large numbers of visitors of all ages to Forest Park and once again make it the hub of excitement of the St. Louis area. The following is a list of specific events being conducted by various agencies and organizations, with coordination provided by the St. Louis Department of Parks, Recreation & Forestry.
Sunday, May 27 thru Tuesday June 26 A series of organ recitals on Tuesday evenings at 8:00 pm and Sunday afternoons at 2 pm and 3 pm. The programs will be based on one of the main events of the 1904 World’s Fair — a series of organ recitals performed by world famous organists in a Fair pavilion. Through the generosity of master organ builder, Martin Ott, and the Trinity Lutheran Church in Kirkwood, a mechanical action pipe organ of neoclassical design will be played in Sculpture Hall. Museum visitors will hear Stephen McKersie play selections by Bach, Widor, Handel, Purcell and Sain-Saens which were popular during the time of the World’s Fair. Sunday music programs will feature selections for organ only and last approximately thirty minutes; the one hour Tuesday evening programs will feature a variety of musical presentations with additional musical accompaniment. The Choir of the Second Presbyterian Church, a chamber orchestra, and brass will enhance the organ music on various evenings. Performing in the series are Earl Naylor, Kathleen Thomerson, Jay Peterson, Tom and Emily Pearce and Joseph O’Conner.
Saturday, June 16 10 am thru 9 pm “A FAIR TO REMEMBER” 10:00 am — Parade through Forest Park featuring a variety of floats and bands, beginning at the DeBaliviere entrance and terminating at the Grand Basin. 11:00 am — Opening Ceremonies Remainder of the day will include continuous entertainment on three stages featuring the acclaimed Katherine Dunham Dancers, Tom Bonham Puppets, American Airlines Style Show, The Legend Singers, The Salty Dogs, Missouri Folklore Performance, David Hines Quintet, Cambooley, Mid County and Carondelet “Y” gymnasts, Arts and Education Playmakers, Simone’s 7th Veil Dancers, Polish National Alliance Folk Dancers and Singers, Boxing and Big Band. Additional entertainment will include international foods of at least eleven countries, ethnic entertainment, sailing regatta and canoe flotilla, physical fitness testing in the Health Services Exhibit of the American Red Cross, a City living exhibit by Neighborhood Marketing Services highlighting St. Louis’ many restoration areas and animals from the St. Louis Zoo. The Pike, a mile-long stretch of amusements, theatres and restaurants will be remembered in a scaled-down form. Craft exhibitions, ethnic food and cold beer will delight visitors to the recreated Pike. A German beer garden and an Irish Village will offer refreshments in a foreign ambiance reminiscent of the Exposition. Many other attractions and displays of interest and enjoyment. 8:00 pm — Concert by St. Louis Symphony, funded by the Community Development Agency.
Sunday, June 17 11:00 am to 8:00 pm “A FAIR TO REMEMBER” — Continued Same activities as indicated above taking place throughout the entire day (no parade or opening ceremonies). Entertainment on the stages will include Cahokia Mounds Indian Dancers, the Legend Singers, Katherine Dunham Dancers, Great Gravois Gypsies, Jan Mahannah, Ozark Renaissance, Junior Tambouritzans, Happy Tappers, Ozark Cloggers, Missouri Folklore Performance, Arts & Education Playmakers, North County “Y” and St. Charles County “Y” gymnasts, boxing, Simone’s 7th Veil Dancers, Folkloreco Azteca. Added enjoyment will be a balloon ascension during late afternoon hours.
Saturday, June 16 1 pm and 2 pm Free architectural tours of their building which is the only building still standing in Forest Park that was a part of the 1904 World’s Fair.
Saturday, June 16 /
Sunday, June 17 9 am 12 noon 3 pm Visitors to Forest Park will have the opportunity to relive the 1904 World’s Fair on a unique tour into the past. The sights and sounds of the Fair will be brought alive by an expert guide. A special feature will be visits to Central West End mansions where dignitaries from the Fair were entertained. Visitors will be received by authentically costumed hostesses who will take them through the homes. At the end of the tour, champagne punch will be served in an elegant garden. Departures: Jefferson Memorial. Cost Per Person: $7.75 — includes transportation, guide, Central West End Association donation, refreshments. Seating is limited. Send check or money order to the St. Louis Scene, Inc., 6900 Washington, St. Louis, Missouri 63130 for reservations. Include your name, address, and phone number and date and time preference. Reservations must be received by June 14. Bus provided by Trailways.
Saturday, June 16 /
Sunday, June 17 1:30 pm “St. Louis — That Fabulous Summer” a documentary film featuring scenes of the Fair and interviews with those who remember visiting the Fair. Produced by Laclede Gas Company.
Sunday, June 17 1 pm to 4 pm Reception for older adults of the St. Louis Metropolitan area. Music, refreshments, demonstrations of art activities and taped interviews on World’s Fair Memories.
Monday, June 18 6 pm to 8 pm Summer Solstice Picnic Party — Box dinners available for purchase, games and frisbee contests for children, music provided by the Grand. Fuzz and a free sky show in the Star Chamber. Reservations required for box dinners only. Call the McDonnell Planetarium, 535-5810, for information and reservations. 7:00 pm The 30 piece Arts & Education Concert Band will present a program of music actually played during the “Fair” with narration by Jack Carney.
Saturday, June 16 /
Sunday, June 17 12:00 noon to 8:00 pm Grand Basin Continuous tours on a trolley of sites in Forest Park of significance Area from the 1904 World’s Fair, such as the Bird Cage at the Zoo, the World’s Fair Pavilion, the Jefferson Memorial Building, the Art Museum, etc. Narration of the tour provided by Mr. Harry Fender. Cost of the trolley tour will be 50¢ per person. Tickets on sale in Grand Basin Area at “A FAIR TO REMEMBER.”
Sunday, July 15 1 pm to 6 pm “Mayor’s World’s Fair Cup Tournament” — an all sports day in Forest Park to include tournament play in softball, baseball, soccer, rugby, tennis, golf and racquetball. Coordinated with the sports will be an old fashioned picnic on Picnic Grounds #16 east of the Art Museum: People are invited to bring a basket lunch or purchase refreshments that will be available in this area, including Olympia beer that will be sold to benefit Muscular Dystrophy. Organized games and a fishing derby will be conducted for children. Awards presentation at 4:00 pm featuring celebrities from the sports world, followed by a band concert at 5:00 pm. Hot air balloon ascension. Sunday, July 15 1:30 pm “St. Louis — That Fabulous Summer” a documentary film featuring scenes of the Fair and interviews with those who remember visiting the Fair. Produced by Laclede Gas Company.
Monday, July 16 thru
Sunday, July 22 A series of events are planned at the McDonnell Planetarium commemorating not only the 75th Anniversary of the 1904 World’s Fair, but also the 10th Anniversary of the Walk on the Moon. These are as follows: July 16-22; various times “OASIS IN SPACE” — a film/lecture series from the Cousteau Society. A series of six ½ hour color films that conduct an extensive philosophical search for answers to unsolved questions about the world’s most pressing social and environmental problems. The series climaxes in a multi-media show and live lecture by Cousteau diver photographer, Bill Macdonald. Jefferson Memorial ‘ McDonnell Planetarium
Sunday, August 12 thru
Sunday, August 19 8:00 am to 7 pm Balloon Field “Hole in One” Tournament. Registration information available from the Globe-Democrat.
July 16; 7:30 pm “VISIONS OF.TOMORROW” — a mixed media lecture with live music followed by questions provides a fascinating look at 1979 as it was predicted to be in the 1930s and 1940s.
July 17-20; 3:00 pm “FRONTIERS OF SCIENCES” — guest lecturers, speaking on a variety of topics including Black Holes, the role of computers in today’s society and Space colonies.
July 18; 9:30 pm Movie Picnic — NASA’s the Eagle Has Landed, space cartoons and other films will be projected onto the exterior of the Planetarium.
July 20-21; 7:00 pm St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra and Guest Speaker — under the direction of Gerhardt Zimmerman, 110 musicians will perform Gustav Holst’s symphony, “The Planets” and the main movements from “Star Wars” and “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.”
July 20-21; 8:30 pm The St. Louis Jazz Quartet featuring Jeannie Trevor — National touring ensemble.
July 20-21; 9:00 pm Modern Dance and Aquaphonics — This environmental piece is the potential artistic highpoint as dancers from Washington University and the world famous Nikolais Dance Theatre perform outside to electronic music and the dazzling colored water effects of Aquaphonics.
July 20-21; 10:00 pm “IMAGINATION” — this international award winning multi-image three screen slide presentation features the narration of Star Trek’s William Shatner and the music Of RCA recording artist, Isao Tomita.
Saturday, July 21 12 noon 1:30 pm 3:30 pm “The Many Thaces’ of the Moon” — an original program of myths, folk tales, and legends about the moon is presented by Tom Bonham’s Puppets. This half hour program will entertain adults and children alike. The program will conclude with a re-enactment of the first lunar landing mission.
Other features at the Planetarium during this week include:
Moon Rock Display — actual lunar sample will be on exhibit.
Live Laser Music — performed several times daily. St. Louis musicians will provide a live musical background for a striking laser light show. Children’s Drawings and Space Art Display — Adults and children’s arts promotes the theme of art and science together.
Sky Show — offers St. Louisans a look into the world of astronomy.
Science Show (Sundays at 1:30 and 3:30 pm) — A live 30 minute series of fast moving experiments is conducted by “Mr. Science” using volunteers from the audience. Solar power, “cold light,” magnetism, chemical combustion, and rocketry are among the featured topics.
Friday, August 17 —
Saturday, August 18 —
Sunday, August 19 Dwight Davis Living Legend Tennis Tournament — a pre-requisite of the Tennis Center tournament is to be over 35 years of age. This tournament will feature players who were at the height of success during the 1960s. Players will include Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall and Butch Buchholz.
Saturday, September 15 1 pm to 6 pm Nine Hole Forest Park Balloon race will feature approximately 50 hot air Golf Course balloons launching at 4:30 pm. Photo contest preceding launchadjacent ing. Refreshments available. Largest sporting event in St. Louis to Skinker in terms of attendance and attracts crowds over 100,000. & Lindell Rain date
Sunday, September 16.
Saturday, July 21 Francis Field Spirit of St. Louis Drum and Bugle contest. Washington Approximately 20 drum and bugle units in national University competition.
Original photograph caption
Original A Fair to Remember event guide, page 10. The Paper, June 1979.
Originally published in The Paper, June 1979.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Two-page event guide has floating venue labels and nonchronological OCR sections; original full-page images preserve the authoritative layout and complete details.
Original source: SD_Times1979_06.pdf, printed page(s) 10, 11; PDF page(s) 10, 11.
