Places to Go, Things to Do

Two vacation shows; more Black History

February is often the coldest month of the year, but there are a couple big indoor shows this month to give you and your families ideas about summer vacations. One exposition is in downtown St. Louis and the other is in St. Charles.

We've also got information about additional Black History Month events.

There are many other events to keep you and your families occupied during February. You might even like to venture outdoors for winter urban trout fishing and watching maple syrup being made.

(Each month, Young Saint Louis.com looks for Places to Go; Things to Do that will appeal to kids and their families. Some events charge admission but most that are mentioned have free admission.)

St. Louis Boat and Sport Show

The St. Louis Boat and Sport Show will be held at the America Center and Edward Jones Dome from Wednesday, Feb. 6, through Sunday, Feb. 10.

All sorts of boating and vacation gear will be on display, with plenty of people to explain the latest in equipment for your upcoming vacations.

For information, call (314) 567-0020 or visit www.stlouisboatshow.com. This event does charge admission.

All-Canada Show

In recognition that lots of Missourians make Canada a vacation destination, resorts and other vacation spots regularly come south during the winter to give residents an early view of what's available.

This year, the All-Canada Show will be held Friday, Feb. 8, through Sunday, Feb. 10, at the St. Charles Convention Center.

For information call (535) 327-7220 or visit www.allcanadashow.com. This event also charges admission.

Black Heritage Month at
Jefferson National Expansion Memorial

The Jefferson National Expansion Memorial will celebrate Black Heritage Month all 29 days of February. The Memorial grounds include both the Arch and the Old Courthouse.

Historical characters will be portrayed and storytellers will perform throughout the month, which this year includes an extra "leap year" day. The Dred Scott Trial and the Underground Railroad will be reenacted.

For information, call (314) 655-1700 or visit www.gatewayarch.com.

Missouri Botanical Garden

The Missouri Botanical Garden will celebrate Black History Month on Saturday, Feb. 16, through Monday, Feb. 18, with activities dedicated to Missouri-born scientist George Washington Carver.

Hours will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

In addition to special events, the celebration will include walking tours of the George Washington Carver Garden, located on the west edge of the garden. The 1½-acre features several inspirational quotes from Carver as well as a life-sized bronze statue of the scientist.

For information, call (314) 577-9400 or visit www.mobot.org.

Missouri History Museum

The Missouri History Museum has a variety of events celebrating Black History Month.

On Thursday, Feb. 21, the museum will offer a "Syncopation, Sax and Sopranos: A Celebration of African and African American Musicians." This is a collection of film highlighting music from the St. Louis area.

One highlight is from the 1950s when talent scout Arthur Godfrey interviewed St. Louis classical singer Grace Bumbry. Included are performances by Bumbry of some of her best works.

The St. Louis African Chorus will perform Sunday, Feb. 10. And there will be a discussion of African American Cemeteries and burial practices on Sunday, Feb. 17.

Admission is free. For information, call (314) 746-4599 or visit www.mohistory.org.

Winter Urban Trout Fishing

If you want to get in some more trout fishing in St. Louis area lakes, February might be a good month. This month the Missouri Department of Conservation will end its monthly winter stocking of 15 lakes in the St. Louis area.

The stocking began last November when the lake water got cold enough to sustain the trout. The stocking program began more than 20 years ago to give urban kids and their families a chance to fish for trout close to home. The MDC probably will do its last stocking of new trout sometime during the first two weeks of February. To get the latest information on the stocking, you can call the Urban Fishing hotline at (636) 300-9651.

For more detailed information, visit www.mdc.mo.gov/fish/.

Maple Syrup Making

Last month, the Rockwoods Reservation hosted an event where maple trees were tapped for sap. This month, the sap will be boiled down to make delicious maple syrup.

The Maple Syrup Festival will be held at Rockwoods Reservation on Saturday, Feb. 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Because of an expected crowd, people planning to attend should park in the LaSalle Middle School parking lot just across Highway 109 in west St. Louis County. Then, buses will shuttle people to and from the event.

For information, call (636) 458-2236 or visit www.mdc.mo.gov/areas/stlouis.

St. Louis County Parks

Unique events featured at Faust Park's Carousel during February are Fun Friday Puppet Shows. They will be held on February 8, 15, 22 and 29 from 10-10:30 a.m.

Admission includes a complementary twirl on the Carousel.

For information, call (636) 537-0222.

Laclede Quartet Kids' Competition

Auditions for young (Grades 4-12) string players will be held Saturday, Feb. 23, and Sunday, Feb. 24, for the Laclede Quartet's spring youth concert. That concert will by March 16, at 3 p.m.

Audition applications and a $10 registration fee must be received by Monday, Feb. 18.

For information, call (636) 379-8216 or e-mail Lqviolin2@charter.net.