That St. Louis summer attraction that excites kids and makes parents cringe is back. Mighty Mud Mania will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 27.

The event will be at Jefferson Barracks Park in south St. Louis County. Advance reservations are recommended because parks officials limit admission so the event doesn't get too crowded.

The main attraction for kids 5 through 15 is the 200-foot long obstacle course that's built on a bed of slippery, gooey mud. Kids are urged to wear only clothes that they don't plan to use again.

But, there are 10 other "clean" fun events such as inflatable rides, treasure sand pits and face-painting. Park officials usually come up with a new event every year.

There are showerheads available to clean up after the mud run. You need to wash off the worst of the mud before you can enter the "clean" events.

Admission for advanced reservations is $6, then $7 at the gate. Adults get in free but they don't get to get muddy. For reservations, call (314) 638-2100 or register online at www.stlouisco.com/parks.

 

Learn a summer hobby: rock painting

Arizona painter Lin Wellford will be in St. Louis in July to show kids how to turn rocks into creative art work. The event is Saturday, July 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The hands-on workshop will be in the Visitor's Lobby of the Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center in Kirkwood. For directions, call (314) 301-1500.

Wellford is a well-known rock artist whose books have sold over a half-million copies. Her latest is "Painting on Rocks for Kids." That provides step-by-step instructions for kids to let them get the most out of their rock collection.

Many kids like to collect rocks during hikes or on vacation. Then, if you know how to paint them, it adds that much more fun.

Here's a chance to learn a neat way to turn your rock collection into decorated paperweights, doorstops or even bookends.

For a sample of Wellford's art, log on to her website at www.linwellford.com