Places to Go, Things to Do

Great Balloon Race and more in September

The list of Places to Go; Things to Do for September needs to start with the two-day Great Forest Park Balloon Race. But, there are plenty of other places and things that would make for great family fun.

There's a famous-person book signing for kids at the Missouri History Museum on Tuesday, Sept. 27.

Each month, Young Saint Louis.com compiles a list of local events for the current month. This gives kids and their families an advance notice of Places to Go/Things to Do in the metro area. Why don't you try some of them during September.

 

Great Forest Park Balloon Race

The 33rd Great Forest Park Balloon Race will be held Friday, Sept. 16, and Saturday, Sept. 17. (If the Saturday race is rained out, the makeup date is Sunday, Sept. 18.)

The event kicks off on Friday evening with the Balloon Glow from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The Glow will be held on the field just below the World's Fair Pavilion in Forest Park. That's the time when spectators get an up-close look as the gas burners fill balloons with hot air and they glow in the twilight.

The Sunday race is actually a full afternoon of fun. The festivities open at noon. There are lots of different types of entertainment until the race starts at 4:45 p.m. with the launch of the "hound" balloon.

Included in the on-ground entertainment are an all-British car show, a youth performance stage, a photo contest and a parachute team performance.

Admission for the whole race weekend is free and open to the public.

For more about the weekend, visit www.greatforestparkballoonrace.com

 

Caroline Kennedy's Favorite Poems

Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of President John F. Kennedy, will be in town for a book signing at the Missouri History Museum. The Tuesday, Sept. 27, event starts at 7 p.m. in the museum's MacDermott Grand Hall.

Ms. Kennedy will be signing copies of her book, "A Family of Poems: My Favorite Poetry for Children." The book is an anthology of poems that were favorites of the Kennedy family.

The book includes more than 100 poems from five continents. The illustrations are watercolors by John J. Muth.

Ms. Kennedy will be available to sign books but won't be able to personalize them or sign memorabilia.

Doors open at 6:15 p.m. The event is free.

 

Two St. Louis County events

The St. Louis County Parks have a couple fun events in September. One is the exploration of Cliff Cave. The other is an overnite float trip on the Big Piney River.

Cliff Cave was a hideout for Confederate soldiers in the Civil War. On Sunday, Sept. 18, you'll get a chance to explore Cliff Cave Park. A naturalist also will tell of the area's historic significance.

The event is from 1 to 3 p.m. Advance registrations are needed. Call (636) 391-3474.

The 26th annual overnight river float trip on the Big Piney River will be Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 17-18.

This year, the event will be an independent gathering with each person responsible for all costs and arrangements. The event starts from Rich's Last Resort in Duke, MO. Participants bring their own food and beverages. Saturday's dinner will be a potluck.

Advance registrations are required. Call (636) 391-3474.

 

Hiking book and hiking in MDC areas

The Missouri Department of Conservation is featuring group walks and hikes during September. Also, the 2nd edition of he MDC's guide to Missouri hiking trails is available.

The guide is titled, "Conservation Trails: A Guide to Missouri Department of Conservation Hiking Trails." It's on sales at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center.

The guide includes descriptions of 85 trails in 40 different MDC areas. Many of the trails are open to foot traffic only. The cost is $4 in Powder Valley's Nature Shop.

Powder Valley also is offering a Forest Habitat Observation Walk on Saturday, Sept. 17, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. The walk along the Hickory Ridge Trail is for kids 7 and up.

The Rockwood Reservation in west St. Louis County offers hiking on seven varied trails. The trails have names such as Green Rock, Rock Quarry, Lime Kiln Loop, Prairie, Turkey Ridge, Wildlife Habitat Discovery and Trail Among the Trees.

The Columbia Bottom Conservation area offers Hiking 101 for kids 15 and up on Saturday, Sept. 24, from 1 to 2 p.m. This class involves a self-guided trail as well as a chance to do some cross-country orienteering with your GPS.

The August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area is offering a Turtle Walk and Talk for families on Saturday, Sept. 10, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. After studying the turtles in the classroom, participants go outside to observe them in their habitat.

For more information of MDC events, visit www.mdc.mo.gov/areas/stlouis.

 

Trailnet Kids Fun Ride and also walking plan

The Trailnet Fun Ride for Kids is a Back to School Bicycle Ride Sunday, Sept. 18. This one starts at Collinsville (Ill.) Area Recreation Center. Registration is from 8:30-10 a.m.

All the routes are easy and flat. The routes also include trails developed by Madison County Transit, including one called the School House Trail.

Trailnet also announced the Tuesday Night Riverfront Trail Ride season has been extended through September 20.

Also, Trailnet announces support for a Walk to School Education Initiative aimed at encouraging kids get more exercise during the school year. There will be an International Walk to School Week Oct. 3-7.

For more information about Trailnet, visit www.trainlnet.org

 

Art Museum's Family Sundays

The subject for the St. Louis Art Museum's free Ford Family Sundays in September will be "Amazing Modern Art." The events are 1-4 p.m. on Sept. 4, 11, 18 and 25.

The events include touring modern art exhibits and then a hands-on try at creating your own modern artwork.

For more, visit www.slam.org.