Places to Go, Things to Do

Live OFF the Levee and other July 4 events

The July 4 weekend activities in downtown St. Louis will be focused away from the Arch grounds this year. "Live on the Levee" is going to be "Live OFF the Levee" because of the flooding conditions on the Mississippi.

But, there is going to be plenty of entertainment in downtown St. Louis. The 131st Veiled Prophet Parade will on Market Street, starting at 10 a.m. on the 4th.

Then, the live concerts and fireworks will be for four weekends. The "Live OFF the Levee" concerts are on July 4-5, July 11-12, July 18-19 and July 25-26.

The concert venue has been moved from the riverfront to the Soldiers Monument at 1315 Chestnut, a block south of the St. Louis City Library.

You also want to check in your local community for July 4 weekend events.

There are a number of other activities and events during the rest of July that will be good for kids and their families.

(Each month, Young Saint Louis.com compiles a list of events or activities in which our readers and their families might like to take part. We're especially interested in those activities where admissions are free or minimal.)

Veiled Prophet Parade

The 131st Veiled Prophet Parade will be held on Friday, July 4, starting at 10 a.m. at the corner of Washington Ave. and 4th St. The parade route moves to Market and then west to Union Station.

Admission is free.

For full parade information, check www.vpparade.org. Or call (314) 636-6500.

Live OFF the Levee concerts

The Live OFF the Levee concert weekends start on July 4-5 and then will happen the rest of the weekends during July.

One of the special activities for kids is the KidZone. These are special events for kids featuring such things as the appearance of the Rams Cheerleaders, MUNY Teens, Zapa Dancers and Mad Science of St. Louis.

The evening show starts at 6 p.m. with the headline act coming on about 8 p.m.

Fireworks start each evening about 9:15 p.m.

The evening show performers are:

July 4:	1 p.m. Tween star Drake Bell 6 p.m. Shannon Nicole 8 p.m. Joss Stone
July 5:	6 p.m. Gloria Brand 8 p.m.Anthony Hamilton
July 11:	6 p.m. a double-bill with Umphrey's McGee and Sound Tribe Section 9
July 12:	6 p.m. Borderline 8 p.m. Lonestar
July 18:	6 p.m. Steel Train 8 p.m. O.A.R.
July 19:	6 p.m. Marquise Knox 8 p.m. WAR
July 25:	6 p.m. Grace Potter and The Nocturnals 8 p.m. Black Crowes
July 26:	6 p.m. LAPUSH 8 p.m. Our Republic

Other July 4 events

Patriots in the Park at Granite City, IL. will be Friday July 4 at the Coolidge Middle School. The Master's Voice Choir starts the program at 8:15 p.m. with fireworks scheduled for 9:15. For more information, visit www.granitecity.com.

Also, check your local or nearby communities for more July 4 Weekend events.

Geocaching at Alton

The National Great Rivers Museum will be the site of a series of geocaching programs on Saturdays during July and August. The July dates are July 5, 12, 19, and 26. Each event starts at 9 a.m.

Geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunt where participants find the treasures with the aid of GPS equipment.

The museum is located at the federal Lock and Dam at Alton, IL.

For information, visit www.mvs.usace.army.mil/Rivers or call 1-877-462-6979.

Free admissions at Botanical Garden

The Missouri Botanical Garden will have two free admission days for all visitors during July.

The first is on Friday, July 4, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The other is Thursday, July 24, when the Garden celebrates the 208th birthday of founder Henry Shaw. That day will have a host of outdoor entertainment events from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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

Historic Village at Faust Park

Faust Park Historic Village

The Historic Village at Faust Park in west St. Louis County will have two more open house weekends during July. They will be July 21-22 and July 28-29. Hours are from 1 to 5 p.m. each day.

Admission is free.

The village includes the 1850s Conway house and an 1849 log cabin. There are also gardens, a smokehouse and a working blacksmith at the Yokel Barn.

For information, visit www.stlouisco.com/parks or call (636) 532-7298.

Trailnet bike rides

Trailnet has five different rides scheduled for July. They are:

Friday, July 11: The Puffin Pedal ride starting at the St. Louis Zoo. This 5-mile ride explores the paths outside the Zoo. Then, after the ride, you can go into the zoo to see all the special events. Admission is free. Registration 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Sunday, July 13: The I Scream for Ice Cream ride starts from the Cyclery and Fitness Center in Edwardsville, IL. Registration is 7:30 to 9 a.m. The routes of 23, 35 and 44 miles include a stop for discounted frozen custard at Anne's Frozen Custard.

Sunday, July 20: Bike St. Louis City Tour ride starts from Anheuser-Busch at One Busch Place. Registration is 7:30 to 9 a.m. These routes go through some of St. Louis' most historic neighborhoods. You also can try the Velodrome. Routes are 16, 24 and 35 miles.

Thursday, July 24: Petal Pedal ride starts from the Missouri Botanical Garden. Registration is 10 to 11 a.m. The 5-mile route uses a Bike St. Louis route to Tower Grove Park. After the ride, admission to the Garden is free.

Sunday, July 27: The Peach Pedal ride starts from the Mills apple farm in Marine, IL. Registration is 7:30 to 9 a.m. The routes are 21, 37, 44 and 54 miles. Returning from the ride, the cyclists will find fresh fruit and fresh-from-the-oven pies and tarts.

For more information, visit www.trailnet.org.

Area shooting ranges

The Missouri Department of Conservation features both staffed and unstaffed firing ranges for area sportsmen. They are:

Jay Henges Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center on Antire Road in St. Louis County. This is a staffed range. A fee is charged for use. For information, (636) 938-9548.

The August A. Busch Memorial CA Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center in St. Charles County. This also is a staffed range. Fees for usage are charged. For information, call (636) 300-1953, Ext. 251.

Unstaffed ranges:

Kessler Memorial Conservation Area in Lincoln County. For information, call (636) 441-4554.

Little Indian Creek Conservation Area in Washington County. For information, call (573) 468-3335.

Huzzah Conservation Area in Crawford County. For information, call (573) 468-3335.

National Ice Cream Day

The Family Fun Days event for July at the Missouri History Museum is a National Day of Ice Cream on Saturday, July 19. (Actually, the official federal Ice Cream Day is Sunday, July 20.)

The program includes free photos in the F-4 Phantom at the Museum's Flight City exhibit. There will be ice-cream-themed storytelling and a 1904 World's Fair music program.

Of course, there will be free ice cream treats.

Hours are 1 to 4 p.m. Admission is free. For information, call (314) 746-4599. Or visit www.mohistory.org.