BIG CHANGES for Fair Saint Louis this 4th of July may take many by surprise.
There will be fireworks downtown and a morning parade, but the popular, longtime Fair Saint Louis is taking the year off. That means no big-name concerts under the Arch, no air show, and no alligator-on-a-stick.
"We just decided as a group, you know, let's take this moment and really reimagine what we want the Fair to look like," Fair Saint Louis Foundation Chairman David Estes said, "so, we're tapping the brakes this year."
Estes was asked by reporter Kevin Killeen if the glory has departed.
"Well, there may be those that think that. And to those who do think that, hang with us, bear with us, and we'll come back stronger next year," he said.
Listen to Kevin's interview as part of the evening news:
Estes says there was no lack of money or fear of crime downtown driving the decision. He says they just want to make sure the fair is moving in a direction that people want -- not what the planners think they want.
Fair Saint Louis has been a tradition downtown since 1981, attracting big name performers like Counting Crows, Heart, Neon Trees, Dolly Parton, Elton John, The Beach Boys, Bob Hope, John Legend, and Ray Charles.