Fair St. Louis’ home sweet home: downtown or riverfront
Officials behind Fair St. Louis/Live on the Levee have a huge decision on their hands.
They must figure out which locale is best for the summer events that this year brought Black Crowes, Joss Stone, and Anthony Hamilton to town.
Flooding caused the annual events to move from their usual scenic perch on the riverfront to what was meant to be a temporary location downtown at Soldier’s Memorial Plaza, turning Live On the Levee into Live Off the Levee.
Now that the dust has cleared and the water has receded, organizers are deciding whether to return to the riverfront next summer or stay downtown.
Let’s look at this for a second.
Nothing beats a Live On the Levee concert, sitting near the base of the Arch with the river serving as a backdrop to one of your favorite performers. That ambiance, complete with fireworks, is nothing short of killer. But if the performer is especially popular, Live On the Levee is a logistical nightmare in terms of parking and just getting around.
Then there’s Soldier’s Memorial Plaza. It’s home to a number of other summer events, which makes it feel less than special. But there’s room for growth, and that appeals to the organizers.
Where do you think Fair St. Louis and Live On the Levee should take place next year?
Photo: Fireworks explode over the Mississippi River July 4 during Fair St. Louis
Photo credit: Emil Rasinski
Kevin C. Johnson has covered the St. Louis' music and nightlife scene for the past decade. 
The Arch. Period.
It is a shame that they would think about leaving the archgrounds. I think the city should do even more to make the arch grounds more alive in the warm months. It is a national park that is not being used to its fullest potential.
On the Levee or Off the Levee, this concert series is the coolest thing that St. Louis has going for it. Thanks to the sponsors who make it possible and the orgaziners who pull it together.
The Arch grounds are the best place by far. However, I’m not sure how the Danforth Foundation’s plan for a migration museum just off of Memorial Drive help the logistical challenges of having concerts on the riverfront stage?
I do not understand everyone saying we need to rethink the Arch grounds. They are not the problem. Many people, including Danforth, want to turn this area into another version of forest park. They say the park is underutilized. I say that the areas immediately south of the arch is the disgrace that should be rebuilt. Same goes for north of the landing. The riverfront is much longer than the area directly in front of the Arch. We need to also remember that the this city does not own this park, it is the property of every citizen of this country. It is also a memorial. Does anyone else think that it is ironic that the city wants control of this land and at the same time they are trying to get the NPS to take responsibility for the Soldiers Memorial that they have neglected for decades?
As far as the parking ‘problems’ that people think need to be addressed, there are literally dozens of lots and garages in the downtown area. So you need to walk 4-6 blocks, is everyone going down there that lazy? Its not the county, we don’t need hundreds of acres of parking surrounding every venue so people can park right next to them. Many urban areas lack parking for everyone. Try going to New York or Chicago and park right next to were you want to go. If its possible you will be amazed at what you pay for it.
It should be at the Arch. It’s ashame the VP Fair that I grew up with has dwindled down to nothing. At least keep the concerts on the archgrounds, or why bother.
I can’t believe there is even a question in the minds of the developers. Go back to the Arch! It only makes sense to have this event to showcase our city revolve around the #1 symbol of St. Louis.
The Arch and riverfront are the coolest place in downtown - we should be showcasing that, not bringing people to a generic park downtown. I felt the fair this year was a huge letdown and would probably quit travelling to the fair if it were taken off the riverfront. This is an attraction that draws people from all over - taking it away from our only landmark and perfect atmosphere on the river would be a HUGE mistake. Besides, it’s not THAT hard to get to the fairgrounds - people have been doing it for decades and it’s only easier now with metrolink.
Make the Arch work… It’s all about ambiance and atmosphere.
Kerri
Don’t call it Fair St. Louis, for it isn’t; and, you can have it anywhere you want.