This year would have been a milestone year for Fair Saint Louis; instead, ongoing concerns about public safety in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the cancellation of the 2020 Independence Day celebration in downtown St. Louis.
Scheduled for July 2, 3 and 4, the event would have been Fair Saint Louis’ 40th year and the 138th annual America’s Birthday Parade.
“While we are saddened to cancel two of our region’s most popular and free Fourth of July celebrations, the safety of our community is of utmost importance to us,” said Fair Saint Louis chair David Estes. “Fair Saint Louis and America’s Birthday Parade embody the prideful spirit of our city, and over the past few weeks, we’ve seen that spirit shine so brightly within our community as we face this unthinkable challenge together.”
The decision to cancel the events was made by the Fair St. Louis Foundation and America’s Birthday Parade boards, the City of St. Louis and the National Park Service, in coordination with key sponsors and stakeholders.
“We look forward to returning to downtown St. Louis and celebrating with our community in the future when the time is right,” said America’s Birthday Parade chair David Plufka. “Until then, please stay safe and be mindful of the health and safety of others. We are in this together and we will get through this together.”
