Grand Opening Mania!
You’re cordially invited to the grand opening of the new Gateway Arch National Park experience! We’ll cut the ribbon on the Museum at the Gateway Arch on Tuesday, July 3. Join us in celebrating this momentous occasion with an entire week of parties, live music, and lots and lots of fun.
Tuesday, July 3: Museum and Visitor Center Ribbon Cutting Event
10 a.m.: Grand opening ceremony and ribbon cutting at the new West Entrance to the Museum and Visitor Center at the Gateway Arch.
- The ribbon cutting will feature remarks from the National Park Service and the Gateway Arch Park Foundation. St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith will serve as master of ceremonies while local, state and national dignitaries will also be in attendance to commemorate the project completion. The national anthem will be sung by St. Louisan Charles Glenn.
- The #YourArch community photo mosaic, which features photos submitted by Arch visitors throughout its nearly 53 year history, will be unveiled to the public in a special video montage.
- If inclement weather occurs, the ribbon cutting ceremony will take place inside the Arch Visitor Center.
Noon: Museum at the Gateway Arch opens to the public.
- Visitors to the Museum at the Gateway Arch will receive a special-edition, grand opening commemorative coin (available to the first 10,000 visitors).
Tuesday, July 3: Grand Opening Celebration in the North Gateway
11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Free, outdoor community celebration for all ages in the North Gateway, near the Eads Bridge.
- Following the grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony, the Normandy High School Marching Band will lead a public procession from the new West Entrance to the North Gateway for the family-friendly party.
- Activities include:
- Live music from Boogie Chyld
- Food trucks and drink vendors
- Appearances by Fredbird and Louie
- Scavenger hunt throughout Gateway Arch National Park
- Photo booth
- Face painters, caricature artists and oversized lawn games
- Free commemorative cookies for the first 1,000 guests
- Event attendees will receive a special-edition, grand opening commemorative coin (limited quantities)
Wednesday, July 4: Fair Saint Louis
- 9:30 a.m.: 136th America’s Birthday Parade (VP Parade) begins at Union Station in downtown St. Louis
- Noon: Fair Saint Louis opens at Gateway Arch National Park
- 12:30 p.m.: Boeing Air Show
- 5:30 p.m.: Performance by AMELIA EISENHAUER
- 6:45 p.m.: Boeing Air Show
- 8:30 p.m.: Performance by the LOUIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
- 9:35 p.m.: Fireworks presented by Edward Jones
Thursday, July 5: Gateway Arch Park Foundation Summer Social
All day: Community celebration in Kiener Plaza featuring a sampling of events and activities the Gateway Arch Park Foundation hosts throughout the year. All events are free and open to the public.
- 10-10:45 a.m.: Yoga presented by Yoga Buzz
- 11-11:20 a.m.: Family-friendly yoga presented by Yoga Buzz
- 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.: Lunchtime Live presented by Downtown STL, featuring food trucks, live music and oversized lawn games
- 4:30-8:30 p.m.: Food trucks, drink vendors and oversized lawn games
- 6-8:45 p.m.: Live blues concert featuring Jeremiah Johnson and Mr. Sipp
- Fireworks show following blues concert
Friday, July 6: Fair Saint Louis
- 4 p.m.: Fair Saint Louis opens at Gateway Arch National Park
- 4:45 p.m.: Performance by DIRTY MUGGS
- 6:30 p.m.: Performance by ANDY GRAMMER
- 8:15 p.m.: Performance by JASON DERULO
- 9:35 p.m.: Fireworks presented by Edward Jones
Saturday, July 7: Fair Saint Louis
- Noon: Fair Saint Louis opens at Gateway Arch National Park
- 1:15 p.m.: Performance by FIRE FOR EFFECT of the Missouri Army National Guard
- 2:45 p.m.: Performance by DANIELLE BRADBERY
- 4:15 p.m.: Performance by RAELYNN
- 5:30 p.m.: Salute to the Troops ceremony
- 6:15 p.m.: Performance by MICHAEL RAY
- 8:00 p.m.: Performance by MARTINA MCBRIDE
- 9:30 p.m.: Fireworks presented by Edward Jones
Find out more about these events at www.archpark.org/grandopening and www.fairsaintlouis.org.