Say “bye, bye, bye” to April – May is truly tearin’ up our hearts. Visit Gateway Arch National Park this month as this we promise you, you’ll drive yourself crazy if you don’t.

So, what are you waiting for? Get out and enjoy May before it’s gone!

BEYOND LABELS: BRIDGING CULTURAL DIFFERENCES THROUGH STORYTELLING: Saturday, May 4; 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Experience the storytelling model developed by Israeli-born Noa Baum to bridge differences in our communities and classrooms. Discover how listening to and telling the story of the “other” can break through stereotypes and labels to the possibility of compassion and change. Explore how personal narratives can expand our understanding of history.

Participants will learn an interactive model demonstrating how storytelling can be an effective tool to open dialogue and to foster peace and tolerance in communities. This is a great program for educators as well as community members.

Participants will also learn techniques to deepen listening past opinions and labels, build community and make connections with others, explore diversity and appreciate differences, and understand how storytelling can enhance the study of history. Free. Registration is required at cvent.com/d/66q3jd/4W. Program will be held in the Arch Visitor Center Educational Classroom.

ST. LOUIS STORYTELLING FESTIVAL 40^TH ANNIVERSARY OPEN HOUSE: Saturday, May 4; 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Celebrate the 40-year partnership between the park and the St. Louis Storytelling Festival! Visitors of all ages can participate in interactive activities, including viewing scenes of past festivals from the park’s photo collection, and sharing their favorite story. Jane Bergey, who helped coordinate the festival in the park 40 years ago, will share memories and stories of the first festivals. Storytellers Bobby Norfolk and Jim Gerst, who have told stories at the Arch over the years, will greet visitors. Refreshments will be served while supplies last. Event will take place on the Arch Visitor Center Mezzanine.

STRONG WOMEN, COMPASSIONATE HEARTS: Saturday, May 11; 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
In honor of Mother’s Day and in celebration of the contributions made by 18^th-, 19^th– and 20^th-century women, join Gateway Arch National Park for “Strong Women, Compassionate Hearts” outside the Arch’s new west entrance. Throughout the free, day-long program, visitors of all ages can take part in a variety of activities including art projects, skits, dress-up and toy-making.

Activities include:

• Participate in skits about free African-American women, presented by the Missouri Historical Society (10 a.m. to 1 p.m. only).
• Take part in a special activity highlighting newspaper women from Nebraska, presented by the Bi-State Development Arch tram operations team.
• Participate in a quilling – a paper craft – project, presented by Never Bored Creations from Ste. Genevieve, Missouri.
• Make a buzz saw, a popular children’s toy of the 19^th and early 20^th
• Hear diaries of women pioneers heading West.
• Dress up as women of the West (includes photo opportunity).
• Participate in a petition activity about Virginia Minor and women’s right to vote.

If it is raining, the event will be moved indoors to the Arch Visitor Center mezzanine and Education Classroom.

KIDS TO PARKS DAY: Saturday, May 18; 12-4 p.m.
Celebrated annually on the third Saturday in May, Kids to Parks Day is a national day of play that connects kids and families to their local, state and national parks. Head to the mezzanine inside the Gateway Arch Visitor Center for these special daytime activities:

• Participate in the Night Skies Junior Ranger program. Complete a Junior Ranger booklet and earn a unique Night Skies patch.
• Explore the constellations with the flight crew from the Challenger Learning Center! The center’s portable planetarium will be set up in the Arch Visitor Center and host a star show that will allow visitors to see the universe like never before.
• Meet PBS KIDS’ Nature Cat and take photos.
• Take selfies in the star-studded photo booth.

GATEWAY TO THE STARS: GHOSTS OF THE ARCH GROUNDS: Saturday, May 18; 8-10 p.m.
At 8 p.m., meet at the west entrance of the Gateway Arch for “Ghosts of the Arch Grounds,” a ranger-led twilight talk. Long before the Gateway Arch was built, the area served as the core of St. Louis, evolving from a French-style fur trading post to a warehouse district, to the present-day national park site. Learn about the events, personalities and tragedies involved in the development of a great city. 

Weather permitting, this talk will be followed by free telescope viewing on the West Entrance Plaza from 8:30 to 10 p.m., led by volunteers from the St. Louis Astronomical Society. The nearly full moon and other objects will be seen. The ranger talk will be cancelled in the event of heavy rain, while the telescope viewing will need at least partly clear skies. Call 314-655-1708 the afternoon of May 18 for an update on the weather status.