St. Louis Celebrates Veterans and Community

ST. LOUIS, Aug. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The three-day Veterans Festival in Forest Park on Labor Day has snowballed. Beginning Saturday, September 1 from 9 am to 10 am, a 40+ line up parade, headed by the famous eight-hitch Clydesdales, starts at Faulkner Drive and will make its way down Jefferson to Theatre Drive ending at Cricket Drive in front of the Muny. Anheuser-Busch is the premier sponsor of Vet Fest 2012.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120720/CG40865)
 

The three-day festival, hosted by Robert R. Hermann, founder and Dave Morgan Chairman was initiated in 2011, to provide a multitude of Veterans' services and programs funded by the Veterans Resource Foundation--a designated 501(c)(3) foundation. Military exhibits and 16 bands will perform throughout the weekend with something for everyone from rock to blues to country. See absolutely free Vote for Pedro, Freedom-the Navy Mid-South Band, Starlifter-the Air Force Band, Superjam, the Rockin' Chair Band, Pick'n Lik'n, Zak Weber and Nikki Hill to name a few.  More great activities include: simulators of real fighter jets, golf tournament, bike ride, vintage car displays, fighter jet fly overs and more.

"This is the biggest Festival as far as free goes," said Dave Morgan, Festival Chairman. "With the line-up we've got, you'd expect to pay $100, and it's all free. Great entertainment for the entire family." Food and beverages will be available for purchase

The extravaganza of free fun for people of all ages features battle reenactments from a variety of eras:

            French Indian War-1754-1763,

            Revolutionary War- 1775-1783,

            Mexican American War -1846-1848,

            Civil War -1861-1865,

            World War I - 1914-1918,

            World War II- 1939 -1945

The Festival will showcase historic military vehicles and equipment enabling the military to perform its functions including a Flyover of military aircraft, EAA//Young Eagles, F/A18 Hornet Simulator, TH 57, UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter, CH-47 Chinook Helicopter, Tanks, Humvee, River Patrol Boats, WWII Vintage Tank and M5 Stuart Tank. Plus a 12-passenger F-18 Navy Simulator for the public to experience first-hand what it's like to launch, land and navigate a fighter jet. 

The F-18 features live-action Navy films programmed to move in sync with point-of-view imagery presented on a large screen— a firsthand, interactive experience that's as close as you get to flying a real F-18.

This first-of-a-kind Festival now in its second year has carved out its place in the Veterans Village in Forest Park. The Festival will raise funds for Veterans' programs and provide information and access to Veterans resources for the 511,253 Veterans in Missouri, 78,568 Veterans in St. Louis County and 21,890 Veterans in the City of St. Louis.  (The U.S Census Report 2006-2010.) Hundreds of military officials from all branches will be on site, plus Veterans turning out to be part of a Festival dedicated to provide men and women in uniform the support they deserve for protecting our country and our freedom.

"You don't have to be a Veteran to be part of the Festival," said Dave Morgan. "This event invites everyone of all ages."

The Forest Park Trolley will be running every 20 minutes from 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. for your convenience. Ticket prices are $2.00 for Adults; and $1.00 Children 5-12 (4 and under Free) and Disabled and Seniors*

*Senior fare valid ONLY with Metro's Sr. Reduced Fare Permit.

For more information on the Veterans Festival in Forest Park, visit www.vfstl.com.

SOURCE Veterans Festival in Forest Park