St. Louis has a rich history and is known for it’s vibrant culture, great art, friendly community and some of the best food and drink in America. For three years, Sauce Magazine and the Laumeier Sculpture Park have combined the best of all the aforementioned attributes to create the Harvest Festival. This festival is the ultimate celebration for the changing seasons in St. Louis. Thousands of people from Missouri and the Midwest flock to St. Louis to ring in the season. Live music fills the air all day as you take in breathtaking art exhibits and the best food in the city.
What is a harvest festival without featuring some of the harvest? The festival has many different farmers and local growers who showcase their delicious fresh produce and handcrafted artisan goods. You’ll find handmade products like chocolate, tea, salsa, cheese and so much more. For the adults in attendance there are five breweries and wineries that bring their delicious drinks for sampling and purchase. All ages will love the food selection. There are at least nine different food establishments featuring their delicious and diverse menu options for you to enjoy. With so much to offer, this is a great place to bring the entire family for a fulfilling and fun day. ResortsandLodges.com got the opportunity to interview Lauren Kistner, the Marketing and Communications Manager of the Laumeier Sculpture Park, to talk about the festival.
RAL: Tell me a little about the Harvest Festival.
LK: This is the third year that Laumeier Sculpture Park has partnered with Sauce Magazine to host the Harvest Festival on our park grounds, although the annual event has been going on in St. Louis for several years.
RAL: How many people do you annually draw and what is their demographic makeup.
LK: More than 3,000 patrons are expected to attend this year’s event on Sunday, October 18. Everyone and everything! The Harvest Festival is truly an event with offerings for all ages. We see many families with kids, and couples or groups of friends spending their Sunday together at the Park.
RAL: What makes this festival unique?
LK: Why, the venue, of course! Laumeier presents 60 works of large-scale outdoor sculpture in a 105-acre public park, which provides a unique setting for any outdoor event. Together with Sauce Magazine’s expertise in food and beverage offerings and St. Louis’ gorgeous fall weather, the Harvest Festival is a day at the Park that cannot be beat!
RAL: What can attendees expect at the event?
LK: The Harvest Festival features fall foods and beverages from St. Louis’ top restaurants, a farmers market, locally made arts and crafts, hands-on activities for kids, and live music—all set against the beautiful backdrop of the park.
RAL: Is there any local lodging deal set up for the event?
LK: There are no lodging accommodations set up specifically for this one-day event; however, there are several lodging opportunities located nearby along South Lindbergh Boulevard in Sunset Hills.
RAL: What does the festival mean to the community?
LK: With incredibly reasonable admission prices, the Harvest Festival serves as a “friend-raiser” and fundraiser for both Sauce Magazine and Laumeier Sculpture Park. The event brings many people from the greater St. Louis area (and beyond!) to the community of Sunset Hills and to the Park specifically, serving as a great “introduction” to Laumeier for anyone who might not already be familiar with the Park. Admission is $8 for Laumeier Members and $10 for non-members; children ages 10 and under are FREE! Visit www.harvestfeststl.com for more information.
RAL: Why should people come to the festival?
LK: Laumeier Sculpture Park is a tourist destination unto itself, but the Harvest Festival is a wonderful celebration of fall, offering an enhanced visitor experience that is casual, welcoming and engaging.
For more information on the festival please visit their website.