The St. Louis weekend events guide for Thursday, October 20th through Sunday, October 23rd, 2016.

Downtown

Oktoberfest at Soulard Farmers Market: The big shindig may have been cancelled but Soulard will have an Oktoberfest event. It’s a tent party at Soulard Farmers Market. Your $10 ticket entitles you to a wrist band with full in/out privileges, a souvenir mug and access to the greatest German music and dancing the neighborhood has ever seen. Friday is the opening ceremony in the Soulard Market Plaza, along with entertainment by the Terry Thompson Bavarian Stompers from 5-8p, the opening ceremonies at 6:30-7:30pm and UberCool from 8:30-11:30pm. Saturday we start the festivities in the Soulard Market Plaza with cooking demonstrations from 9-11am, Children German Dancers 11-11:30am, Larry Hallar Duo 11:30am-1:30pm, Terry Thompson Bavarian Stompers 2-5pm, an OcTUBAfest 5-6pm and the Soulard Blues Band 8:30-11pm. Also on Saturday in the VIP Tent, don’t miss the Good Times Band from 11am-1:30pm, and 6-8pm, the Dueschmeister Band 2-5pm and the Wacky Blues Professors from 8:30pm-12am.

Date: October 21 & 22
Time: Fri: 5pm-12am, Sat: 11am-12am
Place: Soulard Farmers Market – 730 Carroll St

Bands of America Super Regional: Music for All’s Bands of America Super Regional Championships are two-day regional events with up to 60 bands each, at world class venues. Super Regionals offer a positively life-changing fall marching band experience for band members, band directors, families and enthusiasts. Up to 60 bands perform in a two-day preliminary competition with 12-14 bands advancing to finals. Enjoy a VIP experience for $150 at this exciting event, allowing you to enjoy every performance from the comfort of a suite. You will also receive a complimentary program book and have certain meals catered during the course of the event. Check Facebook event for schedule of events.

Date: October 21 & 22
Time: Fri: 10am-9pm, Sat: 6:45am-11pm
Place: The Dome – 901 N Broadway

An Evening With Cedric The Entertainer: This 3rd annual gala event supports the upcoming Rosetta Boyce Kyles Women’s Pavilion at SSM Health St. Mary’s, to be named after Cedric’s mother, who lost her brave battle with cancer in 2015. Cedric will be performing as well as comedian George Lopez. In addition, legendary Grammy-Award winning singer-songwriter Smokey Robinson will headline the event in place of Aretha Franklin who had to cancel due to health concerns. Tickets start at $59.50.

Date: Saturday, October 22
Time: 8pm
Place: Peabody Opera House – 1400 Market St

Great Go! St. Louis Halloween Race: A half marathon, 10K, 5K and 1-mile fun run- with a special Halloween twist! The 5K course will be lined with not only your usual water stops but also candy stops for you to trick or treat along the way! The 10K and half marathon courses have some added adventure this year as well! As you run through downtown St. Louis you will have to watch out for the Zombie Zone and you might even see the Ghostbusters in action! The fun doesn’t end when the race is over! Get your top of the line finisher’s medal, and head over to the Trick-or-Treat Village to fill up on candy and treats from local business and organizations. For the over-21 crowd, Michelob Ultra will be on site to help you enjoy a post race brew. Don’t forget your costumes! Prizes will be awarded for 1st and 2nd place in each category with the winners receiving gift certificates and fun giveaways.

Date: Sunday, October 23
Time: 7am and 9:30am
Place: Soldier’s Memorial

Central

Dog Day Friday: Hey dog lovers! Join us for another Dog Day Friday – a Gateway Pet Guardians fundraiser – Friday, October 21st from 4:30 to dusk on the east lawn* at the Grove Brewery & Bierhall! Bring your family & furry friends for: Cold UCBC cans, Grilled hotdogs and brats, and live music! 20% of all sales will benefit Gateway Pet Guardians. In the event of rain, Dog Day Friday festivities – grilling, music, cans, dogs, and all! – will be moved under the terrace next to the Bierhall.

Date: Friday, October 21
Time: 4:30pm
Place: Urban Chestnut – 4465 Manchester Ave

Boo at the Zoo: Starting October 18th nightly, enjoy spooktacular decorations at the Zoo, straw mazes, not-so-spooky rides like the Scarousel, a 4-D Theater for a showing of “Dracula 4-D”, and fireside spooky stories. Admission is $6 for Zoo members, $7 for general public, Free for children under 2, $1 discount for children 2 to 12 in costume with on-site ticket purchase. Boo at the Zoo Spooky Saturday is October 29th.

Date: Oct 18-30
Time: 5:30-8:30pm
Place: St. Louis Zoo

15th Annual Gumbo Flats Pumpkin Run: The annual community run hosted by Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce. Costumes are encouraged. There’s a 5K and 10K and half-mile Children’s Fun Run. Registration for the 5K is $30 through te 21st or $35 day of. 10K is $35 until the 21st or $40 on race day. Fun run is $15. Medals will be awarded. A portion of the proceeds to benefit Wings of Hope.

Date: Saturday, October 22
Time: 5K/10K: 8am, fun run: 9am
Place: Chesterfield Towne Center

14th Annual River Des Peres Trash Bash: Come out and help clean up the rivers and creek within the River Des Peres Watershed in St Louis City and County. We need your help to take care of this valuable natural resource in our community. With the remarkable growth in interest, we’ve expanded volunteer opportunities to include multiple sites throughout the watershed. Several of these are along scenic Great Rivers Greenway trails. Volunteers will meet in the morning at Willmore Park along the River Des Peres Greenway, and Heman Park in University City, or UMSL South Campus. In gratitude, we will supply: Prizes for “Best of” trash contest, lunch, entertainment, and good times.

Date: Saturday, October 22
Time:Sign-in: 8am, Clean-up: 9am–12pm
Place: Willmore Park, Heamn park, UMSL South Campus

Paws on the Pavement 5K/1 mile Fun Run:Join Royal Canin at their 2nd annual event as they celebrate dogs and enjoy the outdoors while supporting a good cause. Walk or run and then hang out after the event for food trucks and fun activities for adults, kids and even your dog! The race benefits CHAMP Assistance Dogs, a 501(C)3 organization in St Louis whose mission is to improve and enhance life skills and promote companionship through the placement of specially selected service dogs with qualified individuals, and further, to always celebrate the mystery and joy inherent in the canine-human bond. Bring your family and friends (even the four-legged ones!) for a day that’s sure to be a hit. Registration Fees: 1 Mile: $10, 5K: $25. Swag: Long sleeve shirt and travel water bowl for all participants.

Date: Saturday, October 22
Time: 8am
Place: Queeny Park – 550 Weidman Rd

St. Charles

Legends & Lanterns, a “Spirited” Journey through Halloween History: Finding its inspiration from the past, this festival will offer the vintage charm of Halloween in the 1910s-1930s, to the historical rituals and customs brought to the holiday by the Druids and Victorians, to the ethereal atmosphere depicted in American ghost stories and Brothers Grimm fairy tales; this event will offer fun for guests of all ages. A little silly, a little macabre, but all in fun, Legends & Lanterns will allow visitors to get in the “spirit” for All Hallow’s Eve. The festival will feature scarecrows, hayrides through history, and 13 ghostly guests with historic Main Street as its backdrop.

Date: October 22 & 23
Time: Saturday 11AM-6PM, Sunday 12-5PM
Place: Main St, St. Charles

Illinois

Concert in the Corn: The Concert in the Corn is the final outdoor music event of the year in the St. Louis area and will be held at the drag strip at Gateway Motorsports Park. Headliners, The Band Perry, will be joined by local stars Drew Baldridge and Whiskey Dixon. Prior to the bands, there will be a Midway pre-show party, Battle of the Bands Concert, displays, activities, and more. Tickets start at just $20. In keeping with the concert’s roots (dating back to when it was held in a corn field prior to moving to Gateway Motorsports Park), the drag strip will be transformed into a giant corn field, employing tens of thousands of harvested stalks.

Date: Saturday, October 22
Time: 1-10pm
Place: Gateway Motorsports Park-700 Raceway Blvd, Madison, Il

Fall Fest and Chili Cook Off: A family friendly festival with Craft Beer Sampling from various vendors in the area, kid friendly activities such as costume contest at 2:45, games, bounce houses, face painting, etc, live music from the Turnpike Cruisers from 4-8pm, and a chili cook-off and sampling with cash prizes!

Date: Sunday, October 23
Time: 1-8pm
Place: Silver Creek Saloon – 2520 Mascoutah Ave, Belleville

Mills Apartments