This Fourth of July, Celebrate Saint Louis is combining tradition with innovation. While the holiday typically invites reflection and festivity, this year’s downtown celebration is also directing attention toward the future.
Making its debut at the annual event is the Innovation Village, a complimentary two-day interactive showcase highlighting the breakthroughs in science, technology, medicine, conservation, and manufacturing that St. Louis is producing.
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The engaging experience will unite prominent organizations including Boeing, the Saint Louis Zoo, the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, WashU, the University of Missouri–St. Louis, Mizzou, Bayer, Schnucks, Ameren, and World Wide Technology.
“Reflecting on our past and understanding history matters,” explains Jessica Fox, chair of Celebrate Saint Louis. “However, it’s equally vital that we maintain our focus on what’s ahead.”
The exhibit coincides with America’s 250th anniversary and aims to highlight the innovators, organizations, and ideas shaping the coming 250 years.
Five ways to explore the future
Positioned at Live! by Loews in Ballpark Village, Innovation Village guides visitors through five distinct “frontiers” showcasing how St. Louis addresses major global challenges:
- Seeing the World: Explore aerospace and geospatial innovations
- Feeding the World: Uncover agricultural and food production progress
- Healing the World: Investigate medical innovations
- Sustaining the Planet: Investigate conservation initiatives through collaborations like the Living Earth Collaborative
- Powering the World: Learn about breakthroughs in manufacturing, logistics, energy, and retail.
The hands-on nature of the experience makes it particularly engaging for children. “It’s designed as a touch-everything kind of place,” Fox explains.
Visitors can engage with Boeing flight simulators, experience virtual reality demonstrations, view robotics exhibits, and interact with technologies used by regional companies and institutions. Families will also receive complimentary commemorative bracelets themed to the different frontiers.
Why parents should make time for it
Children are familiar with companies like Boeing, the Saint Louis Zoo, WashU, and Schnucks. However, they may not understand the worldwide significance of these organizations—or the career opportunities they represent. Fox believes Innovation Village can help make this connection.
Consider Boeing’s flight simulators as an example. While young visitors may enjoy testing their flying abilities, Fox hopes these activities help them link classroom knowledge to actual careers and innovations.
“I hope this sparks curiosity in the young people who visit,” Fox says. “Perhaps it plants a seed that leads them toward a future in science, technology, engineering, and math—fields they may not have previously considered.”
Fox also anticipates that visitors will be amazed by the amount of innovation taking place in the region. “I think one of the biggest surprises will be the depth and breadth of what’s happening,” she says. “There’s simply so much occurring across so many different areas.”
Planning your visit
Innovation Village will operate from noon–6 p.m. on July 3 and from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. on July 4. There is no admission charge.
Those attending on July 4 can combine the exhibit with the All-American Car Show at Ballpark Village, America’s Birthday Parade, musical performances, drone exhibitions, and fireworks. Additional family-friendly activities and community exhibits will be available throughout the Gateway Arch area.
Fox recommends visitors prepare in advance by checking the Celebrate Saint Louis website for event times and street closures, and using MetroLink as transportation to sidestep downtown parking issues.
If the exhibit gains popularity, it may become an ongoing offering, Fox notes. Celebrate Saint Louis planners aspire to expand Innovation Village with year-round activities and possibly transport the exhibit to different areas down the road.
For the present, families can experience what the future holds—right here in St. Louis. “This is ultimately about possibility,” Fox concludes. “It’s about discovering and learning about the innovations and professional paths that visitors may not have been aware of—or didn’t realize existed in St. Louis.”
