Bark in the Park, sponsored by the Humane Society of Missouri, is one of the largest dog festivals in the Midwest. Now in its 25th year, the kid and pet-friendly festival features entertainment, food, Pro Plan Performance Team Exhibitions, fun activities for kids, pet contests and vendor booths — all while benefitting the Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Fund, dedicated to investigating, healing and preventing animal abuse.
Lace up your sneakers and grab the leash to walk, jog or run (with or without your pooch) in the chip-timed 5k race, or take a leasurely stroll during the 1-mile Walk for Animals.
Registration opens at 8 a.m. and is $25 per person through April 30 ($10 more after) and includes an official Bark in the Park t-shirt. Dogs and kids 12 and under are free.
Saturday, May 19 at Cricket Field in Forest Park. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. More information: hsmo.org
There are more than strawberries (but plenty of those too) at this festival! Kids can enjoy carnival rides, a petting farm, wagon rides, the children's playground and lots more.
Don't be late for this very important date! the Fancy Tea Party at the Butterfly House will have you feeling fancy and acting silly while celebrating mommies, grammies and aunties. Bring your kiddos to enjoy tasty treats, delightful drinks, fun crafts and more.
See the Zoo's California sea lions perform acrobatic and athletic feats, including Olympic-style dives on a high-diving platform, flipper walks, frisbee tosses and plenty of surprises. While on stage with the sea lions, the Zoo's trainers explain sea lion behavior and positive-reinforcement training, in addition to the need for conserving the sea lion's ocean habitat.
Young visitors and their families are invited to the Energy Stage to enjoy interactive read-alouds of science-themed picture books. Story times are followed by a short demonstration or discussion connected to the book's main concepts.
Explore the Saint Louis Zoo in the evenings at the new Animals Aglow exhibit. Bring your family to experience the luminous glow of 50 towering lanterns depicting animals, plants and traditional Chinese elements. Don't miss this celebration of culture and art!