Stuff to do June 2013

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International Horseradish Festival
May 31 to June 2 – Woodland Park, Collinsville, Ill.
horseradishfestival.com


Horseradish isn’t the root of all evil if you know how to use it. Take notes at the annual International Horseradish Festival in Collinsville. Growing horseradish is big business in southern Illinois, and the fest celebrates this potent condiment with a root-grinding demo, a recipe contest, “root golf,” a root toss and a bloody mary contest. Past concessions have included deep-fried horseradish pickles and pot-roast horseradish sandwiches. Bring or buy water – you’ll need it.


Midtown Taste & Art Fair
June 1 and 2 – Compton Ave. to T.E. Huntleigh Ave. · 314.367.3146 midtowntaste.com


The food-centric fun at the new Midtown Taste & Art Fair includes a wine tasting by Tavern of Fine Arts, a vodka tasting by Sub Zero Vodka Bar, a whisky tasting by Gamlin Whiskey House, craft beer, concessions by area eateries, a hot-dog-eating contest by Nathan’s and a Food Truck Challenge cook-off. Look for arts and crafts, live music and kids’ activities.


Kimmswick Strawberry Festival
June 1 and 2 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Kimmswick Park 636.464.7407
visitkimmswick.com


They shut down all vehicular traffic in the town of Kimmswick on the first weekend in June for a very important reason: strawberries! The annual Kimmswick Strawberry Festival means vendors will offer strawberry shortcake, chocolate-dipped strawberries, strawberry cheesecake, strawberry iced tea, jars of strawberry jam, and festival foods like kettle corn and barbecue on the city streets. Don’t miss the pony rides, live jazz, street performers and kids’ rides.


St. Louis Brewers Heritage Festival
June 14 and 15 – Central Fields, Forest Park stlbrewfest.com


The sample glass you receive at events like the St. Louis Brewers Heritage Festival is generally small. That’s because, once you get going at a party like this, you need to pace yourself. You’ll find 80 styles of beer at this year’s fest from more than 20 local breweries, including 2nd Shift, 4 Hands, Augusta, Buffalo, Cathedral Square, The Civil Life, Crown Valley, Exit 6, Ferguson, Kirkwood Station, Morgan Street, O’Fallon, Perennial, Schlafly, Six Row, Square One, Trailhead and Urban Chestnut. Between sips, grab a bite from Eleven Eleven Mississippi, Harvest, LoRusso’s and Vin De Set.


St. Louis Garlic Fest
June 15 – 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Carondelet Park
314.570.4945 · facebook.com/gatewaygarlicfest


Kiss the one you love with hot, fresh-garlic breath at the fourth annual St. Louis Garlic Fest from the folks at the Carondelet Garden Urban Farm and the Carondelet Business Association. The Carondelet Garden Urban Farm volunteers have been busy growing 18,000 heads of garlic in 16 varieties at gardens scattered around South City to get ready for the big day. Check out the mini famers market, a raw-garlic-eating contest, a garlic-cooking tutorial and a class that reveals why garlic does a body good. Look for edibles from Black Bear Bakery, Iron Barley, Keeton’s Double Play, I Scream Cakes, Mom’s Kettle Corn, Arthur’s Hamburgers and My Big Fat Greek Truck, and a cooking contest.
Clayton Farmers Market


Saturdays through Nov. 2 – 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 8282 Forsyth Blvd. 314.913.6632
claytonfarmersmarket.com


People who live in year-round warmth have no idea the joys of seasonal farmers markets. With a sigh of relief, we welcome back the Clayton Farmers Market, where local honey, raw-milk cheeses, pastured chickens and produce await in a charming block of tents. Consider locally roasted coffee and warm, made-to-order waffles for breakfast and barbecue fresh from the smoker for lunch. Live music, kids’ activities and community service projects keep things festive.

Check out the events we are sponsoring...

St. Louis Art Museum Grand Opening

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The theme to the much-anticipated opening of the new East Building of the St. Louis Art Museum is “A World of Art.” Join in on a weekend of festivities that include interactive art, food and music.

Saucy Soiree: Reader's Choice Party

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Get a taste of your favorite restaurants and chat with the city’s top chefs at Sauce’s annual Readers’ Choice party. The price of admission includes unlimited tastes from more than 40 area restaurants and drink tickets for wine and beer. Later, head up to the rooftop of the Four Seasons for cocktails on the terrace. Mingle and taste goodies from your favorite establishments, estimated at 40 top restaurants, wineries and breweries. Tastes are plentiful, complimentary and top-notch. Some of last year's restaurants in attendance were Farmhaus, Annie Gunn's, Niche, Sidney Street, Pappy's BBQ, Modesto, Schlafly, Chaumette Vineyards, Companion Bakery, Kakao Chocolate, Eleven Eleven. Tickets just $35 which includes all tastings and two tickets for the beer and wine garden.

St. Louis Art Museum Outdoor Film Series

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Join Sauce and the St. Louis Art Museum for the outdoor film series. This season, with the theme of "Love", you'll enjoy the classics Casa Blanca, West Side Story, Princess Bride, and Roman Holiday. Sauce is proud to bring you a Food Truck Fest for the event. Service begins at 6:30 and goes til the movies start so come early and picnic on your favorite mobile cuisine. Entrance: FREE

Sauce Magazine's Food Truck Fridays

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There is something for everyone at this free monthly event, from tacos to bagels and don't forget the cupcakes. This year, the award-winning event series boasts live blue-grass music and activities for the kids sponsored by the YMCA. The fun keeps going at the Food Truck Friday after-party at The Dam on Morganford, from 8 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Let Them Eat Art

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Maplewood's whimsical tribute to Bastille Day is somewhere between Mardi Gras and the Christmas Tree walk. A self-guided tour through historic downtown Maplewood offering something for everyone. Look for live art, dance performances and hoop dancing as well as plenty of food and beverages from neighborhood favorites.

Field to Fork

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Field to Fork is a celebration of the bounty of southern Illinois. Local chefs prepare a five-course dinner, which is created from fresh ingredients locally grown and sourced from throughout Southwestern Illinois. Guests have the opportunity to meet growers and farmers and to learn about the economic, health, and environmental benefits of supporting local agriculture. Tickets are $70 per person/$500 table for members and $90 per person/$650 table for non-members.

Local Social: Central West End

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Every second Friday, from July to September, from 5 to 9 pm, join a mix of shops, galleries, and restaurants for Local Social. A showcase of local owners, chefs, artists, and more will welcome you to the most walkable neighborhood in St. Louis. Enjoy street entertainment, including live music and visual feats, discounts from your favorite shops, and sips, snacks and bites to highlight all things local.