Get Out for Da Vinci, Santana, Fairs and Festivals

Big Muddy Blues Festival
When/Where: On Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Laclede's Landing.
Why go: Enjoy the region’s largest Blues music event, which showcases over 30 Blues and Blues-related bands, performing throughout the weekend on three outdoor stages.
Pricing: The Budweiser Main Stage will be by admission only for $10 per The Lucas and Morgan street stages are free to the general public.
 
St. Nicholas Church Annual Labor Day Weekend Festival  
When/Where: The festival will take place Labor Day weekend the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. The hours for the festival are Friday, from 5:30 to 10 :30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Monday, from 11 a.m. to 8 a.m..
Why go: Enjoy Greek music, food, pastries, entertainment,crafts as well as a tour of the newly renovated sanctuary.
Pricing: Free parking, admission and entertainment. Food and crafts are extra.

The Greater Saint Louis Art Fair
When/ Where: The Art Fair will be on Friday, from  6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Queeny Park, inside the Greensfelder Recreation Center.
Why go: The Art Fair at Queeny Park offers the opportunity to view and purchase original art work directly from more than 130 juried artists from 20 states. Works are offered in various media like digital art, drawing & pastels, printmaking, fiber, glass, jewelry, mixed media, painting - oil, acrylics & watercolor, photography, ceramics, sculpture and wood.
Pricing: The cost is $5 for adults. Children younger than 18 years of age and parking are free. Here is a dollar off coupon.

Santana With Michael Franti
When/Where: Santana will be playing at the Fox Theatre on Tuesday, performance begins at 7:30 p.m..
Why go: It's Santana! He and the band will be bringing their Sound of Collective Consciousness Tour, playing songs from the album Guitar Heaven: The Greatest Guitar Classics of All Time as well as songs from the four decades of their career.
Pricing: Ticket prices range from $40 to $80.

Veteran's Festival
When/Where: During Labor Day weekend, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, pay tribute to our troops by supporting the Veterans Festival.During the festival, special events will be held at the St. Louis Zoo, St. Louis Art Museum, Missouri History Museum and St. Louis Science Center as well as the nearby Missouri Botanical Garden.
Why go: There will be sporting competitions, amusement rides, game booths, concerts and a variety of arts and crafts, as well as a parade. See the schedule for a full list of events.
Pricing: Admission is free.
 
Japanese Festival
When/ Where: The Japanese festival will be at the Missouri Botanical Garden on Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Grounds open at 9 a.m.and remain open until 10 p.m.for candlelight walks). On Monday (Labor Day),the festival will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m..
Why go: Celebrate Japanese culture and tradition at the festival, enjoying music, costumes, dance, food, art, and activities will be available.
Pricing: Admission for people ages 13 to 64 is $15, seniors pay $10, children ages 3 to 12 pay $5 and garden members pay $5. The festival is free for members' children, ages 3 to 12.
 
The Da Vinci Machines Exhibition  "Discover the Da Vinci in You"
When/Where: The exhibit is open now through October 31, 2011 at the Bank of America Plaza at 800 Market Street downtown. The exhibit is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., daily.
Why go: The Da Vinci Machines Exhibition, on loan from the Museum of Leonardo Da Vinci in Florence, Italy, contains over sixty hand-crafted inventions.  Many of the displays, which are interactive, are replicas of the original inventions from Da Vinci. The displays are made by three generations of Florentine artisans. The main features on display include the "bicycle", "spring powered car", "hang glider" and the "air screw", a precursor to the helicopter and for the first time ever, the secrets behind Leonardo's legendary robotic lion.
Pricing: The Da Vinci Exhibition Ticket Prices are $14 for general admission, $11 for students and seniors, $9 for children ages 5 to 10. A family pack for two adults and three children is available for $40.00. Children younger than 5 are free of charge.

The Helmet Hustle
When/Where: This event will take place on Monday, Labor Day. The ride begins at 9 a.m. in Benton Park. If you choose not to register on-line, register from 7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.
Why go: Enjoy a fun bike ride to raise money for Helmets First.  Helmets First’s mission is to provide FREE bicycle helmets for children across the St Louis region. The ride starts at the start/finish line of the Gateway Cup bicycle races and continues on to some beautiful parts of St. Louis. After the ride, hang out in Benton Park and enjoy the races and other festivities. 
Pricing:$20. All participants will receive snacks and drinks at the start/finish as well as the rest area in Jefferson Barracks Park. All riders MUST wear a helmet.  If you do not have one, helmets will be available for a donation (children $10, Adults $20)