Little River Band to Entertain at Olivette On the Go Fall Festival

Olivette may be a small community, but their revitalized, annual, three day festival is no small affair. Formerly the Olivette Summer Fest renamed and revamped, the Olivette On the Go Fall festival showcases “Cool Changes” that left the festival committee thinking “It’s a Long Way There” when planning began last October.

“Little River Band was on our list and they were available,” said Larry Gerstein. Performing their hit songs such as “Cool Changes,” “Lady” and “It’s a Long Way There,” national touring act, Little River Band, will entertain festival goers Sunday, Oct. 2 at 7:15 p.m. making this a St. Louis event worth “Reminiscing” about long after the festival closes.

“We expect the event to be bigger than the last few years. We expect a couple of thousand for Little River Band. We are planning on the grass field to be covered,” said Jeff Wade, Director of Parks and Recreation in Olivette. Bring lawn chairs and blankets and come early to reserve a spot.

The festival opens Friday, September 30 at 3 p.m. with a carnival and FredBird will be available to meet and greet youngsters and the young at heart.  A bonfire will light up Stacy Park Friday, at 8 p.m. and the hot sounds of the Steve Ewing band will follow. Ewing is from the National touring band, The Urge. The Soulard Blues Band will play Saturday, October 1 at 5 p.m., Johnny Rawls is at 6:45 p.m. and Billy Peek takes the stage at 8:30. Troy Clark opens for Little River Band Sunday at 6 p.m.

Saturday events begin with a softball tournament. Team sign up is available on the festival website. Enter a team or just come watch local players battle it out for a title win.

Saturday activities include a chili cook-off sponsored by the Creve Coeur and Olivette Chamber of Commerce, demonstrations by World Martial Arts, exploring the five senses with The Magic House, a noodle eating contest by Noodles and Company, karaoke, swing dance lessons and Blues music featuring local and touring bands. Sign up for the chili cook-off and noodle eating contest on the Olivette On the Go website.

Sunday events start with a 5K run, a fun run, and the continuation of the softball tournament.  The Magic House will offer “Mad Hatter Hats” class, Dave Simon’s School of Rock will highlight some of its rising stars, Kidzrock will perform, the Academy of Dance will show off their dance group, Pizzaz and Everyday Circus will perform.

Free admission to the festival includes all weekend activities and concerts but does not include carnival rides, food, or drinks. Carnival rides require the purchase of tickets or a wristband. Wristbands are offered for a special price for unlimited rides Saturday 2-6 and Sunday 1-5.

Wade said, “We are hoping to create a very community oriented event where everyone can have something to do. They can bring their kids and the adults still have something to keep them entertained.”

New this year, the beer and wine garden offers Smoking Moon Pinot Noir and Chardonnay by the glass and Miller Lite, Coors Light, Blue Moon, Heineken, and Sam Adams Octoberfest by the cup or the pitcher. Food is available to purchase from local restaurants and the flavors range from Thai to Mexican to Italian to Southern BBQ to American.

Bring lawn chairs, blankets and the family, but keep Rover at home. Wade said, “No cooler or pets are allowed. It is unusual for Stacy Park.” He said the no pet policy is more for safety reasons and the no cooler policy is so people will support the local businesses offering food and drinks.

Volunteers are still needed and there are still sponsorship and vendor space available. “We will take volunteers up to the day of the event and sponsors and vendors up to a day or two prior,” said Wade.

For more information visit http://www.olivetteonthego.com.