Two days of celebrations are planned for the Gateway Arch’s 50th anniversary this October.
According to organizers with the CityArchRiver Foundation and Great Rivers Greenway, citizens and dignitaries will gather on Wednesday, Oct. 28, near the Old Courthouse to commemorate the moment when builders set in place the landmark’s crucial keystone. The Missouri History Museum is also hosting an exhibit and panel discussion that day.
Bigger crowds, however, are expected on Saturday, Oct. 24, for a day-long celebration at nearby Kiener Plaza, said Ryan McClure of the CityArchRiver Foundation.
“There will be music, bands all day, kids and family activities, food and drink vendors,” he said. “At the end of the night, there will be fireworks showcasing the Arch, a world-class fireworks display.”
Much of the Arch Grounds and underground museum are still under construction and won’t be ready to host visitors for the anniversary, but many aspects of the $380 million renovation project will be complete by then, said McClure. That includes all road construction projects that MoDOT has been working for the past several years and the Luther Ely Smith park over the highway.
More information about the anniversary events can be found at www.gatewayarch dot com.
