Culture & History

Photos: Independence Day festivities dazzle thousands in the St. Louis region

St. Louis Public Radio | By Brian Munoz,

Published July 5, 2023 at 6:00 AM CDT

Lois Gain, 12, of Affton, gestures to the crowd while dressed up as the Statue of Liberty on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, during the annual Community Days Parade in Webster Groves. — Lois Gain, 12, of Affton, gestures to the crowd while dressed up as the Statue of Liberty on Tuesday during the annual Community Days Parade in Webster Groves.

Americana shone brightly Tuesday as residents across the St. Louis region flocked to Fourth of July parades, fairs and fireworks.

Families filled lawn chairs in Webster Groves that had been saving their spots along the Community Days Parade route for days. The St. Louis County suburb has been hosting the morning parade for more than 50 years, according to the Webster Groves Historical Society.

Roughly 60 miles southwest of St. Louis, in Steeleville, Illinois, thousands poured out to watch or walk in the rural town's annual parade. "This was one of the largest I've seen," said parade organizer Tanya Newby.

And come evening time, St. Louisans again gathered downtown near the brick-lined banks of the Mississippi River to view the Fair St. Louis fireworks show.

See photos from festivities from across the St. Louis region by photojournalists Brian Munoz and Tristen Rouse.

Joanne Edwards reaches into a kiddie pool filled with ice and bottles of water on July 4, 2023, during the Steeleville American Summer Celebration in Steeleville, Ill. Edwards was on the Rotary Club’s parade float, where she and others threw water to spectators sitting in the hot sun. — Joanne Edwards reaches into a kiddie pool filled with ice and bottles of water on Tuesday during the Steeleville American Summer Celebration in Steeleville, Ill. Edwards was on the Rotary Club’s parade float, where she and others threw water to spectators sitting in the hot sun.

Jim Appelbaum, 78, of St. Louis, salutes during the playing of the National Anthem on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, during the annual Community Days Parade in Webster Groves. — Jim Appelbaum, 78, of St. Louis, salutes during the playing of the national anthem on Tuesday during the Community Days Parade in Webster Groves.

Members of Boy Scout Troop 348 lounge in a trailer before the start of the Steeleville American Summer Celebration on July 4, 2023 in Steeleville, Ill. — Members of Boy Scout Troop 348 lounge in a trailer before the start of the Steeleville American Summer Celebration on Tuesday in Steeleville, Ill.

From left: Webster Groves Recreation Center lifeguards Alissa Crespi, 17, and Kenzie Christopher, 16, help Allyson Christopher, 15, put the finishing touches on her face paint on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, before the annual Community Days Parade in Webster Groves. — From left: Webster Groves Recreation Center Lifeguards Alissa Crespi, 17, and Kenzie Christopher, 16, put finishing touches on 15-year-old Allyson Christopher's face paint Tuesday before the annual Community Days Parade in Webster Groves.

Neala Tanurchis, 4, of Creve Couer, watches as the final touches are put on the Webster Gardens float on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, before the annual Community Days Parade in Webster Groves. — Neala Tanurchis, 4, of Creve Coeur, watches as the last tweaks are made to the Webster Gardens float on Tuesday before the annual Community Days Parade in Webster Groves.

Chester High School junior Emma Murhpy awaits the start of the parade on July 4, 2023, during the Steeleville American Summer Celebration in Steeleville, Ill. Murphy is a first-year member of the school’s dance team. — Chester High School junior Emma Murphy awaits the start of the parade on Tuesday during the Steeleville American Summer Celebration in Steeleville, Ill. Murphy is a first-year member of the school’s dance team.

Summer Brouk, 22, of Maplewood, waits for her shark costume to inflate on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, before the annual Community Days Parade in Webster Groves. — Summer Brouk, 22, of Maplewood, waits for her shark costume to inflate on Tuesday before the annual Community Days Parade in Webster Groves.

Summer Brouk, 22, of Maplewood, sticks her nose up to a clear opening as she waits for her shark costume to inflate on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, before the annual Community Days Parade in Webster Groves. — Summer Brouk, 22, of Maplewood, sticks her nose up to a clear opening as she waits for her shark costume to inflate on Tuesday before the annual Community Days Parade in Webster Groves.

Vans, trucks and cars make their way down Broadway Street on July 4, 2023, during the Steeleville American Summer Celebration in Steeleville, Ill. An estimated 10,000 people attended the parade, held in the Randolph County town of less that 2,000 people. — Vans, trucks and cars make their way down Broadway Street on Tuesday during the Steeleville American Summer Celebration in Steeleville, Ill. Several thousands attended the parade, held in the Randolph County town of less that 2,000 residents.

LEFT: Parade spectators stand beneath an American flag on July 4, 2023, during the Steeleville American Summer Celebration in Steeleville, Ill. RIGHT: Ariannah Bradshaw, 7, watches the parade on July 4, 2023, during the Steeleville American Summer Celebration in Steeleville, Ill. She came from her home in Tennessee to see her grandparents — who live in nearby Sparta, Ill. — and the renowned Steeleville parade. — LEFT: Parade spectators stand beneath an American flag on Tuesday during the Steeleville American Summer Celebration in Steeleville, Ill. RIGHT: Ariannah Bradshaw, 7, watches the parade. She came from her home in Tennessee to see her grandparents — who live in nearby Sparta, Ill. — and the renowned Steeleville parade.

Ronan Ferrell, 4, of New York City, blows an American-flag themed pinwheel on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, during the annual Community Days Parade in Webster Groves. Ferrell and his family were in the St. Louis area for the holiday. — Ronan Ferrell, 4, of New York City, blows an American flag-themed pinwheel on Tuesday during the Community Days Parade in Webster Groves. Ronan and his family were in the St. Louis area for the holiday.

Arlo Jones, 6, of Webster Groves, wavs an American flag on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, during the annual Community Days Parade in Webster Groves. — Arlo Jones, 6, of Webster Groves, waves an American flag on Tuesday during the Community Days Parade in Webster Groves.

Brayden Juenger, 15, marches alongside other members of the Chester High School band on July 4, 2023, during the Steeleville American Summer Celebration in Steeleville, Ill. — Brayden Juenger, 15, marches alongside other members of the Chester High School band on Tuesday during the Steeleville American Summer Celebration in Steeleville, Ill.

Meadow Specogni, 4, watches as members of the Chester High School marching band pass by on July 4, 2023, during the Steeleville American Summer Celebration in Steeleville, Ill. Specogni and her family live in nearby Coulterville, and came in to watch the Steeleville parade. — Meadow Specogni, 4, watches as members of the Chester High School marching band pass by on Tuesday during the Steeleville American Summer Celebration in Steeleville, Ill. Meadow and her family live in nearby Coulterville and came in to watch the Steeleville parade.

From left: Hayden Frei, 6, August Oppy, 7, and Jax Schmerber, 7, react as the Webster Grove Marching Statesmen blaze by on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, during the annual Community Days Parade in Webster Groves. — From left: Hayden Frei, 6; August Oppy, 7, and Jax Schmerber, 7, react as the Webster Groves Marching Statesmen perform on Tuesday during the Community Days Parade in Webster Groves.

Goober the clown gets a low-five from a child on July 4, 2023, during the Steeleville American Summer Celebration in Steeleville, Ill. Goober was one of several red, white and blue-decked clowns walking in the parade, distributing candy. — Goober the Clown slaps hands with a child Tuesday during the Steeleville American Summer Celebration in Steeleville, Ill. Goober was one of several clowns donning red, white and blue, walking in the parade and passing out candy.

Children wait to collect boatloads of candy on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, during the annual Community Days Parade in Webster Groves. — Children wait to collect candy Tuesday during the annual Community Days Parade in Webster Groves.

LaTonya R., of St. Louis County, waves as floats go by on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, during the annual Community Days Parade in Webster Groves. — LaTonya R., of St. Louis County, waves as floats go by on Tuesday during the annual Community Days Parade in Webster Groves.

Fourth of July decorations are displayed on the outside of a shed on July 4, 2023, during the Steeleville American Summer Celebration in Steeleville, Ill. — Fourth of July decorations are displayed on the outside of a shed on Tuesday during the Steeleville American Summer Celebration in Steeleville, Ill.

Members of the Williamson County Motor Patrol, part of the Ainad Shrine Temple, spin their cars in circles on July 4, 2023, during the Steeleville American Summer Celebration in Steeleville, Ill. — Members of the Williamson County Motor Patrol, part of the Ainad Shriners, spin their cars in circles on Tuesday at the Steeleville American Summer Celebration in Steeleville, Ill.

“Jarhead,” the official mascot of the Marine Corps 138th League, basks in the sun on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, during the annual Community Days Parade in Webster Groves. — Jarhead, mascot of the Marine Corps 138th League, basks in the sun on Tuesday during the Community Days Parade in Webster Groves.

Kaniya Farmer, a 15-year-old member of the Webster Groves High School Dance Team, waves to the crowd while leading the team Tuesday during the annual Community Days Parade in Webster Groves.

Emy Caruthers, 16, of Webster Groves, performs with teh Helfenstein Avenue dance group on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, during the annual Community Days Parade in Webster Groves. The group bases their performances on the droves of lawn chairs that are set out each year in anticipation of the Independence Day parade. — Emy Caruthers, 16, of Webster Groves, performs with the Helfenstein Avenue dance group on Tuesday during the Community Days Parade in Webster Groves. The group draws inspiration in the routine from the droves of lawn chairs that are set out each year in anticipation of the Independence Day parade.

Members of the Banana Bike Brigade, a group of St. Louis artists “dedicated to the art of the parade,” ride in a parade on July 4, 2023, during the Steeleville American Summer Celebration in Steeleville, Ill. — LEFT: Members of the Banana Bike Brigade, a group of St. Louis artists “dedicated to the art of the parade,” ride in a parade on Tuesday during the Steeleville American Summer Celebration in Steeleville, Ill. RIGHT: Landon Corcega-Farmer, left, and Angela Corcega attempt to catch a toy ball that had been tossed their direction from a parade float.

Anna Kinney, 10, eyes a nearby box of DOTS as her and her sister Campbell Kinney, 8, gather up candy on July 4, 2023, during the Steeleville American Summer Celebration in Steeleville, Ill. — Anna Kinney, 10, eyes a nearby box of DOTS as she and her sister Campbell Kinney, 8, pick up candy on Tuesday during the Steeleville American Summer Celebration in Steeleville, Ill.

Charlie Casey, 16, of Concord, waves while riding her “unicorn” as part of the Holistic Horsemanship Institute of America on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, during the annual Community Days Parade in Webster Groves. — Charlie Casey, 16, of Concord, waves while riding her “unicorn” as part of the Holistic Horsemanship Institute of America on Tuesday during the Community Days Parade in Webster Groves.

Members of the “Defenders of the Unborn” march on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, during the annual Community Days Parade in Webster Groves. — Members of the anti-abortion rights group Defenders of the Unborn march on Tuesday during the Community Days Parade in Webster Groves.

Jerry Ohlau sits in a band of diminishing shade on July 4, 2023, after the Steeleville American Summer Celebration parade in Steeleville, Ill. “My family just left — they all went home,” Ohlau said. “My great-niece’s boyfriend is playing on the legion baseball team. So at 1:00 I’m heading over there.” — Jerry Ohlau sits in a band of diminishing shade on Tuesday after the Steeleville American Summer Celebration parade in Steeleville, Ill. “My family just left — they all went home,” Ohlau said. “My great-niece’s boyfriend is playing on the legion baseball team. So at 1, I’m heading over there.”

Visitors picnic on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, before the annual Fair St. Louis fireworks show along the riverfront in St. Louis. — Visitors picnic on Tuesday in the shadow of the Old Courthouse before the Fair St. Louis fireworks show along the riverfront in St. Louis.

Collin Meyer, 12, of Ballwin, launches a football while playing with other children waiting to watch the Fair St. Louis fireworks show on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, along the riverfront in downtown St. Louis. — Collin Meyer, 12, of Ballwin, launches a football while playing with other children in Gateway Arch National Park before the Fair St. Louis fireworks show on Tuesday.

Spectators watch fireworks on Tuesday, July 4, 2023 during Fair St. Louis at the Gateway Arch. — Spectators watch the Fair St. Louis fireworks show Tuesday night in Gateway Arch National Park.

Fireworks blast over the Gateway Arch and Old Courthouse on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, during the annual Fair St. Louis fireworks show along the riverfront in St. Louis. This year marks the United States' 247th Independence Day. — Fireworks blast over the Gateway Arch and Old Courthouse on Tuesday during the Fair St. Louis fireworks show on the Mississippi River.

McKinley Avant and Blessing Hollins, 2, watch the fireworks show on Tuesday, July 4, 2023 during Fair St. Louis at the Gateway Arch. — McKinley Avant and his daughter Blessing Hollins, 2, watch the fireworks show on Tuesday during Fair St. Louis at the Gateway Arch.

People gather at the top of the Gateway Arch steps, preparing to watch the fireworks show on Tuesday, July 4, 2023 during Fair St. Louis. — People gather at the top of the Gateway Arch steps in preparation to watch the fireworks show on Tuesday during Fair St. Louis.

Andrea Estefania holds Mateo, 2, while they watch the fireworks show on Tuesday, July 4, 2023 during Fair St. Louis at the Gateway Arch. — Andrea Estefania holds her son Mateo, 2, while they watch the fireworks on Tuesday during Fair St. Louis at the Gateway Arch.