Tag: Activities in Sainte Genevieve

Celebrates 300 years of French culture and traditions! Experience living history, live traditional music and more! The Second Saturday in June “Hence I have heard the guitar resound soon after sunset, with the complaints and amorous tales of the village swains, and heard the same hand, which toiled all day in the wilderness and in the waste, strike the tender notes of love in the evening. The custom seemed to pervade all ranks. Nearly every house had its group, and every group its guitar, fiddler, storyteller, or singer. As the evening advanced and the beat diminished, walking commenced, and towards midnight the music of the village united, the little world crowded to the spot and danced with infinite gaiety and mirth till past one in the morning. The Waltz had most votaries; the Pas de deux next, and the Fandango was the favorite of the few remaining Spaniards of the village.” -Thomas Ashe on dancing in Ste. Genevieve The French Heritage Festival is hosted by the Foundation for Restoration of Ste. Genevieve and plays a major part in our Frontier French Calendar of Events. It’s a time for us once again to dress as our French ancestors, and carry on Read more…

Living History at the Linden House – Step Into the Past Every Saturday from late March through early November, the Linden House opens its doors to offer something rare and wonderful: the chance to experience French Creole colonial life not as distant history locked behind velvet ropes, but as living, breathing, tactile reality. This isn’t passive observation—it’s active engagement with the past, where visitors of all ages can touch, try, and truly understand how people lived, worked, and entertained themselves in early 19th-century Ste. Genevieve. A House That Tells Many Stories The Linden House itself embodies the layered history of Ste. Genevieve. Built in stages from 1811/1812 through the 1930s, the structure reflects how families adapted and expanded their homes across generations, responding to changing needs, prosperity, and architectural fashions. The earliest portions date to just after the Louisiana Purchase, when French Creole families were navigating the transition from Spanish and French rule to American governance. Later additions show how the property evolved as the 19th century progressed and eventually entered the 20th century. This architectural palimpsest—where different eras exist within a single structure—makes the Linden House particularly well-suited for living history interpretation. It’s not frozen at a single moment Read more…

Ste. Genevieve County Fair – Where Summer Gets Loud, Fast, and Delicious Every year on the second full weekend in July, the Ste. Genevieve County Fairgrounds transform into the epicenter of summer excitement, where engines roar, metal crunches, crowds cheer, and the irresistible aroma of fair food fills the air. This isn’t some sanitized, corporate-sponsored festival—this is a real county fair with dirt, diesel fumes, demolition, and the kind of unpretentious fun that reminds you why summer in rural America is something special. High-Octane Thrills: The Main Events Truck Pull: Power Meets Pavement Prepare for an adrenaline-pumping spectacle as gigantic trucks—modified monsters with engines—line up to test their raw power against an increasingly heavy sled. The truck pull is primal competition at its finest: driver skill, engine modifications, tire grip, and sheer mechanical force all combine as these behemoths drag massive weight down the track, their engines screaming in protest. For those unfamiliar with truck pulls, prepare to be amazed by the modifications these competitors make to their vehicles—massive tires, engine swaps, custom exhausts, and engineering tweaks that transform ordinary trucks into fire-breathing dragons of torque and horsepower. These aren’t showroom trucks; they’re purpose-built competitors representing hundreds of hours of Read more…

The Sunday After the French Heritage Festival Levee Wildlife Refuge Ste. Geneviève, MO 63670 Call us at 573-880- The famed ornithologist John James Audubon lived for a short time in Ste. Geneviève. Audubon’s Walk is a naturalist lead hike atop the Ste. Geneviève Urban Levee. Come see what shows up: cliff swallows, horned larks, red-winged blackbird, eastern bluebird, and more! Read more…

Brix Urban Winery and Market offers visitors a unique taste of handcrafted beverages paired with small-town charm and historic ambiance. Under new ownership since 2024, Brix is now part of the Schaaf family’s growing collection of beloved local establishments, which includes Pat’s Pastries in Ste. Geneviève, as well as Celebrations, Goose and Gander, and Ebb and Flow in Cape Girardeau. This family dedication to quality and community shines through in every aspect of the Brix experience. Step into their inviting tasting room where you can sample their specialty: homemade mead, the ancient honey wine that’s experiencing a modern renaissance. In addition to their carefully crafted meads, Brix also features Ebb and Flow home brews, bringing the best of the Schaaf family’s beverage offerings together under one roof. Whether you’re a mead enthusiast or curious to try this historic beverage for the first time, their knowledgeable staff will guide you through a tasting experience that’s both educational and delightful. Take a moment to relax under the dappled shade of their picturesque grape arbor—a perfect spot to savor your drink while soaking in the historic atmosphere of one of Missouri’s oldest communities. The outdoor space provides an ideal setting for conversation, contemplation, Read more…