Tag: Events in Missouri

Master Gardeners’ Garden Walk – A Celebration of Historic Gardens and Growing Traditions Every year on the weekend following Mother’s Day, the streets of Ste. Genevieve’s historic district bloom with even more beauty than usual as the Ste. Genevieve Master Gardeners host their annual Garden Walk. This beloved event offers a rare opportunity to peek behind historic fences and garden gates, exploring both private and public gardens that range from authentically recreated 18th-century plots to contemporary landscapes that honor the town’s horticultural heritage. Step Into Living History What makes this Garden Walk particularly special is its setting among Ste. Genevieve’s exceptional collection of historic homes. Several of the featured gardens belong to houses dating back to the French colonial period, and these gardens have been carefully researched and planted to reflect authentic 18th-century design and plant selections. In the 1700s, gardens weren’t just decorative—they were essential to household survival and economy. French colonial gardens typically featured raised beds for vegetables, herbs for cooking and medicine, fruit trees, and perhaps a few flowers chosen for both beauty and utility. Many also included “potagers”—the French term for ornamental kitchen gardens where practical growing and aesthetic design harmoniously coexist. Walking through these historically Read more…

Moonlight Madness – Christmas in July Shopping Extravaganza Who says you have to wait until December to embrace the spirit of the holidays? On the second Wednesday in July, downtown Ste. Genevieve transforms into a midsummer Christmas celebration during Moonlight Madness—a delightful shopping event that combines holiday cheer with summer evening magic. Christmas in July: The Best of Both Seasons There’s something wonderfully whimsical about celebrating Christmas in the heart of summer. Picture this: warm July evening breezes, historic streets lit by shop windows, the relaxed pace of summer vacation—all infused with the festive spirit of the holiday season. It’s the perfect antidote to midsummer routine and a chance to get a head start on holiday shopping without the stress and crowds of December. Moonlight Madness captures the joy of Christmas shopping while leaving behind the cold, the pressure, and the last-minute panic. You can browse leisurely, chat with shop owners, enjoy the evening air, and make thoughtful purchasing decisions without fighting winter weather or holiday traffic. An Evening of Special Shopping From 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., participating shops throughout Ste. Genevieve’s Historic District extend their hours and roll out special discounts exclusively for Moonlight Madness shoppers. This isn’t Read more…

Sassafras Creek Originals is hosting Pioneer Days on the weekend of May 6 and May 7, 2023. You will see feature demonstrations by craft vendors in keeping with the store’s colonial-era theme. Food and refreshments will be available, and live music performances are planned for the weekend. Read more…

Milice Encampment – 18th-Century Living History in Sainte Geneviève Twice yearly—typically the second Saturday in April and October—the grounds of the LeMeilleur House transform into working 18th-century military camp as the Ste. Geneviève Militia, Inc. hosts the Milice Encampment, bringing colonial-era French and Spanish frontier life to vivid reality. This free, family-friendly living history event (9:30 AM-4 PM) operated by the Centre for French Colonial Life invites visitors of all ages to explore authentic demonstrations including gun building, chair seat weaving, spinning, and leatherwork, while children participate in hands-on period crafts and activities. Experience direct, engaging immersion in the skills and traditions that shaped early Sainte Geneviève—no ropes, no glass cases, no museum distance. Just artisans working in period dress, demonstrating 18th-century craftsmanship, answering questions, and welcoming curiosity about daily life when French colonists and Spanish administrators defended Missouri’s oldest settlement. Practical Information Event Name: Milice Encampment Schedule: Twice yearly, typically second Saturday in April and October Time: 9:30 AM – 4 PM Location: LeMeilleur House grounds, Centre for French Colonial Life, Sainte Geneviève, Missouri Host: Ste. Geneviève Militia, Inc. Operator: Centre for French Colonial Life Admission: Free Age Appropriateness: All ages welcome; hands-on children’s activities available Demonstrations: Gun building, Read more…

Muny Band Concerts – A Romantic Small-Town Tradition There’s something undeniably romantic about a municipal band concert on a warm summer evening—and we don’t just mean romantic in the dating sense, though that applies too. We mean romantic in the larger, more encompassing way: the kind of experience that makes you feel connected to something timeless, that slows down the frantic pace of modern life, and that reminds you why small-town America still holds such appeal for those lucky enough to experience it. Long-time Ste. Genevieve resident Bill Naeger captured this beautifully in the Missouri Humanities Small-Town Showcase podcast when he reflected on what the Muny Band concerts mean to the community. He spoke of the romance they add to the town—the simple, profound pleasure of being able to pull your car up to the schoolyard where the band performs and just sit and listen. It’s a treat, he explained, that you don’t find many other places anymore. And he’s absolutely right. A Tradition More Than 70 Years Strong The Ste. Genevieve Municipal Band has been performing for over 70 years, making it one of the few municipal bands still actively performing in America. What was once a common feature Read more…