There are dozens of Independence Day celebrations in the St. Louis area, and one of the most popular in St. Louis County is Community Days in Webster Groves. The family-friendly festival is known for its parade, BBQ, carnival, and fireworks displays.

When and Where

Community Days is a four-day event held over the Independence Day holiday. In 2019, Community Days is July 3 from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., July 4 from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., July 5 from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., and July 6 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The fairgrounds are located at the Webster Groves School District parking lot (east of Moss Field) and the northern end of Webster Groves Recreation Complex parking lot. This location is just south of Interstate 44 at the Elm Avenue exit.

Carnival and BBQ

Community Days begins with a carnival and barbecue hosted by the Webster Groves Lions Club. Visitors can savor traditional barbecue favorites such as burgers, pork, and ribs, along with chicken, hot dogs, brats, baked potatoes, and corn. Moreover, for those who aren’t too full, there are carnival rides nearby to enjoy.

The carnival and food booths are open throughout the entire four-day festival. Each night features live music from a variety of local bands and musicians, along with the Miss Webster Groves Pageant scheduled for July 3 at 8:30 p.m.

The Parade

On July 4, Community Days kicks off with a vibrant parade at 10 a.m. This traditional patriotic celebration showcases a plethora of floats, marching bands, clowns, cars, and more as they parade through the heart of Webster Groves. The parade commences near the intersection of Lockwood and Selma Avenue, travels west along Lockwood to Elm, then south on Elm to Glendale, concluding near the park. Crowds gather along the streets, so it is advisable to secure a spot early for the best view.

Fireworks Displays

No Independence Day celebration is complete without fireworks, and the Webster Groves displays do not disappoint. Two spectacular evenings of fireworks are scheduled during Community Days. On July 4, enjoy a dazzling fireworks show starting at approximately 9:30 p.m., followed by a fireworks finale on July 6 at the same time. Each fireworks display lasts about 20 minutes, providing an unforgettable experience for all attendees.

Where to Park

Parking for Community Days is available at Hixson Middle School, located just north of Memorial Park, with a fee of $10 per vehicle. Additionally, free parking can be found at the Webster Groves Recreation Complex off East Glendale Road. When those lots fill up, there is extra parking at Nerinx Hall High School and the Webster University Parking Garage. A convenient $5 shuttle service operates from these areas to the fairgrounds.

Other Helpful Tips

To enhance your Community Days experience, consider the following tips. No coolers or outside food and drinks are permitted on-site; however, backpacks, bags, and purses are allowed but may be subject to search by law enforcement. All guests are encouraged to bring blankets for viewing the fireworks displays, but please refrain from reserving spots on the grass days in advance.