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 What a weekend coming up in The Lou! There are a ton of free things to do this weekend in St. Louis but we’re going to try to narrow it down for you.
Mardi Gras’ Grand Parade in St. Louis’ Soulard neighborhood is always a crowd-pleaser, and the St. Louis Zoo is putting their penguins on parade. What could be better for a February weekend?
Here’s a sampling of the freebies this weekend:
FREE: Soulard Mardi Gras Grand Parade Happens This Weekend
FREE: Chill With The Penguins At The St. Louis Zoo
FREE Saint Louis Art Museum Family Sunday Series Focuses On African Art In February
FREE: Missouri History Museum Hosts Family Fun Event
FREE: Bald Eagle Days At Pere Marquette State Park
BONUS: You can save even more on fun things to do in The Lou with the FREE St. Louis Family Attractions Card. The new 2013 version is available NOW!
Also be sure to subscribe to get St. Louis On The Cheap’s FREE email updates in your mailbox daily. Also “like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @stlcheap to catch the latest deals and events.
The 2013 St. Louis Family Attractions Card is now available!
The card is free, and it can can save you monty on entrance fees, meals and lodging in St. Louis. Some of the deals don’t expire until Jan. 31, 2014.
You can print out coupons from the St. Louis Family Attractions Card website (you will have to give your email address) or go to any Dierbergs, Shop ‘n Save or Schnucks and pick up the brochure at the customer service counter.
Here’s a sample of the savings you can get by using the card:
- St. Louis Science Center: Buy one adult OMNIMAX® ticket and receive one child’s OMNIMAX® ticket free. Fine print: Not valid for groups. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Limit four. Expires Jan. 31, 2014.
- Missouri History Museum: $2 off per person on special exhibition admissions. Fine print: Limit two per coupon. Cannot be combined with any other offers, coupons or discounts. Expires Dec. 31, 2013.
 There’s still time to see eagles in their natural habitat here in the St. Louis area before spring sends them north.
Bald Eagle Days at Pere Marquette State Park in Grafton, Ill. celebrates our national bird in February, the time the eagles travel south to areas where winter temperatures don’t freeze the rivers. The reason: the fish they can get from the free-flowing waters. The remaining dates for the eagle program this month are February 9, 10, 13, 16, 19, 25 and 27.
Naturalist Scott Isringhausen presents a great eagle program and leads free eagle tours where you can see the birds in their natural habitat.
The event is FREE but reservations are required.
Pere Marquette State Park is along the Great River Road north of Alton, Illinois not far from St. Louis.
 Tickets are still available for the St. Louis County Parks and Recreation and The Friends of Jefferson Barracks 14th annual Adult Easter Egg Hunt.
This fun Easter event just for people 18 and over lets you search 250 acres of Jefferson Barracks Park at night for thousands of numbered eggs redeemable for lots of prizes. Baskets and flashlights are recommended. This event is held regardless of weather conditions.
You have two dates to choose form. The hunt will be held at 9 to 11 p.m., March 22 and 23 at the park located in south County.
Paid advanced registration is required. Tickets are $8 per person. The event is for ages 18 and older.
To register by mail, send the name, address, phone number, date of birth and e-mail for each person registering. Also note the date you wish to attend and include a self-addressed business sized stamped envelope. Send the information with a check to The Friends of Jefferson Barracks, Adult Egg Hunt, 6050 Wells Road, St. Louis, MO 63128.
You can also register in person at Kennedy Recreation Complex between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
 Now through Sunday, there’s plenty for everyone to see and do at the 2013 Progressive Insurance St. Louis Boat & Sports Show at the Edward Jones Dome at America’s Center in downtown St. Louis.
Here are a few of the highlights:
- Learn some new tricks at fishing seminars featuring Brent Chapman, 2012 Elite Series Bassmaster Angler of the Year
- Meet R.J. and Jay Paul Molinere from the History Channel’s Swamp People
- Check out the DockDogs competitions
- Try scuba
- Get some cooking pointers at the Paddling Gourmet cooking seminars
- Take a look at the past at the antique and classic boat display
- Enhance your skills at the boating & outdoor classroom series
- Learn about Paddler’s Party Cove
- See the new Miss GEICO racing boat
- Take a look at the Lighthouse and Marina Experience
- Watch or participate in the Turkey Calling and Owl Hooting Workshop/Contest
- Kids can meet Dora the Explorer from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, February 9 and Sunday February 10
- Get a whole new perspective on fishing—from the viewpoint of the fish at theTexas Bass Tank, a12-foot tall, 40-foot long mobile glass aquarium .is stocked with native fish
- Kids can experience FREE fishing at Becky Thatcher Trout Pond
- Young outdoor enthusiasts can participate inhands-on activities, concessions and seating at Kids’ Cove.
Show hours:
Wednesday, February 6 5 p.m.–9 p.m.
Thursday, February 7 2 p.m.–9 p.m.
Friday, February 8 noon–9 p. m.
Saturday, February 9 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
Sunday, February 10 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Admission Prices
Adults, $10
Ages 15 and younger, FREE
2-day pass $14 (good any two days of the show)
Save $2 on Adult Admission on Thursday–River Bill’s Day. Enjoy the good-time tunes of Captain Tim Woodson of the Gypsy Rose Pirate Ship , performing live Thursday evening at the Yacht Club Lounge. Download this coupon to save $2 on adult admission at the box office.
Admission price includes a one-year subscription to Boating, Outdoor Life, Islands, Field & Stream or TW Snowboarding magazines.
Purchase tickets online to save time. You must have a printer ready to print your tickets.
An e-mail confirmation will be sent after your order is complete. Your e-mail confirmation provides support options and additional information about the show. Charges to your credit card will appear as “NMMA Boat Shows.”
*Each ticket is valid for one day ONLY. No exchanges or refunds.
There’s still time to see eagles before spring sends them north.
Bald Eagle Days at Pere Marquette State Park, Grafton, Ill. is still celebrating our national bird in February. Dates are February 3, 6, 9, 10, 13, 16, 19, 25, 27.
Naturalist Scott Isringhausen presents a great eagle program and leads free eagle tours where you can see the birds in their natural habitat.
The event is free but reservations are required.
Pere Marquette State Park is along the Great River Road north of Alton, Illinois not far from St. Louis
 For a real winter treat, head to the Audubon Center at Riverlands, in West Alton, MO this weekend to see a real live eagle. The birds love the cold weather but you’ll be toasty warm inside the center.
The events, which runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., are free and open to the public.
Two-story circular bay windows provide a sweeping 140-degree grand vista of the Mississippi River, where you may see eagles as well as trumpeter swans and other waterfowl.
On Saturday, TreeHouse Wildlife Center will be at the Center with a rehabilitated raptor. It could be an owl, hawk or falcon – stop by the Center to see who shows up!
On Sunday, it’s and eagle watch, and World Bird Sanctuary have a meet-and-greet with live eagle from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. You’ll learn how to spot eagles, where to look and what brings the eagles here each winter. High powered spotting scopes will be available and staff and volunteers will assist visitors and answer questions. Afterwards, take an eagle viewing walk in the sanctuary.
Can’t make it this weekend?
There are similar events slated for Jan. 26 and 27 and Feb. 2, 3 and 9.
 That’s right–you haven’t even shaken all the pine needles out of your rug and it’s Mardi Gras time!
Jan. 6, twelve nights after Christmas, is the traditional beginning of Mardi Gras, and Soulard Mardi Gras has an event to get you in the spirit.
The event–a proclamation and the fun petitioning for a Mardi Gras celebration, will be at Johnny’s, the birthplace of Soulard Mardi Gras in St. Louis. The Board of Directors accept petitions from krewes, civic, business and neighborhood leaders, requesting them to declare the start of the new Mardi Gras season.
Petitioning can be a reading, a poem, a skit, a song, a puppet show, love letters, or any conveyance you wish to get your message to the board. The basic message is “WE WANT TO HAVE MARDI GRAS THIS YEAR!!!”
After petitioning and a couple beverages, gather on the front steps of Johnny’s at 5:30 pm to hear the reading of the proclamation. A musical procession will then wind through the neighborhood, ending in Rudy Commons at 8th and Lafayette in front of Soulard Market, where the Soulard Mardi Gras flag will be hoisted and fireworks will signal the official start of the Mardi Gras season in Soulard.
Contact Marc Mendolia in the Mardi Gras office to schedule your time to petition the Board.
The mild weather is about to change so be sure to dress in layers.
The eagles have returned!
January used to be a dreary month but in recent years the eagles have landed in the St. Louis area to turn the month into something special.
Through approximately the end of February, our national bird will be visiting as frozen rivers further north cause them to come south to our area to find food.
The Riverlands Eagle Festival at the Audubon Center at Riverlands on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013 kicks off several weeks of FREE eagle watching activities.
The center is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. so you can plan to come early and stay late. It’s located at 301 Riverlands Way in West Alton, MO.
Here’s what’s happening at the festival on Saturday:
Dress for the conditions. If it’s cold and wet, so much the better–eagles love that kind of weather.
For more information about eagle watch weekend go to www.visitalton.com
Eagle Days Festival at Riverlands is funded in part by the Great Rivers Greenway District.
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