Best Memorial Day Festivals in St. Louis

It's all about shopping and eating on Memorial Day, 2011! Let's start with the eating. Kansas City is so proud to call themselves the barbecue capital of the Midwest. Let's throw them off their high horse, shall we? And for one day of the year, we will anoint ourselves to this lofty position. Because we have a giant rib fest to prove it.

The Rib America Festival

This figner lickin' good time kicks off May 27^th and runs through May 30^th at Soldier's Memorial, downtown. The entertainment is sure to be eclectic with performances from bands named Puddle of Mudd, Brown Bottle Fever, and Shooting with Annie, to name a few.

If you can get there before 5 P.M. On Friday or 1 P.M. On Saturday, Sunday and Monday, admission is free. Otherwise it will cost you $7 to get in.

You can choose between "rib teams," which include Bib Boned BBQ from Tennessee, The Coyote Roadhouse in Illinois, and don't forget Coyboys' BBQ out of Texas. Rib aficionados unite!

Greek Festival in Town and Country

I give up my low carb diet once a year for this festival. You've got to eat the Gyros of course, but what people forget to try is the iced Greek coffee. It's loaded with sugar and caffeine, but you'll never want another Starbucks Frappacino after you try this. It's being held at the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church on Des Peres Road in Town and Country. Doors open at 11 A.M. Friday through Monday. One tip: Get there early! This place gets packed! Once you arrive, follow the signs for parking. Busses run about every 10 minutes to take you right to the door.

If you can, go through the outdoor buffet line instead of the indoor one.. The selection isn't quite as vast, but it's less crowded, and the Gyros and Baklava are the same.

39^th Annual Gypsy Caravan

I'm heading here for some deals. I've heard this is a bargain hunter's paradise, especially if you like antiques. It benefits the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. Doors open at 7 A.M. May 30th, on the campus of University of Missouri-St. Louis. Cost is $5 beginning at 9 a.m. (Kids under 12 are free.) But here's where it doesn't pay to get there early. Before 9, the tickets jump to $20. I'm assuming you'll find the best deals are from 7-9.