May 2, 2018
In the Valley of Flowers
Around Town Community Voices By Dr. Gloria J. Johnson. Pg. 2 Jim and Cathy Berges gift $400,000 to support Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri’s robotics program. Pg. 4
Special Section COME ON OUT TO THIS WEEKENDS FESTIVAL! Valley of Flowers Festival May 4, 5 and 6. Pg. 6
Features (FLIP)
Photo by Kent Miller Photography
The 2018 Valley of Flowers Queen Court.
Florissant’s Valley of Flowers Festival Celebrates the Muny’s 100th anniversary Since 1963, the Valley of Flowers Festival celebration has been the “first festival of spring” featuring a variety of events, including a superb parade. This three-day celebration taking place May 4, 5 and 6, has activities for everyone. It includes a flower and plant sale, culturally diverse performances, baseball games, a classic car show, vendor/craft fair, flea market, a pretty baby photo contest, children’s activities and, of course, good food. Carnival games and exciting rides are featured at the Duchesne Knights of Columbus Fairgrounds. The official parade on Sunday, May 6 is a highlight of the weekend that leads up to the crowning of the Valley of Flowers Queen and Court at the Duchesne Knights of Columbus Pavilion. This year’s parade will feature more than 100 participants beginning with mobile units departing from the James J. Eagan Center at 1:45 p.m.
Decorated vehicles and floats will proceed west on Parker Road to New Florissant Road where youth and walking units, as well as the marching bands will merge. The complete parade will then travel south on New Florissant prior to turning west on rue St. Francois past the official parade reviewing stands, then left on St. Ferdinand, proceeding then to Washington Street and concluding at the Knights of Columbus Fairgrounds. The theme for the 2018 Valley of Flowers Parade is “Muny’s 100th” and will feature many floats and units decorated to reflect themes of the Muny’s plays which have taken place over the last 100 years. Many city officials and local municipal emergency responder vehicles, the Valley of Flowers reigning Queen and Court, and all seventeen 2018 candidates as well as car clubs, walking units, horse groups, dog clubs, dance schools and scout groups, that
make up the fabric of our community, will participate to help create a colorful and fun parade. When the parade concludes at the Knights of Columbus Grounds, the candidates will proceed to the pavilion stage where Florissant Mayor Thomas Schneider will crown the 2018 Valley of Flowers Queen and Court at 4 p.m. Prior to the crowning ceremony, awards will be presented to the various winning parade units and their sponsors, and the Pretty Baby Photo Contest winners. The Valley of Flowers Committee has selected Richard Cox, owner and operator of Danmark Tire and Auto Center at 735 N. Highway 67 in Florissant, as the 2018 Valley of Flowers Parade Marshall. Cox has operated the business since 1976. In the early 1980’s he submitted a competitive bid See ‘VALLEY’ page 6
Serving North & Northwest St. Louis County | FREE Online at mycnews.com | Vol. 97 No. 18 | 636-379-1775
Recipe, Movie & Sudoku. Pg. F-1 CLASSIFIEDS AND HOME & GARDEN. Pg. F-2 /F-3 Moore On Life, Yeggs & Crossword Puzzle. Pg. F-4
Weather FRIDAY Partly Sunny 78/55 SATURDAY Sunny 78/55 SUNDAY Sunny 76/53 FirstWarn Weather
prepared by meteorologist Nick Palisch. For the latest updates visit www.facebook.com/nickswx.