AUGUST

BY ALEXANDER OLSON

Pedal the Cause: A World Without Cancer Day

Aug. 4 – participating bars and restaurants, pedalthecause.org/awwcd

Support cancer research at Siteman Cancer Center and Siteman Kids by grabbing food and drink from participating bars and restaurants during A World Without Cancer Day. Seoul Taco, Nudo House, Chicken Out and Ices Plain & Fancy are just some of the local businesses that will be donating a portion of their proceeds to Pedal the Cause. Find a full list of participating venues online.

SerbFest

Aug. 5 – 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Aug. 6 – 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., 1910 Serbian Drive, St. Louis, 314.776.3262, serbianchurchstlouis.org

Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church has been hosting this celebration of Serbian culture since 1987. Sample a wide variety of traditional Serbian dishes like cevaps (sausages made with beef, pork and 22 spices) and sarma (ground chuck and pork sauteed with onions and spices, wrapped in a cabbage leaf) before listening to traditional music and exploring historical and cultural showcases about the Serbian community. Free admission.

Blues at the Arch Festival and Brunch

Aug. 11 - 5 to 8 p.m., Aug. 12 - noon to 10 p.m., and Aug. 13 - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Gateway Arch North Entrance, 200 Washington Ave., St. Louis, 314.881.2015, archpark.org

Nearly a dozen musicians will gather just a stone’s throw away from the Arch to celebrate the blues and its history. Drinks from Narwhal’s Crafted, 4 Hands Brewing Co. and others, plus food from Kimchi Guys, Treaux’s Cajun BBQ and more complement music from performers like Miz Renee Smith and Larry McCray. Fireworks Saturday night and an elevated buffet with chicken and waffles, charcuterie and unlimited mimosas at the Sunday blues brunch close out the weekend. Tickets available online.

Taste of St. Louis

Aug. 11 - 4 to 10 p.m., Aug. 12 – 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Aug. 13 - 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Ballpark Village, 601 Clark Ave., St. Louis, thetastestl.com

One of the biggest free, food-centric events of the summer is back at Ballpark Village. Local restaurants from around the area will be bringing their best to this three-day celebration of the food community. Live bands, local vendors and all the food you can eat. What’s more to want? Free admission.

Food Truck Friday

Aug. 18 – 4 to 8 p.m., Tower Grove Park, 4501 Southwest Drive, St. Louis, 314.772.8004, saucefoodtruckfriday.com

Like tough choices? Tower Grove Park offers bites and sips from local food trucks on select Fridays this summer through early fall. More than 20 of our favorite trucks will be there and, luckily, you can’t go wrong with any of them. Free admission.

Cherokee Street Brewed Arts Festival

August 19 – 1 to 5 p.m., Cherokee Street, St. Louis, cherokeestreet.com/brewedarts

It’s the perfect combo of beer and local fine art. You’ll find more than 25 locally brewed beers, curated by Saint Louis Hop Shop, spread across one mile of Cherokee Street. Get lost in the local art both indoors and outdoors as live music plays through the day. You even get a complimentary tasting glass. Tickets available online.

SLAM Block Party

Aug. 19 – noon to 5 p.m., 1 Fine Arts Drive, St. Louis, 314.721.0072, slam.org

To kick off the opening of The Culture: Hip Hop and

Contemporary Art in the 21st Century exhibition celebrating 50 years of hip-hop, the Saint Louis Art Museum is hosting one of the biggest block parties in town. Check out one of the many live performers while snagging a bite from local food trucks. You can also get free tickets to The Culture for that day when you attend. Free admission.

Alton Food Truck Festival

Aug. 26 – 4 to 8 p.m., 1 Riverfront Drive, Alton, 618.463.3580, altonriverfrontamphitheater.com

Missed Sauce Food Truck Friday in Tower Grove Park or just want some more food truck action? Hop across the river to the Alton Amphitheater where 19 fabulous food trucks converge. Try dishes from Mr. Noodle, Pig on a Wing, Cajun Seduction, The Sweet Divine and more. Free admission.

Festival of Nations

Aug. 26 & 27 – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tower Grove Park, 4257 Northeast Drive, St. Louis, festivalofnationsstl.org

St. Louis is home to people with roots spanning the globe. Festival of Nations celebrates the city’s cultural diversity by featuring music, art and flavors from around the world. Come stay a while and absorb the live performances, exhibitions and, of course, the food. Free admission.

Evolution Festival

Aug. 26 & 27 – 2 p.m., Forest Park, St. Louis, evolutionfestival.com denotes a sauce-sponsored event

This celebration of music, bourbon and barbecue has a stacked lineup on all fronts. Sugarfire Smoke House, Heavy Smoke, Beast Craft BBQ Co. and more provide the barbecue. Look for bourbon from both national and local brands, including Switchgrass Spirits and Still 630. Live music by The Black Keys, The Black Crowes, Brandi Carlile, Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals and many more rounds out the event. Tickets available online.