See, try and learn ways to spend more time outside in the St. Louis region
Join us for the 4th Annual Life Outside Free Festival of the Outdoors. Postponed in June due to flooding, the event will be held Saturday, September 21, 2019 from 10am to 4pm on the St. Vincent Greenway in St. Vincent County Park in north St. Louis County.
Unique from other regional festivals, Life Outside introduces event-goers to the region’s greenways and engages them with outdoor experiences. Partner organizations from across the region will be at the event, offering attendees the opportunity to see, try and learn about a variety of outdoor activities in a free, fun and supportive environment.
“Life Outside is a chance for people of all ages, abilities and interests to get to know our region’s greenways and the many ways they can enjoy the outdoors. People can explore the St. Vincent Greenway and try activities such as mountain biking, birdwatching and hiking to decide first hand if this is something they want to make part of their lives,” said Elizabeth Simons, community program manager for Great Rivers Greenway. “We encourage people to make a whole day of it! Bring friends and family to try some new outdoor activities; pack a picnic, listen to some live music, relax outside, and check out everything the St. Vincent Greenway and St. Vincent County Park has to offer.”
Launched in 2016, the Life Outside provides attendees with a variety of free activities, including classes, product demos, hands-on experiences and competitions.
”I loved being able to try out new things that I’ve always wanted to try, but never knew how to get started or who to talk to,” said a 2018 festival attendee. “I also liked learning about organizations and activities that I didn’t even know existed.”
A selection of food trucks will be at the festival with food and beverages available for purchase. Attendees are also encouraged to bring their own picnic to enjoy 18 different musical acts performing at three stages throughout the festival grounds.
There will be no parking in St. Vincent County Park the day of the festival except for people who have current disabled license plates or a placard. Attendees are invited to park at Incarnate Word Academy (2788 Normandy Drive, Saint Louis, MO 63121 ) or choose from a wide variety of options to get to Life Outside:
“Park & Ride” free Life Outside Shuttles
Park and ride free round-trip shuttles all day beginning at 9:15am from the North Hanley Station/Transit Center (4300 Hanley Road, St. Louis, MO 63134), St. Louis Community College –Meramec- LOT K (11333 Big Bend Rd, Kirkwood, MO 63122) and the Ballas Transit Center (790 S. New Ballas, Town & Country, St. Louis, MO 63141) near the intersection of Ballas Rd. and I-64.
Metro Transit to free Life Outside Shuttle locations
Attendees can also use Metro Transit to access all three “Life Outside Park and Ride” locations to catch the Life Outside shuttles.
Combine Metro Transit and a walk or ride on the St. Vincent Greenway
For those looking for a “total greenway experience,” combine Metro Transit and a walk or ride on the Vincent Greenway to get to the Life Outside Festival!
UMSL South MetroLink
Exit the UMSL South Station and walk, ride a bike or use a wheelchair to travel .9 miles south to the festival grounds via the St. Vincent Greenway.
North Hanley Transit Center/MetroLink
Park at the North Hanley Transit Center or take Metro Transit. Connect to the St. Vincent Greenway across University Place Drive at Marlin Drive. Walk, ride or roll south along the Vincent Greenway for approximately 2.25 miles to the festival grounds in St. Vincent County Park.
“Because there is no parking at the festival site, we are offering several hassle-free options for getting to Life Outside,” says Simons. “While the free Park and Ride Shuttles and Metro Transit are the most direct way get there, we encourage people to use the St. Vincent Greenway for part of their trip. They can see first-hand how the greenways are not just spaces for outdoor recreation—they can also connect you to the places you want to go!”
Festival attendees can skip the day-of registration line by pre-registering online at LiveLifeOutside.org and picking up their festival packet including Life Outside wristband at the Great Rivers Greenway Visitor Center (6178 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63112) Monday September 16 through Friday September 20.
More information about the Life Outside Festival can be found at www.LiveLifeOutside.org.