Hidden Gem: A St. Louis Lemp Style Halloween

Nothing screams "St. Louis Halloween Spooktacular"...

... like a haunted walking history tour of the Lemp complex and Cherokee Neighborhood at night?!  Last night, Steve and I gathered with some of my Coldwell Banker Gundaker coworkers for a little Halloween fun. Ack!

If you are from St. Louis, you likely know all about the legend of the Lemp family, the unfortunate Prohibition demise of one of the largest brewers in the country, and the string of "unfortunate incidents" that resulted in the old family mansion becoming one of the most notorious in the United States for alleged hauntings!

On this tour you get to hear all about the tragic history of the Lemp Family, learn the locations of the lost Lemp Neighborhood Cemeteries, and enjoy the gorgeous Cherokee Neighborhood architecture at night as they share other spooky tales of more haunted and historical locations along the tour route.

The St. Louis Paranormal Society is actually BASED in the old Lemp Brewery complex at the base of Antique Row and offer tours several nights per week.  Check out their website for more information at https://www.seeaghost.com/ or find them on Facebook HERE.

If you want to tour the Lemp mansion ITSELF, they actually offer guided tours every Monday, year round.  They also have a fabulous restaurant, offer fun mystery dinners, and have overnight accommodations for the brave at heart. Learn more at http://www.lempmansion.com/index.html

There is also an October haunted house in the complex and trust me, IT IS FRIGHTENING! 

It involves taking an old warehouse elevator down to the caverns and um, yeah. Been there, done that (thanks to the coaxing of my teenage boys) and not sure I will do it again?!  Ha ha.  Brave?  Learn more HERE.

TIP: 
Whatever you choose, make sure that you round out the evening at Ted Drewes for a "Great Pumpkin" concrete...

The best! 👻

See some of my other local "Hidden Gems" HERE.

St. Louis Weekend Happenings: October 2- October 4, 2015

Best of Missouri Market

Venture out to the Missouri Botanical Garden for their popular Best of Missouri Market, an event that attracts more than 25,000 people annually. Over 100 vendors offer local flowers, food, baked goods, jewelry, and handmade goods over the course of three days. Enjoy live music, crafts, and kids' activities as you welcome the arrival of Fall.

October 3rd and 4th from 9am-5pm at the Missouri Botanical Gardens, with a special preview "First Look" on Friday night.

$12 adults (ages 13 and over)
$5 children (ages 3–12)
$5 Garden Members
Free Garden members' children (ages 3–12)

For more info:
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/things-to-do/events/signature-events/best-of-missouri-market.aspx 

Print the official 2015 program guide HERE.


Lemp Haunted Walking Neighborhood Tour

Everyone has heard of the infamous haunting of the Lemp mansion, but few know that the Lemp Mansion is one haunted house in a cluster of hauntings! Join members of the St. Louis Paranormal Research Society and walk through "America's Most Haunted Neighborhood" EVERY Friday night in October!  Hear the tragic history of the Lemp Family, learn the locations of two lost Lemp Neighborhood Cemeteries, and see the foundation stones of the first Lemp Mansion as you tour the area and they share other spooky tales ofmore haunted and historical locations along our tour route.

Every Friday, starting at 9pm. They meet inside the Lemp Mansion Museum. The tour lasts approximately 2 hours and is 3/4 miles in length. 

$20 per person. Refunds will be offered if we cancelled or rescheduled a tour, and tours will run rain or shine. 

For More info:
http://www.seeaghost.com/lemp-neighborhood-walk-tour.html


10th Annual GroveFest

No one knows how to throw a street party like The Grove in St. Louis!  GroveFest is an outrageously eclectic street festival in the Grove, a vibrant commercial district  in St. Louis.  Last year the festival drew over 12,000 attendees, was likened to funky New Orleans street festivals, and was praised for the diversity in programming and turnout. This year’s GroveFest is the 10th annual, so they are going above and beyond with live music, kids' stations, amazing food, and more!

Saturday from 2-10pm in The Grove along Manchester between Kingshighway and Vandeventer 

For more info:
http://www.thegrovestl.com/events/grove-fest/

Taste of Trucktober

Come celebrate food on wheels in West County, where the food is the STAR! This family-friendly festival hosts an array of gourmet food trucks including Mission Taco, Pie Oh My, Pi, The Meltdown, Steak Louie, Sarah's Cakestop, Pyro Pizza, and MORE!  Complete with live music, games, and karaoke... it is foodie fun for the whole family.

Saturday, October 3rd from 12-5

FREE Admission

Chesterfield Amphitheater
631 Veterans Place Drive
Chesterfield, MO 63017

For more info:
http://www.trucktoberstl.com/


Shaw Neighborhood Art Fair

The Shaw Neighborhood Improvement Association (SNIA) has hosted the very popular Shaw Art Fair each Fall since 1993. Located on the tree-lined parkway of beautiful Flora Place at Tower Grove Avenue, the Historic Shaw Art Fair is one of the premier fine art and fine craft fairs in the St. Louis area. It is highly rated by art fair magazines and participating artists. Roughly 135 top caliber artists and craftspeople from around the country are selected each year to participate in the professionally juried event.  You will also enjoy live music and local cuisine.

Saturday, October 3th from 9am to 5pm
Sunday, October 4th from 10am to 5pm

Blocks of 4100-4200 Flora Place, St. Louis MO 63110

$7 per adult, which is good for admission to both days. Children 14 and under are free with an adult. Bring a non-perishable food item to receive $1 off admission—benefiting Isaiah 58 Ministries.

For more info:
http://shawstlouis.org/attractions-amenities/historic-shaw-art-fair/

St. Louis Weekend Happening: October 24-26

Kimmswick Apple Butter Festival 

October 25-26, 2014
10am-5pm

This festival is one NOT to miss!  In fact, Steve and I have taken the boys to this annual fall festival since they were babies.   Drawing almost 100,000 people per year and less than 30 minutes from St. Louis, escape to Kimmswick for casual day of Fall fun, including crafts, holiday shopping, pumpkin carving, live entertainment, food, drink, and more.

In addition, watch the Kimmswick Historical Society make fresh apple butter in front of your eyes and purchase a fresh jar.

Festival is FREE, though parking is $5.00


WEB: http://www.missourimarketplace.net/applebutterfestival.html 
FACEBOOK:  https://www.facebook.com/applebutterfestival 

Halloween in the Central West End 

October 25, 2014
11am-12am

Set in the vibrant cosmopolitan Central West End with a backdrop of tree-lined streets and stately turn of the century mansions, the annual CWE Halloween is the can’t miss celebration of the season. Festivities kick-off with family fun daytime activities and as the sun sets, the party continues with an adults only bash…the Adult Costume Contest and Party-legendary for its elaborate, complex and outrageous costumes.

CWE Halloween is open to the public and free to attend. Adults interested in participating in the Adult Costume Contest are required to pay a nominal entry fee

WEB:  http://www.thecwe.org/events/halloween-in-the-cwe-2/

Oktoberfest in Hermann 

October 25-26, 2014
Times and activities vary

Less than an hour from St. Louis, Hermann celebrates its German heritage with four weekends of German music, dancing and food, all set against a backdrop of glorious fall color. This is your last weekend to enjoy the fun!

HERE is the full weekend calender!

Lemp Mansion Halloween Bash

October 25, 2014
8pm-12:30am

The Lemp Mansion, one of the most haunted mansions in the country, is home to St. Louis’s favorite Halloween party. This is the place for people who like their Halloween as spooky and macabre as possible. Dress up in your most creative costume and mix with Lemp’s authentic ghosts and poltergeists for a rowdy bash filled with food, music and tasty adult beverages. The $55 admission price includes multiple buffets spread throughout the rooms of the house, live music by several top local bands, an open bar and costume contests with cash prizes.

$60/Advance; $65/ at Door
Reservations Required, 314-664-8024

3322 Demenil Place
St. Louis, MO 63118
(314) 664-8024

WEB:  http://www.lempmansion.com/bash.htm

Weekend Happening: October 29-31

SO many fun events this weekend, for adults AND families! A quick overview of a few of my annual Halloween weekend favorites, in addition to the aforementioned Psycho with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra...

Halloween in the Central West End
The CWE is the epicenter of Halloween fun in St. Louis. Period. The freaks come out at night when the gorgeous tree-lined streets are shut down for one of the largest street parties of the year. Note: the evening event is ADULTS ONLY, as you are guaranteed interesting people watching. Huge costume contest, drinks, and food. Great time with friends!

October 30

Near Maryland and Euclid intersection

Children’s Parade and Costume contest- 11 A.M.
Adult ONLY Costume Contest and Party- 8 P.M.
Dog Parade and Costume Contest- 1 P.M.

For more info:
http://thecwe.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010pc23.jpg


2010 Kimmswick Apple Butter Festival
One of our annual family treks, the Apple Butter Festival is one NOT to miss! Drawing almost 100,000 people per year and less than 30 minutes from St. Louis, escape to Kimmswick for Fall Fun, including crafts, pumpkin carving, live entertainment, food, drink, and more. In addition, watch the Kimmswick Historical Society make fresh apple butter in front of your eyes and purchase a fresh jar. Trust me, the BEST!

October 30th and 31st, 2010
10am-5pm

Festival is FREE, though parking is $5.00

For more info or directions:
http://www.missourimarketplace.net/applebutterfestival.html


24th Annual Lemp Mansion Halloween Bash
Celebrate Halloween at one of the most haunted houses in America! With a well-documented history of tragedy and despair, this once family home and thriving brewery has turned into one of the most spooktacular sites not only in town, but the country. Live bands, open bar, food, costume contest and more.

October 30 : 8 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.

3322 Demenil Place
St. Louis, MO 63118
314-664-8024

$60 at the door

For more info:
314-664-8024
http://lempmansion.com/hauntedhouses.html


4th Annual Lights, Camera, Murder
Super fun evening of murder-mystery dinner theatre at the Chase benefiting the Foundation for Children with Cancer held. Wacky Halloween fun, all for a GREAT cause.

October 29 : 6:30 p.m.

The Tenderloin Room
232 N. Kingshighway Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63108

For more info:
314-361-0900
http://www.childrenwithcancer.org/?page_id=607


Monster Mash Art Bash at Koken
The annual Halloween Art Show at the Koken Art Factory has gained a lot of popularity in recent years. This year's theme is "Monster Mash", and will feature live music, food, drink, and amazing Halloweenesque art in several different mediums.

October 29 : 7 p.m. - 1 a.m.

Koken Art Factory
2500 Ohio Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63104

$5.00 admission

For more info:
http://www.kokenartfactory.com/


Boo at the Zoo
This annual event at our fabulous St. Louis Zoo is IDEAL for those families with younger children. Complete with crafts, entertainment, and VERY child-friendly Halloween fun... wonderful time. Dress the kids in their costumes for a fun evening of strolling the Zoo after dark.

October 28 - 30, 2010 - 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

$4/member
$5/non-member
Children under 2 are free
$1 discount for children 2 to 12 in costume

Parking is free- South Lot only

For more info:
http://www.stlzoo.org/events/calendarofevents/booatthezoonights

Hidden Gem Alert: Junque

Have you ever heard of the downtown shop "Junque"? Well, I hadn't either until a kind local reader mentioned it in a comment on my post about Fellenz Antiques. After a lot of googling and very little found expect for a random Internet blog post... my interest peaked.

Last weekend after a trip to Soulard Market, the Nenonens finally went for a hunt for Junque and found it... Located downtown just south of Soulard at #3519 South Broadway in the Lemp Complex, and only open on Saturdays between 10 and 5, Junque is beyond words. Period.

If you have an appreciation for old things, are looking to replace a missing architectural goodie in your historic home, love a good treasure hunt, adore the art of the dig, searching for a unique conversation piece for your home (example the uber hot factory cart tables go for $700 at Restoration Hardware and can be found at Junque for $300) , or are just plain curious... Junque is the PERFECT destination for you.

One man's trash is another man's treasure, that is for SURE. Junque is a treasure trove of random oddities. You never know what you will find around the next corner! A few pics from our visit (please excuse the horrible Blackberry quality)...