ST. LOUIS (KMOX) – This year's Fair Saint Louis and America’s Birthday Parade have been canceled due to COVID-19 health concerns.

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Event officials made the announcement Friday morning. The annual events were scheduled to take place July 2, 3 & 4, 2020, in downtown St. Louis.

The decision to cancel the free events was made by the Fair St. Louis Foundation and America’s Birthday Parade boards, the City of St. Louis, and the National Park Service, in coordination with key sponsors and stakeholders.

“While we are saddened to cancel two of our region’s most popular and free Fourth of July celebrations, the safety of our community is of utmost importance to us,” said David Estes, Chairman, Fair Saint Louis. “Fair Saint Louis and America’s Birthday Parade embody the prideful spirit of our city, and over the past few weeks, we’ve seen that spirit shine so brightly within our community as we face this unthinkable challenge together.”

This year would have marked the 40th Fair Saint Louis and the 138th America’s Birthday Parade.

“We look forward to returning to downtown St. Louis and celebrating with our community in the future when the time is right,” said David Plufka, Chairman, America’s Birthday Parade. “Until then, please stay safe and be mindful of the health and safety of others. We are in this together and we will get through this together.”

Missouri is reporting 19 deaths and 1,834 positive cases of COVID-19, as of Thursday afternoon



Locally, St. Louis City reports 270 cases, St. Louis County is reporting 663 with 6 deaths.

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