314 Day Will Be Bigger Than Ever in St. Louis in 2024

They’re even lighting up the planetarium

Feb 20, 2024 at 6:00 am

It's gonna be like that. Courtesy of Gateway Arch Park Foundation

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314 Day — Thursday, March 14 — is right around the corner and St. Louis is ready.

Eager to be in the spotlight, St. Louis is kicking things off earlier with festivities beginning on Saturday, March 9 with an array of exciting events, celebrations and special deals highlighting local makers, musicians, artists, businesses, organizations and neighborhoods that are proudly #STLMade.

The many events include a 314 Day Small Business Expo at the Armory (3660 Market Street) as well deals from a variety of local shops and restaurants. (Your company is invited to add yours at thestl.com/314day). They’re even lighting up the planetarium with a 314 Day illumination. That will be visible from March 13-14.

With the hopes of bringing St. Louis together and showcasing the positive things happening in the city, Terrell “Young Dip” Evans and Tatum Polk created 314 Day back in 2006. The now region-wide holiday is increasingly a big deal, celebrated by individuals, organizations and businesses throughout St. Louis’ neighborhoods.

“314 Day continues to grow bigger and better every year — beyond anything we could have ever imagined — uniting people from all walks of life to celebrate and bring positivity to our community,” Polk said in a statement.

click to enlarge

Artwork by Marley Billie D

St. Louis native Marley Billie D won the 314 Day Design Contests and will have her design featured on t-shirts, stickers and bags in honor of 314 Day.

This year, the 314 Day Foundation, in partnership with the STLMade movement, launched its inaugural 314 Day Design Contest where artists across the region could submit samples of their work for consideration to create the 314 Day 2024 design. St. Louis native Marley Billie D won with a piece of art inspired by her love of St. Louis that will be shown across t-shirts, stickers and bags in honor of 314 Day, all of which will be available for purchase at local retail stores such as STL-Style.

The 314 Day Foundation also partnered with Jewels, Inc., a national mentoring organization, to launch the inaugural 314 Day Youth & Women’s division. The St. Louis Development Corporation and the Mayor’s Youth Cabinet, in collaboration with Harris-Stowe State University, will be hosting youth-led initiatives including a celebration for teens run by teens that highlights the St. Louis youth entrepreneurs as well as expert speakers talking to topics like financial literacy, gun violence/mental health and paying for college. #SheCan Connect, a professional women’s network, is also collaborating with the 314 Day Foundation to celebrate St. Louis women executives and entrepreneurs who have made history.

“We encourage people across the St. Louis region to join the celebration in whatever way speaks to them, whether it’s hosting or attending one of the exciting events, visiting one of our world-class attractions or institutions, supporting their favorite local business or restaurant, or simply sharing local pride on social media to let everyone know why St. Louis is a great place to start up, stand out, and stay,” said Tony Wyche, spokesman for Greater St. Louis, Inc., in a statement.

To view a complete list of events, celebrations, and special deals from local businesses, visit the STL’s website.

Email the author at [email protected]

Slideshow

The Best Places to Live in St. Louis When You're Young (and Fun)

The Neighborhood: Lafayette SquareThe vibe: Lovingly restored mansions and bougie restaurants centered around the oldest city park west of the Mississippi Ideal for: Young couples. City lovers with younger kids who want to meet other city lovers with younger kids. LGBTQ people. People who are single and like a walkable neighborhood but don’t mind most bars closing by 11 p.m. Not ideal for: Broke 20somethings (it ain’t cheap). Extra perk: Something of a peninsula surrounded by highways, Lafayette Square is great for getting just about anywhere in St. Louis in 15 minutes — even the Metro East. No wonder it draws military families in addition to the expected doctors and lawyers. Where to meet the locals: With kids, the park. Without, 33 Wine Bar

The Neighborhood: Cherokee StreetThe Vibe: Arguably St. Louis’s premier runway, so don your best vintage. Whether it’s a pop-up at Profield Reserve or an olive party at ‘Ssippi Wine Bar, Cherokee has something to do, if only a walk down the street to find the best homemade concha. Look out for one of multiple yearly parades at your doorstep. Ideal For: People who love Mexican culture and people who love art. With multiple art galleries and collectives, and recurring cultural events, Cherokee will satisfy your fix. South Side Spaces has rehabbed multiple historic buildings. They are committed to affordable housing, with options for artist studios, residential apartments and homes, and office/retail spaces. Not Ideal For: Anyone with work in north city or school in U City. The path down Jefferson to Cherokee is a long and bumpy one. Also, Cherokee is a true urban neighborhood with the occasional incident to prove it. Suburbanites, beware!Extra Perk: The redevelopment of Love Bank Park into “a park for all” is set to finish this spring. Where to Meet the Locals: In a booth at the Whiskey Ring or mid-bite at the Taco and Ice Cream Joint

The Neighborhood: The Loop The Vibe: All over the place. The Loop is arguably St. Louis’s best strip for people-watching — from musicians killing time before their show at the Pageant to a local selling geodes and stones to passersby. Ideal for: Students (the Loop houses multiple coffeeshops, an international grocery store, restaurants, mini golf and music venues all on one street) and people homesick for good Asian food (it has one of St. Louis’ most remarkable concentrations). Not Ideal For: Anyone who feels college is still too recent. Yes, Wash U students can easily walk to the Loop, and they do. If that makes you feel old, get lost. Extra Perk: Elevated midnight snacks: Up Late will soon open a second location at 6197 Delmar within walking distance from the Pageant, one of the city’s best concert venues. Where to Meet the Locals: Meshuggah Cafe. The cafe boasts a great collection of smart, interesting regulars, most with roots firmly planted in the neighborhood.

$The Neighborhood: Overland et al. (Seeing that north county is divided into approximately 1 million tiny fiefdoms all vying for the income that comes from shaking down motorists over the tiniest of traffic infractions, it can be hard to keep the good stuff to do confined to the city limits of any one borough. It’s better to think of things by approximate area, inclusive of the smaller hamlets it borders.) The Vibe: Affordable housing in the form of brick homes with large porches and price tags set at half of what’s found in the city, more charmingly dilapidated dive bars than you can shake a stick at, plentiful businesses catering to those of Mexican descent (or who appreciate the country's culinary gifts). Ideal For: Those looking to save several whole stacks of pennies will find the Overland area to be a welcoming one, with dirt cheap yet spacious homes and inexpensive opportunities for intoxication (intoxitunities, if you will) at nearly every corner. If you have an unquenchable thirst for Busch beer and an appreciation for the colorful characters who have spent the last 40 years drinking it, but less-than-bottomless pockets, this is the area for you. Not Ideal For: Bougie types who don’t like to share their bars with cigarette smoke and bad drivers who are unskilled at the art of cop-spotting would do best to steer clear. Extra Perk: With the general area situated roughly at the crossroads of I-70 and I-170, Overland residents are just 15 to 30 minutes from anywhere in the city proper that they may want to go. Where to Meet the Locals: Just Bill’s$