Nov. 17, 2020
Contact: Nancy Lee Gomer, Marketing Coordinator, 636-949-7535, or 636-795-1137, ngomer@sccmo.org
St. Charles County, Missouri – ‘Tis the season to visit a St. Charles County Park for an extra dose of holiday cheer and family-friendly fun! With safety guidelines in place, including wearing masks inside all County buildings, and social distancing required, the St. Charles County Parks and Recreation Department has a wonderful lineup of safe, festive events planned in November, December and January.
LETTERS TO SANTA
Monday, Nov. 23–Monday, Dec. 7
Youth Activity Park, 7801 Town Square Ave., Dardenne Prairie
Children ages 8 and under are invited to write a letter to Santa – just bring the letter to the park along with a self-addressed, stamped envelope to receive a letter back before Christmas! Park hours are from 12–8 p.m., Sunday–Thursday; 12–10 p.m., Friday; 10 a.m.–10 p.m., Saturday. Temperature screenings will be taken at the door and masks are required inside and social distancing throughout the park. While visiting the park, enjoy free play inside the complex and climb to the top of the 30-foot rock wall. Outside, if the pavement is dry, bring a skateboard, scooter or bike and ride the park's Velosolutions asphalt pump track—the nation's largest, as well as the largest outdoor bike and skate course in Missouri! Helmets and a parent-signed waiver are required to utilize the park’s extreme sports amenities. For more information, call the Youth Activity Park at 636-561-4964.
HOLIDAY TOY TRAIN DISPLAY
Saturday, Nov. 28–Sunday, Jan. 10
St. Charles County Heritage Museum, 1630 Heritage Landing, St. Peters
Bring the family out to marvel over this popular annual holiday display during the months of November, December and January. Admission is free! This year’s display features multiple trains with scenes that highlight landmark park buildings, including the historic Boone Village, Hays Home, Heritage Museum, and the 1860s homestead at Towne Park. It also features a North Pole scene with Mrs. Claus’ bake shop, Santa’s Cabin, and the Elf Toy Factory. Additionally, the museum will serve as a donation site for the Toys for Tots, a program created by the United States Marine Corps Reserve. To spread some holiday cheer to children in need, please bring new, unwrapped toys to the museum through Dec. 9.
The museum is open 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Wednesday–Saturday; and 12– 5 p.m., Sunday; and closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Guests must pass a temperature screening before entering and masks and social distancing are required. Call the museum at 636-255-6000 for more information.
CHRISTMAS TREE WORKSHOP
3:30–5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5
St. Charles County Heritage Museum, 1630 Heritage Landing, St. Peters
Spruce up your knowledge about evergreens the first weekend of December with Park Ranger Jake Dean and horticulture staff at this free outdoor workshop. Guests will learn about different evergreen species native to Missouri, the history of the Christmas Tree and how to identify different conifers while enjoying hot beverages around a socially-distanced campfire outside the museum. A drawing for one free Christmas Tree courtesy of Sullivan Farms will be held after the presentation. Registration for the workshop is not required, but guests must be present to win the tree. For questions, please call the museum at 636-255-6000.
HISTORIC HAYS HOME HOLIDAY TOURS
6–10:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Dec. 4–5 and Dec. 11–12
The Daniel Boone Hays Home at Matson Hill Park, 3572 Stub Road, Defiance
Enjoy a festive candle-lit adventure in the park at this new attraction when The Daniel Boone Hays Home at Matson Hill Park in Defiance opens to visitors for the first time Dec. 4. The newly renovated home will be open for self-guided tours and a limited number of guests will be allowed inside at one time. Temperature screenings will be taken at the door and masks and social distancing are required. Upon arrival, park interpretive staff will greet guests outside and give an overview of the property surrounding the historic home. During these candlelight experiences, guests will learn about the history of the Hays family and the scenic Femme Osage Valley and how it relates to the rich history of the region. Daytime tours of the historic home also are available from 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5, as part of Historic St. Louis’ A Spirited Holiday Past showcasing historic homes located throughout the metropolitan area for one day.
Admission to the historic home is free and will be open for self-guided tours from 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Friday, Saturday and Monday; and 12–4:30 p.m., Sunday through Dec. 14, after the holiday tours end. Winter hours begin Dec. 15–March 1, 2021, and tours will only be available on the weekends; walk-ins are always welcome! Group tours of 15 or more and school field trips are available with a reservation. For questions and more information about this new park attraction, call The Historic Daniel Boone Home at 636-798-2005.
Please note: Due to safety and social distancing guidelines, the annual Christmas Candlelight Walks at The Historic Daniel Boone Home and Crafting from Nature program at the Heritage Museum are at capacity and registration is no longer available.
For more information and to register for St. Charles County Parks’ very merry events, visit us at stccparks.org and click on “Activity Registration,” or call the St. Charles County Parks and Recreation Department at 636-949-7535.