Florissant’s 64th Valley of Flowers returns May 1–3 with parade, concerts and family activities

Organizers of Florissant’s Valley of Flowers festival said the community fundraiser will return Friday through Sunday, May 1–3, featuring concerts, a parade and family activities to support scholarships and youth programs.

“This will be our 64th year, and our goal is to bring the community together,” Lori Lowry, chairman of the Valley of Flowers committee, said on the City of Florissant podcast. She said proceeds from the fundraiser help pay for scholarships and mentorship programs for the festival court and girls involved in the program.

The weekend program includes a Thursday evening movie night under the pavilion (the film Cars, scheduled to start around 5:30 p.m.), several days of food and craft vendors, and a parade and queen‑crowning ceremony on Sunday. Jeff Granard, Grand Knight with the Knights of Columbus, said the Knights are assisting with vendors and pre‑ticket sales for some attractions.

Organizers highlighted a multi‑day music lineup. “This is going to be my 10th Valley of Flowers with the city,” said Brian, a city staff member overseeing entertainment, who outlined performances including Chaz 45 on Friday and Saturday acts such as Fanfare (celebrating a 50th anniversary), a Dave Matthews Band tribute called The Last Stop, and Trixie Delight.

The festival will also feature family attractions: bounce houses, a gymnastics bus, a 64‑player Smash Brothers e‑sports bracket beginning at about 11 a.m. on Saturday, a putt‑putt course for kids, pony rides, a petting zoo and free roller‑skating demonstrations provided by Skate Culture. Kinetic Tapestry is scheduled to provide live circus acts, and local performers including Billy Peak will close the festival on Sunday evening.

Lori Lowry described a robust vendor presence of food and craft sellers offering barbecue, snow cones, lemonade, tacos, gyros, funnel cakes, kettle corn, boba tea and handcrafted goods designed to support local small businesses. Jeff Granard estimated "about a total of 25 food vendors" will attend.

Parade logistics were detailed: the parade is to step off from the Egan Center at 1:45 p.m., proceed down Parker Road, turn onto Florissant Road and finish near Saint Francis; the queen crowning is scheduled for about 4:00 p.m. Organizers said there are 12 queen candidates this year, which they expect will increase the number of parade entries.

Speakers warned that weather remains an uncontrolled risk; they noted last year’s Saturday rainout and urged attendees to check festival communications for any schedule changes. Vendor and craft applications close April 27; organizers said forms and car‑show registration are available at florissantvalleyofflowers.com, and Knights pre‑ticket options are at crm.kofc2951.org.

The podcast concluded with organizers thanking volunteers and urging the community to attend. The event is presented as a community fundraiser with the stated goal of supporting scholarships and year‑round programming for young women involved with the festival court.