Patch Picks highlights editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off and more. 

 You’ll find useful lists to help you, your family, friends and significant others find the best places for everything from Sunday brunch to New Year’s Eve celebrations, pumpkin patches, date night destinations, florists, girlfriend nights out, kids party places, parks and more. 

Independence Day is coming up, and Florissant is in for a three-day weekend full of Americana. Parades, festivals, historical recreations and of course, fireworks, can all be found across the Florissant and greater St. Louis area.

Thanks to the long weekend, there are a host of events going on Saturday and Sunday leading up to that big Monday. Sit down and take a look at what works best for you from this week’s extended Patch Picks.

• Florissant Fourth of July: The city of Florissant will hold their celebration on the Fourth of July at the James J. Eagan Civic Center. Festivities will begin at 7:30 p.m. with an outdoor performance from the Northwinds Concert Band. The event will conclude with the city’s annual fireworks display, beginning at dusk. Bring out the blankets, lawn chairs and family for what is sure to be another exciting Florissant Fourth of July.
• St. Charles Riverfest: This four-day celebration starts July 1 at 5 p.m. with the opening of the Riverfest carnival. Held due west of historic Frontier Park on Riverside Dr., the annual Fourth of July event will include various vendors, music and entertainment throughout the weekend. It all culminates on Independence Day, when at 10 a.m., the city will host a parade leading into the carnival at 11:30 a.m. The carnival will last all day, ending with the fireworks display at 9:20 p.m. Just a short drive down Interstate 70 from Florissant, Riverfest promises to provide fun and entertainment to all ages.
• Alton’s Mississippi River Fireworks Festival: Alton, IL will be holding their fireworks celebration two days early on July 2. The event, starting at 7 p.m. and going through 11:30 p.m., will feature vendors, activities for the kids and music from The Glendale Riders all night long. The fireworks will kick off around 9 p.m. All proceeds from the event will benefit Alton High School, so head on down to celebrate America and aid in a good cause.
• Fair St. Louis: The biggest Fourth of July celebration in the St. Louis area, Fair St. Louis will be going on all day under the Gateway Arch from July 2-July 4. Vendors, activities and air shows will be offered everyday during the event, and a different big name musical act will warm the crowd up for the night’s concluding fireworks. The Steve Miller Band will play July 2, Maroon 5 July 3 and Montgomery Gentry will close the fair on July 4.
• Ferguson Family Fun Festival: Nearby Ferguson will be offering their own day-long Independence Day celebration starting at 10 a.m. with a parade down South Florissant Rd. Festivities will follow at January-Wabash Memorial Park, including food, beverages and game booths. The party will extend through the afternoon until the city’s fireworks display at 9:15 p.m.