Yes, We're Open St. Louis Largely Unaffected by Rising Riv

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		FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
	FOR MORE INFORMATION: Donna Andrews or Rebecca Rodgers St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission (314) 421-1023 or pr@explorestlouis.com	Your readers should call 1-800-916-0040 (USA and Canada) or 1-314-421-1023 for a free copy of the Official St. Louis Visitors Guide or point, click and explore St. Louis online at www.explorestlouis.com
	YES, WE'RE OPEN St. Louis Largely Unaffected by Rising River ST. LOUIS -- June 20, 2008 -- Concerns about high water have not had a major impact on travel to and from St. Louis-area destinations and attractions. It's "business as usual" for the Gateway City, and no additional impact is expected when the Mississippi River crests early next week. This year's flooding in St. Louis is not anywhere near the levels that rose in the flood of 1993, with river levels 10-feet below those in '93. In addition, St. Louis is protected with concrete flood walls instead of earthen levees, and the floodgates have been closed. As cities and towns to the north struggle with the rising floodwaters from the Mississippi River, St. Louis is fortunate to have only minor adjustments to deal with at this time. Parking along the cobblestone levee on the riverfront is not available, but the Arch Parking Garage at 200 North Washington Avenue remains open and available for parking. Gateway Arch Riverboat cruises, Gateway Air Helicopter Tours, and riverfront bicycle rentals are temporarily closed due to rising water, along with the President Casino, which is permanently moored on the Mississippi River. All attractions will re-open and resume normal operations as soon as the weather permits. The Gateway Arch has not been affected and is open on its regular schedule. Fair Saint Louis and the Live on the Levee free concert series will be relocated due to the inaccessibility of the riverfront. Officials announced the annual events, which feature free concerts, fireworks and other activities, will take place at Soldiers Memorial, a park-like area located across from St. Louis' City Hall. The festival site is located at 14th and Chestnut streets in downtown. For more information, visit http://www.celebratestlouis.org/. The Missouri Tourism News Bureau is in the process of shooting video in a number of cities along the Mississippi River that shows the cities remaining dry and open for business. As soon as the footage is completed, it will be uploaded to an FTP site where broadcast media can download the video for use in their on-air reports. The Bureau will also post a version of the footage on YouTube and other publicly-accessible web sites, where traveling consumers can access it. Updates can be found by clicking on the media section of the state tourism department's web site at http://www.visitmo.com/. St. Louis is home to a number of new events and attractions in 2008, including "Niki," the unique artwork of French artist Niki de Saint Phalle. Forty colorful, larger-than-life sculptures are on display at the Missouri Botanical Garden through October. "Evel Knievel" has arrived at Six Flags St. Louis, and the new roller coaster is a daredevil's dream. The thrill ride features a 55-foot double-down drop, 16 hills with camelbacks, high-banked turns at up to 67-degree angles. And, there's a group of special guests in town at the Saint Louis Zoo this summer, as "Dinoroarus" comes to life. The walk-through exhibit features 16 life-size animatronic dinosaurs that move, roar and spit - and no, we're not making that up. For more information about the many things to see and do in St. Louis, visit http://www.explorestlouis.com/. ###
	MEDIA NOTE: For more information or photography of St. Louis, send an e-mail to pr@explorestlouis.com or call Becky Sharp at 1-314-992-0652. For up-to-date information about St. Louis, your readers should call the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission at 1-800-916-0040 or check out our website at www.explorestlouis.com. This news release is also available in electronic form. To obtain an electronic version, e-mail your request to pr@explorestlouis.com or go to St. Louis’ online media center at www.explorestlouis.com/media.