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Get a Whiff of This!
The movies are about to get a bit smelly. Dimension Films has announced that "Spy Kids: All the Time in the World" is adding a fourth dimension to the movie-going experience with Aromascope.

From a Dimension Films press release: "With each individual admission ticket, kids and parents will also receive an Aromascope card that is free of charge with easy to read numbers outlined. As the numbers flash on the movie screen, the audience will rub the corresponding number on their card. When each of the eight aromas are unleashed you will get to experience a special moment in the film and be transported into scenes in the family adventure film. This fun added attraction takes the audience beyond sight and sound and into a symphony of scents as the movie is coming to life."

"Spy Kids" opens in theaters on Aug. 19.

Fourth of July Updates

Riverfest in St. Charles
The city of St. Charles is moving Riverfest to higher ground. Riverfest, the city's Fourth of July festival is being moved to Riverside Drive and adjacent parking lots. It was originally planned for Frontier Park.

"We've been watching the water table in Frontier Park for some time now, and we thought the ground saturation after the June 25 storm warranted bringing heavy carnival equipment out of the park and up to solid ground on Riverside," said Michael Spurgeon, the city's director of administration.

Frontier Park is currently above water, and is scheduled to remain open to pedestrian traffic during Riverfest.

Fourth of July at Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park
Area families are encouraged to take in the Fair Saint Louis fireworks from Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park on the banks of the east riverfront. The park offers unmatched views of the downtown skyline and will feature an array of free, family-friendly activities leading up to the fireworks on July 2, 3 and 4. The venue is also expected to be a hotspot for watching the daily Fair Saint Louis Air Shows.

During the daytime hours, Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park visitors can access the 43-foot tall Mississippi River Overlook viewing platform; check out the Gateway Geyser when scheduled eruptions blast 8,000 gallons of water a minute 600 feet into the sky, matching the height of the Gateway Arch; and watch Fair Saint Louis Air Shows set for 12 and 4 p.m. on Saturday, 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Sunday and 1:30 p .m. on Monday (schedule subject to change).

Family-friendly activities get underway at 6:00 p.m. each evening and will include free face painting, caricature drawings, balloon art and magic shows. Radio Disney AM 1260, part of the #1 radio network for kids, tweens and families, will be onsite each night from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. with music, interactive games and prize giveaways. Jen Myers of Y98 FM will also be on hand with her crew on Monday, July 4 from 5 to 7 p.m. Refreshments will be made available for purchase throughout the duration of the event, beginning just prior to each day's air show.

Flying High for Fans with Special Needs
Fair Saint Louis wants to make sure everyone can enjoy the air show this weekend, especially those people with special needs and disabilities.

From noon to 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 3, fans with special needs and their immediate family or caregivers are invited to a private air show at St. Louis Downtown Airport in Cahokia, Ill. The show is narrated by Adam Young, the voice of the Gateway Grizzlies, and features the same performers that can be seen at the Gateway Arch.

Fans with special needs will be treated to an airshow directly over the airport, and they'll also meet the pilots, and get up close to planes and helicopters.

Lawn chairs and coolers are welcome (no glass or alcohol), and access is easy and wheelchair-accessible. Shade will be provided courtesy of Jet Aviation. Chairs, sodas, water, and other amenities provided by Fair Saint Louis. For more information, visit the Downtown Airport website, call 618-337-6060 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The St. Louis Downtown Airport asks fans without special needs enjoy the air shows from the Gateway Arch Riverfront or the Malcolm Martin Geyser Park.

Related Article: Fourth of July Roundup: Events to Celebrate Independence Day

The Boathouse in Forest Park Earns Top Kid-Friendly Restaurant
Sauce Magazine has released the winners of their Readers' Choice Poll, and The Boathouse in Forest Park earned top honors for its family friendliness.

Fitz's American Grill and Bottling Works in University City earned second place in the category. Schlafly Bottleworks in Maplewood earned third place, and Chimichanga's Mexican Restaurant on South Grand earned an honorable mention.

"I think Sauce readers don't just look for your typical kids menu," said Katie O'Connor, editor of Sauce Magazine. Parents are more interested in kid-friendly menus made with quality ingredients, staff that will offer smaller portions of main dishes, and patient and attentive staff, O'Connor said. Boathouse and Fitz's have additional attractions that families enjoy, including the lake and animal-friendly atmosphere at Boathouse and the active and visible bottling works at Fitz's, she added.

The Readers' Choice winners are included in the July issue of Sauce Magazine, on newsstands now.

We Have a Winner!
St. Louis Sprout & About received an Apex 2011 Award of Excellence for writing. Specifically, Sprout won an award for its Celebrity Sprouting column in the "regular departments and columns" writing category for Apex.

APEX 2011, the 23rd Annual Awards for Publication Excellence, is an international competition that recognizes outstanding publications from newsletters and magazines to annual reports, brochures and websites.

According to the APEX 2011 judges, "The awards were based on excellence in graphic design, quality of editorial content and the success of the entry in conveying the message and achieving overall communications effectiveness."

In the Celebrity Sprouting column, Sprout writers ask local celebrities about their favorite family-friendly activities and events in the St. Louis area. Writers Jeffery Konkel and Meredith Boggess, and editorial director Jessica Pupillo have all contributed to this column.

Catch up on the Celebrity Sprouting columns!
Kevin the Intern
Tkachuk Family
Mary Engelbreit
Shandi Finnessey

Look for a Cardinals Celebrity Sprouting next week.

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