July

What: Big Bugs at Powell Gardens
When: through Oct. 3
Where: Kingsville, 1609 N.W. Highway 50
Information: (816) 697-2600, www.powellgardens.org. Dave Rogers returns with Big Bugs, a popular exhibit featuring 11 gargantuan bugs made from natural materials. The largest stands 25 feet high; another has a wingspan of 17 feet.
        
What: "The Mourners: Tomb Sculptures from the Court of Burgundy"
When: through Sept. 6
Where: Saint Louis Art Museum, St. Louis
"The Mourners: Tomb Sculptures from the Court of Burgundy" comprises 40 mourning figures, sculpted in white alabaster. Each exemplifies the highest standard of artistic achievement reached under John the Fearless, Duke of Burgundy, from 1404 to 1419. The exhibition is being presented in conjunction with "Bill Viola: Visitation," which explores themes of life and death by pioneer video artist Bill Viola. Admission to both exhibitions is $8 for adults, $6 for students and seniors, and $4 for children 6-12; it is free to all on Fridays. Museum hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday with extended hours until 9 p.m. on Friday.
Info: (314) 721-0072, or visit www.slam.org

What: 5th Annual Kansas City Fringe Festival
When: July 23–Aug. 1
Where: Kansas City, various downtown locations
Information: (816) 547-6161, www.kcfringe.org/Version2010/index.php
The KC Fringe Festival is packed with live theater, dance, performance art, visual art, spoken word, puppetry, storytelling, film and fashion.

What: Ozark Empire Fair
When: July 30–Aug. 8
Where: Springfield, Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, 3001 N. Grant
Information: (417) 833-2660,  www.ozarkempirefair.com. Largest annual event in the Ozarks, featuring grandstand concerts and motor sport entertainment, more than 40 rides, street performers, livestock shows, thousands of exhibits, unique shopping, fabulous food and fun for everyone.

What: Missouri Adult Show Me State Games
When: July 30–Aug. 1
Where: Springfield, Mediacom Ice Park , 635 E. Trafficway
Information: (417) 866-7444,   www.parkboard.org. Open Adult (18 and older) hockey tournament. Championship game played Sunday. Registration deadline: July 19

August

What: Washington Town & Country Fair
When: Aug. 4–8
Where: Washington, 200 Grand Ave.
Information: (636) 239-2715, www.washmofair.com. Admission $10–$25.
Main stage entertainers this year include Uncle Kracker, Ted Nugent, Peter Frampton and Rodney Atkins. Motorsports, agricultural/livestock exhibits, games, midway and more.

What: 17th Annual Missouri Wine Festival
When: Aug.  7
Where: Lake Ozark, Country Club Hotel and Spa
Information: (573) 964-1008

What: Hot Summer Nights
When: Aug. 13
Where: Lake of the Ozarks, Bagnell Dam Strip
 Information: (573) 964-1008, http://www.cruisehotsummernights.com. Free admission. Hours from 6–11 p.m.  All makes and models of cars, trucks and motorcycles will line the Strip and cruise. There will be giveaways, helicopter rides, entertainment and more. 

What: Christian Family Day at Six Flags St. Louis
When: Aug. 14
Where: Six Flags St. Louis, Old Glory Amphitheatre
Information: (636) 938-4800, www.sixflags.com. Music starts at 7 p.m.
Cost is $8 plus park admission.

What: 47th Annual Moonlight Ramble
When: Aug. 21–22
Where: Downtown St. Louis
Information: (314) 644-4660, www.moonlightramble.com
World’s largest nighttime bicycle ride starts at Soldiers’ Memorial at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, August 22. Vendor Village and onsite registration opens at 9 p.m. Aug. 21. The event includes pre-ride activities, a leisurely nine- or 18-mile bike ride and finishes off with an after-party back at Soldier’s Memorial Plaza. The event takes place rain or shine and helmets are required.

What: JoyFest
When: July 24
Where: Kansas City, Worlds of Fun, 4545 Worlds of Fun Ave.,
Information: (816) 454-4545, www.worldsoffun.com. Featuring
Fred Hammon, Bone Hampton, Donald Lawrence, J. Moss & Canton Jones.
Admission: $19.99–$49.99

What: Missouri Black Expo
When: Aug. 26–29
Where: St. Louis, America's Center, downtown
Information: (314) 361-5572, www.missouriblackexpo.com. The largest African- American empowerment event in the state. Hundreds of local and regional African-American entrepreneurs showcase their businesses. Artists, musicians, area agencies and major corporations participate.

What: Festival of Nations
When: Aug. 28 and 29
Where: St. Louis, Tower Grove Park, corner of Arsenal and Grand
Information call: (314) 773-9090, www.iistl.org A multiethnic celebration featuring traditional dance, music, ethnic food, cultural and educational exhibits, folk art demonstrations, and an international market. A free shuttle will be available throughout the park.

What: LouFest Music Festival
When: Aug. 28 and 29
Where: St. Louis, Central Field in Forest Park
Information:  www.loufest.com. Cost: $38 single-day ticket; $64 two-day pass. Hours noon to 10 p.m. A two-day sustainable music festival featuring 18 bands from a range of genres including rock, pop, folk, alt-country, and bluegrass. The event features a Kids Village, and an EcoZone to promote conservation, recycling and clean energy.

What: 22nd Annual Downtown Branson Fiddle Festival & Mid-American Fiddlers Championship
When: Aug. 28 and 29
Where: Branson, Branson Landing Town Square
Information: (417) 334-1548  www.bransonlanding.com/special_events.html. The Branson Landing Town Square will host the competition, returning the contest to its longtime home on the banks of Lake Taneycomo. The festival kicks off this year with a life concert by Big Smith on Friday at 8 p.m. in front of the Branson Landing Fountains. Free.

September

What: Art Fair at Queeny Park
When: Sept. 3–5
Where: St. Louis, Greensfelder Recreation Complex in Queeny Park
Information call: (314) 889-0433, www.gslaa.org. A juried, national exhibit and sale of fine arts and crafts. Live musical entertainment throughout the entire weekend.

What: Big Muddy Blues Festival
When: Aug. 4 and 5
Where: St. Louis, Historic Laclede's Landing entertainment district
Information: (314) 241-5875, www.lacledeslanding.com. The free festival features nearly three dozen groups on three stages from 3–11 p.m.

What: 34th Annual Japanese Festival
When: Sept. 4–6
Where: St. Louis, Missouri Botanical Garden
Information: (314) 577-9400 or (800) 642-8842, www.mobot.org. Admission $5–$15. Festival of Japanese culture includes tours of the Japanese garden, art exhibitions, traditional processions, tea ceremonies, kimono demonstrations, traditional music and dancing, Japanese marketplace, arts and crafts, Ikebana, Bonsai, martial arts, karaoke, Japanese theatrical performances, cooking demonstrations, food booths and many more fun family activities.

What: St. Nicholas Greek Festival
When: Sept. 4–6
Where: St. Louis, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Forest Park at Kingshighway
Information: (314) 361-6924, www.stnicholas.missouri.goarch.org/GreekFest/default.htm. Authentic Greek food and pastries, dance demonstrations and live music. Imports from Greece are sold in the bazaar.

What: Labor Day Parade
When: Sept. 6
Where: Downtown St. Louis
Information: (314) 647-6336, www.stlclc.org. Parade starts at 9 a.m.

What: Shepherd of the Hills Fall Harvest Festival
When: Sept. 7–Oct. 23
Where: Branson, Shepherd of the Hills Homestead
Information: (417) 334-4191

What: National Harvest Festival at Silver Dollar City
When: Sept. 11–Oct. 30
Where: Branson, Silver Dollar City
Information: (800) 831-4FUN, www.silverdollarcity.com

What: Turkey Festival
When: Sept. 25
Where: Eldon
Information: 573-392-3525, www.eldonchamber.com. Parade, Music, food, car show and more. 

What: 12th Annual Hollister Grape & Fall Festival
When: Sept. 25
Where: Downing Street, Historic Downtown Hollister
Information: (417) 334-3050, www.HollisterChamber.net