See St. Joseph: Check out traditions close to home and galaxies far, far away

Kendra Simpson, St. Joseph News-Press, Mo.
·3 min read

May 2—May marks the start of summer activities and entertainment for St. Joseph, including the 100th year of the Apple Blossom Parade. Learn about those celebrations and more in this week's edition of See St. Joseph.

Returning for its 100th year, St. Joseph will be gearing up this weekend for the centennial Apple Blossom Parade.

Starting the day off, the Apple Blossom 5K will begin at 8:45 a.m. and benefit the Sisters of Solace. The race begins in the parking lot of the St. Joseph Aquatic Park, traveling up Noyes Boulevard to Frederick Avenue, taking the parade route and finishing in the parking lot of River Bluff Brewing. Afterward, join in on the tradition of watching the Apple Blossom Parade, starting on Noyes and Fredrick and making its way down to Felix and Eighth streets. The theme of this year's parade is "Celebrating 100 Years." Bring the kiddos and a bag for candy and join our hometown in celebrating one of its oldest traditions.

Those who are from St. Joseph are probably familiar with the Krug Park amphitheater but many have never seen it put to use. That all changes this weekend with the After Dark in the Park movie night. In celebration of May the Fourth, join the dark side after sunset in Krug Park for a showing of "Han Solo: a Star Wars Story" at the amphitheater. Admission is free to everyone with popcorn and sodas for sale for $1. The movie starts at 8:30 p.m. Saturday.

Mokaska, Mad Mack Vintage and several other vendors will be spending their Saturday drinking coffee and shopping with the Vintage Market on Saturday, May 4, at 705 Edmond St. Hosted by Mad Mack Vintage, there will be vendors such as NJ's Boho Finds, The Funky Mustard House, Gaias Memories and more. Special guests Sentimental Creatures will be performing at the end of the market. This is a free event to attend but the hosts recommend bringing cash for vendors. The market goes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mokaska's patio.

The St. Joseph Figure Skating Club will bring a tale as old as time to the ice this weekend with a production of "Beauty and the Beast."

The public is invited to join Belle, the Beast, Gaston, Lumiere, Mrs. Potts and the rest of the gang from the Disney classic as they take to the ice to show off their skills in the story of a cursed prince who must find true love despite his hideous appearance to break a spell and make his whole household humans again. Almost 60 local skaters have been practicing for two months to bring the production to life. The local Griffon Gliders synchronized skating teams also will showcase their 2023-2024 competition routines during the production. Showtimes are at 6:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and at 3:30 p.m. Sunday at Bode Ice Arena, 2500 S.W. Parkway. Tickets are $10.