The annual Affton Community Days Parade and Festival, themed “Affton Goes on Vacation,” will take place Sept. 15.

This annual event is sponsored by the Affton Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with St. George Parish.

The parade begins at 10 a.m. at Affton High School, traveling south on Mackenzie to Gravois and then east on Gravois to Heege, where it will end at the St. George Church parking lot.

Chief Tim Fitch and Capt. Mike Dierkes of the St. Louis County Police will lead the parade, along with the County Police Honor Guard and Bagpipers.

Parking for the festival will be available on the Salem Lutheran Church (upper parking lot) and at Kuenne Accounting & Tax Service (upper and lower lots at the corner of Heege, Siebert and Gravois).

Heege Road will be closed from Gravois to Aronia all day for the safety of festival guests.

The booths on the festival grounds will begin operation at 11 a.m. and a little before noon the festivities will officially begin with 6th District Councilman Steve Stenger singing the National Anthem.

Many favorites from past years will be entertaining, including: Juggling Jeff, a high energy, fast-paced, comedic juggling show that includes danger, suspense and audience interaction; Memories of Elvis with Steve Davis, local impressionist performing a tribute to the king of rock ‘n’ roll; local magician Joe Fingerhut, with Abra-Kid-Abra and more.

There also will be a beer garden and the SMASH band will play from 5 to 9 p.m.

The festival offers activities for all ages.

There will be shuttle buses to pick up parade participants on Gravois and Heege, by Gardenville Lodge and shuttle them to the parade start at Affton High School. The buses run from 8:00 to 9:15 am. before the parade and again after the conclusion of the parade until 12:30 pm.

Parking also will be available on the U.S. Bank parking lot after it closes at noon and on the Mid-America Arms parking lot after 4 p.m.