All the events that will have you going ooooo and aaaaaaa throughout the month of June. 

The surfeit of fun public activities in June is best demonstrated by taking a look at a single weekend: June 23-24. On that weekend alone, you could, if you wanted, load up the family truckster and shuttle from festival to expo to garden tour and exhaust yourself in high style. You could hit Pridefest for the pro-tolerance parade, the pet parade, the Jordan Knight concert, and/or the commitment ceremonies in Tower Grove Park (www.pridestl.org). You could hit Fiesta in Florissant for a Hispanic-flavored party with arts & crafts, food, kids' activities, horse and car shows, and ethnic dancing at Knights of Columbus Park (314-837-6100, hispanicfestivalstl.com). You could head east for the Great Rivers Towboat Festival in Grafton, Ill. (www.greatriverroad.com). Kids love that one, especially. Home-improvement fetishists love the Pond-O-Rama self-guided Water Garden Tour (314-497-6505, www.slwgs.org), and the Grow Wild self-guided Tour of St. Louis Gardens (June 24, www.thegreencenter.org). It doesn't get any cuter than the Cat Show at the Kennedy Complex (618-397-3908, www.ambclub.com), and it's particularly joyous when our good citizens celebrate the bang-up restoration job done on the Bridge at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge Birthday Bash with bicycle ride, cake, beer, Lion's Choice concessions, and live blues (June 24, www.trailnet.org). Finally, you can find me at the Catwalk Fashion Entertainment Vintage Wedding Gown Fashion Show & display of old-fashioned wedding cakes at the Missouri History Museum (June 24, 314-746-4599, www.mohistory.org). Catwalk does an excellent job putting on vintage fashion shows, and this one will fill the atrium of the Museum with a crowd.

Fridays: Free Friday Night Jungle Boogie Concerts at St. Louis Zoo (www.stlzoo.org)

Saturdays thru Oct.: Ferguson Farmers Market at Spot Dr. & S. Florissant Rd. (www.fergusonfarmersmarket.com)

Saturdays in June: KDHX 88.1 FM presents Harvest Sessions free children's, world, rock & other concerts at each morning's Tower Grove Farmers' market (www.tgmarket.org/harvest_sessions.php)

Through June 30: Meat-collage images by Ernest Trova, political sculpture by Bunny Burson & video in which Charles Gick puts flowers in his mouth at Bruno David Gallery (www.brunodavid gallery.com)

Through July 8: Just Jazz: Preserving the Jazz Syncopations of American Culture, group art show at Gallery at the Regional Arts Commission (www.stlrac.org)

June 1: Action/reaction: Film & Video Artists Look at their World series presents A Selection of Videos by Joe Sola at St. Louis Art Museum (314-721-0072, www.slam.org)

June 1-3: Art & Air outdoor art fair with live music, art demos & food sales at Eden Seminary (www.artandair.com)

June 1-3: DieCon gaming convention at Gateway Center in Collinsville (www.diecon.com)

Fridays & Saturdays June 1-23: Blues on the Mississippi (Fri.) and Oldies by the River (Sat.) concerts at Jefferson Barracks Park ($8-$10, www.stlouisco.com)

June 2: St. Louis Jazz Festival featuring Ramsey Lewis, George Benson & Poncho Sanchez at Shaw Pk. in Clayton (www.culturalfestivals.com)

June 2-3: Lafayette Square Historic Home Tour (314-772-5724)

June 2-3: Kimmswick Strawberry Festival (http://www.visitkimmswick.com/store/WsAncillary.asp?ID=39)

June 2-30: Fast Times at White Flag Projects exhibition of art by local collegians including Daniel Axe, Kevin Curry, Cameron Fuller, Trey Gossett, David Linneweh, Sarah Paulsen and Brian Priest (www.whiteflagprojects.org)

June 3: European Car Show at Frontenac Plaza (www.stleuropeanautoshow.com)

June 3: Taste of Clayton in downtown Clayton (http://www.ci.clayton.mo.us/index.aspx?location=233)

June 3: Flight City exhibition on local aviation industry history opens at Mo. History Museum (314-746-4599, www.mohistory.org)

June 3-21: Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents world premiere of David Carlson's Anna Karenina at the Loretto-Hilton Theatre (www.otsl.org)

June 4-29: Christine Ilewski paintings at St. Louis Community College-Forest Pk. Gallery of Art

June 6: Suspense Night featuring readings by authors Peter Spiegelman, Reed Farrel Coleman, Ridley Pearson, Scott Phillips & Michael Kahn at St. Louis County Library-HQ (www.slcl.org)

June 6: Strange Brew: Cult Films at Schlafly Bottleworks features psychedelic movie musical Tommy, sponsored by Webster Films (314-968-7487, www.webster.edu/filmseries.html)

June 6: Echo Theatre Co. reading series presents Cherish by Ken Duncum at Soulard Coffee Garden (314-995-2123, www.echotheatrecompany.org)

June 6, 13, 20, 27; July 4, 11, 18, 25; & Aug. 1, 8: Whitaker Concert Series presents free shows at Mo. Botanical Garden; June 6 kickoff features jazz trumpeter Jeremy Davenport (www.mobot.org)

June 6-9: Twangfest alt-country bonanza at Schlafly Tap Room, Pageant, Blueberry Hill & Cicero's (www.twangfest.com)

June 7, 14, 21 & 28: Chapungu Nights present self-guided tours of the Chapungu sculptures, entertainment, stone sculpting demonstrations, outdoor dining and cocktails for purchase at Mo. Botanical Garden (www.mobot.org/chapungu/nights.asp)

June 7-24: Circus Flora presents Marrakesh under air-conditioned tent adjacent to Powell Hall (www.circusflora.org)

June 7-24: Stray Dog Theatre presents Kaufman & Hart's You Can't Take It With You at Clayton High School (314-865-1995, www.StrayDogTheatre.org)

June 7-Aug. 5: Sandcastle Beach at Magic House (www.magichouse.org)

June 8: Missouri Insects: Photography by Donna Brunet opens at the Green Ctr. (www.thegreencenter.org)

June 8: Free in-store concert by alt-country singer Elizabeth Cook & blues-rock duo Two Gallants at Vintage Vinyl (www.euclidrecords.com)

June 8: Free in-store concert by Graham Parker at Euclid Records (www.vintagevinyl.com)

June 8-9: Maplewood Community Fair with parade, car cruise, kids' art activities, live music, kickball tourney and arts & crafts fair at Deer Creek Park (www.cityofmaplewood.com/dynamic/263.aspx)

June 8-9: Route 66 Festival with car cruise, art show & trolley tours of city in Edwardsville City Park in Edwardsville, IL (www.greatriverroad.com/somadco/edward/route66fest.htm)

June 8-10: St. Charles City-County Library Book Fair at St. Charles Convention Ctr. (www.win.org/library/information/friends.htm#BOOK_FAIR)

June 8-17: Alejandro Jodorowsky film series featuring El Topo & Holy Mountain at Webster Films (314-968-7487, www.webster.edu/filmseries.html)

June 9: Free in-store concert by psychedelic/hard-rock power trio Earl Greyhound at Vintage Vinyl (www.vintagevinyl.com)

June 9: Carnivorous Plant Society show & sale at Mo. Botanical Garden (www.mobot.org)

June 9-10: Creve Coeur Classic Drag Boat Races at Creve Coeur Lake Park (www.sldba.net)

June 9-10: Horseradish Festival in Collinsville (www.horseradishfestival.com)

June 8: Art Coop "Pride" group pro-sexual-tolerance art show at Jefferson Underground (www.jeffersonunderground.com)

June 9-Sept. 15: Photographs of buildings under construction by Stephane Couturier at Galleries at Sheldon Concert Hall (www.thesheldon.org)

June 10: Family Fun Day Fly In welcomes Spirits of St. Louis Radio Controlled Flying Club, the Aero Pilots R/C Flying Club and the St. Louis Whirlybirds to fly their RC models in conjunction with Flight City exhibition at Mo. History Museum (www.mohistory.org)

June 10: St. Louis Jaycees Soapbox Derby on The Hill (314-421-0006, stljaycees.org/soapbox.html)

June 11: Author of F5: Devastation, Survival & the Most Violent Tornado Outbreak of the 20th Century Mark Levine reads from & signs his work at Left Bank Books (www.left-bank.com, 314-367-6731)

June 12: Poets Richard Newman & David Clewell read from their jazz-inspired work at the Sheldon; sponsored by River Styx (www.thesheldon.org)

June 14: BCI Wing Ding hot wing festival with wings from 28 restaurants at EPC (www.bciwingding.com)

June 14: Experimental Art Thursdays invites artists to gain input & show off works-in-progress at Mad Art (www.madart.com)

June 14: Author of collection of found shopping lists Milk, Eggs, Vodka Bill Keaggy reads from & signs his work at Left Bank Books (www.left-bank.com, 314-367-6731)

June 14-24: Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents Bellini's I Puritani at the Loretto-Hilton Theatre (www.otsl.org)

June 15: Free Family Night at Magic House (www.magichouse.org)

June 15-16: Art in the Park art fair with hands-on art activities,

artist booths, performances, live music, and workshops at Faust Pk. (www.chesterfieldarts.org)

June 15-Dec. 31: Wired to Win unfortunately titled new Omnimax film on Tour De France athletes and their brain chemistry at St. Louis Science Ctr. (www.slsc.org)

June 16: Hillbillies, Ninjas & Mexican Wrestlers one-night art show featuring work by graffiti artist Peat Wollager at Mad Art (www.stenSOUL.com)

June 16-17: Hoop It Up 3-on-3 street-basketball tourney at St. Louis Mills (www.3on3basketball.com)

June 17: Symbols of Power: Napoleon and the Art of the Empire Style, 1800-1815 opens at St. Louis Art Museum (314-721-0072, www.slam.org)

June 17: CommUnity Days in Fairground Park includes gospel, jazz & Motown concerts, plus kids' activities, sponsored by Mo. History Museum, at Fairground Pk. (Natural Bridge & Grand, www.mohistory.org)

June 17: Father's Day Splash ‘n Spray water games for kids & parents at Butterfly House (www.butterflyhouse.org)

June 17: Picasso Pedal 5-mi. family bicycle ride through Forest Park with special activities for riders at St. Louis Art Museum plus bike-safety tips (314-416-9930, www.trailnet.org)

June 17-Aug. 11: New exhibitions at St. Louis Artists' Guild featuring The Race is On, Remembering Barbaro & Warm Washes/Cool Colors (www.stlouisartistsguild.org)

June 18: River Styx Hungry Young Poets at Duff's (www.riverstyx.org)

June 18: Spy novelist Alan Furst reads from & signs his books at St. Louis Public Library-Carpenter Branch (www.left-bank.com, 314-367-6731)

June 19: Soprano Christine Brewer, members of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra & friends perform tribute to late Opera Theatre of St. Louis artistic director Colin Graham at Loretto-Hilton Center (www.experienceopera.org, 314-961-0644)

June 19: Authors of Jews & Baseball Burton & Benita Boxerman read from & sign their book at Left Bank Books (www.left-bank.com, 314-367-6731)

June 20-23: National Pez Convention at Marriott West (314-416-0333, www.pezconvention.com)

June 21-July 29: The Lion King musical returns to Fox Theatre (www.metrotix.com)

June 22: Tool with Melt Banana at Scottrade Ctr. (www.ticketmaster.com)

June 23-24: Pridefest featuring parade, pet parade, Jordan Knight concert, & commitment ceremonies in Tower Grove Pk. (www.pridestl.org)

June 23-24: Fiesta in Florissant with arts & crafts, food, kids' activities, horse & car shows, ethnic dancing, etc. at Knights of Columbus Pk. (314-837-6100, hispanicfestivalstl.com)

June 23-24: Great Rivers Towboat Festival in Grafton, Ill. (www.greatriverroad.com)

June 23-24: Pond-O-Rama Water Garden Self-Tour throughout metro area (314-497-6505, www.slwgs.org)

June 23-24: Cat Show at Kennedy Complex (618-397-3908, www.ambclub.com)

June 24: Catwalk Fashion Entertainment presents vintage wedding gown fashion show & Lubeley's Bakery presents display of old-fashioned wedding cakes at Mo. History Museum (314-746-4599, www.mohistory.org)

June 24: Grow Wild (self-guided) Tour of St. Louis Gardens (www.thegreencenter.org)

June 24: Old Chain of Rocks Bridge Birthday Bash with bicycle ride, cake & beer, Lion's Choice concessions, and live blues (www.trailnet.org)

June 24: Holocaust Museum & Learning Ctr. Film Series presents grim film on student resistance movement in Nazi Germany Sophie Scholl (www.hmlc.org)

June 24-28: St. Louis Jewish Film Festival screenings at Plaza Frontenac (www.jccstl.org)

June 26: Sauce Magazine sponsors Dining 4 Kids; at least 20 % of bill at dozens of local restaurants goes to Children's Hospital (www.dining4kids.com)

June 29: New Media Series: Matthew Ritchie, The Iron City & Untamed Beauty: Tigers in Japanese Art open at St. Louis Art Museum (314-721-0072, www.slam.org)

June 29-30: Gateway Men's Chorus presents "Divas" concert at Edison Theatre (www.metrotix.com)

June 30: "Hoosier Glam" Art Prom party/exhibition at Mad Art (www.madart.com)

June 30: Parents Expo at America's Center (www.americascenter.org)