ST. LOUIS, MO AND ALTON, IL (KPLR) - The annual Fair St. Louis celebration is underway at the downtown riverfront. This year's festivities feature the usual fun, food, music, helicopter, and boat rides. Music acts taking the main stage this year include the Counting Crows on Friday night and Train on Saturday. There will be firework displays both Friday and Saturday. FOX 2 will air the fireworks live Saturday night.

One of the traditional alternatives to Fair St. Louis is back in business. The fireworks display in Alton, Illinois is back on this year after being cancelled because of flooding in 2008. The economic downturn has shortened this year's event in Alton, but hasn't cancelled it. Alton officials say the money saved for last year's festivities is being used to cover this year's bill.