02/08-02/09 Once Upon a Valentine at St. Charles Main Street
Each February in Saint Charles, love takes center stage on Historic Main Street as our Valentine's Celebration, Once Upon a Valentine™: Stories for the Loved & Loveless, unfolds. This micro-festival blends history, fun, and spirited entertainment for locals and visitors alike. Join us for an array of activities embracing both the adoration and the playful disdain for Valentine's Day traditions.
A highlight of the event is the STC Valentine's Cards initiative, allowing guests to collect charming postcard-sized valentines from various activity locations. These cards feature quaint images of St. Charles and offer intriguing snippets of Valentine's Day history, connecting visitors to the holiday's lesser-known backstories and fun facts.
Engaging "Pro"-Valentine's Day activities include:
Card Making with Casanova Craft your own old-fashioned Valentine's cards with the infamous king of romance, Casanova.
Romeo & Juliet - Shakespearean Love Sonnets Spin the “Wheel-O-Sonnets” to hear the star-crossed lovers recite some of the Bard’s most iconic words of affection.
Cupid's Archery Practice Test your bow & arrow skills as you take aim at heart-shaped targets during Cupid's archery challenge.
Love is Universal Celebrate international love traditions as two French tango dancers inspire you to bust a move.
For those embracing a lighthearted "Anti"-Valentine's Day sentiment, activities include:
Don't Go Breaking my Art
Release frustrations through art therapy under the guidance of famed jilted bride Miss Havisham, channeling a Great Expectations vibe.
St. Valentine's Day Massacre Gangsters
Get your mugshot taken with some quirky 1920s gangsters, as they remind you that February 14th has been a historical day of infamy.
Six Wives of Henry VIII
Commiserate with the Tudor Queens as they share their ill-fated experiences with ex-husband, Henry VIII, culminating in a candy-filled heart-shaped piñata smashing.
Musical Entertainment:
Two a cappella singing groups, The Conversation Hearts, and The Lonely Hearts Club, will provide the event’s soundtrack with a variety of love ballads and breakup anthems.
