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Vehicle infotainment systems are growing more important with each passing model year. Touchscreens have become standard equipment for most cars and SUVs, and as the displays become bigger, they take over more functions like the audio system, climate control, and driving mode customization. Modern infotainment systems can even run apps from your phone and come with their own set of applications. Mazda Connect is the company's newest infotainment interface. The company has taken a long look at its previous offerings and at the competition's systems and has prepared one of the best new interfaces on the market. It combines physical controls, simple interfaces, and a constantly updated software system to give drivers full control over their electronic features and comforts. The Rotary Interface While Mazda Connect's main display is up on the dashboard to keep it close to the driver's regular sight lines, the interface is down on the center console between the seats. The buttons are easy to reach in this position, and Mazda has designed them to be easy to use without having to look down. The main interface is a rotary dial that lets you quickly scroll between options on the screen, and you can push the dial left or right to jump between menus and lists. The Bluetooth Options You can connect any Android or Apple phone to the Mazda Connect system thanks to its standard Bluetooth wireless connection. Not only can you stream audio directly from your phone, you can also make hands-free calls using voice commands or get all the functions of Siri Eyes Free by connecting an iPhone and using the voice button on the steering wheel. Mazda Connect also supports several apps like Aha, Pandora, and Stitcher. This list may grow as time goes on because Mazda Connect supports software updates. CarPlay and Auto Mazda Connect supports both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which means you can get extra features and a wider app selection by plugging your phone directly into the car's USB port. While these programs may have different interfaces than what you'd expect thanks to the rotary dial, you'll quickly get used to how it works. Intelligent Drive Master Along with audio controls, Mazda Connect also features the Intelligent Drive Master, or i-DM. This feature analyzes your driving habits, including acceleration rates and lateral G-force, and tells you whether you're driving rough, mild, or smart. To i-DM, smart driving means keeping body sway to a minimum while still pushing beyond the mild, cautious driving that isn't nearly as exhilarating. Smart driving, on the other hand, is fun but fuel efficient. Mazda is doing something new with its infotainment system, and there's a lot to love about it between its intuitive interface and extensive options. In fact, you can add navigation to any model with Mazda Connect, even after you purchase it, thanks to a card slot you can use to update the system. Either way, Mazda Connect is a promising new interface drivers will love. Images via mazdausa.com

Like most Midwestern cities, everyone looks forward to spring St. Louis, Missouri. The snow is melting, the grass is coming back, and all the flowers and trees erupt in colorful blossoms. Not every St. Louis spring celebration is all about the season, but with the weather warming up, people love to have an excuse to go outside and enjoy themselves. If you're looking for such an excuse yourself, you should make time for one of the St. Louis events on this list. St. Patrick's Day St. Louis has a strong Irish heritage that the city likes to celebrate every year in March. In fact, St. Louis hosts two major celebrations each year in St. Patrick's honor. The big downtown celebration includes a five-mile run, a parade, and a dinner the night before. St. Louis' St. Patrick's Day parade is one of the biggest in the country, and it is held every March on the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day. The parade also includes an entertainment area called the Irish Village in Kiener Plaza that stays open before and after the parade. If you haven't had enough St. Patty's Day celebrations, the Dogtown district of St. Louis holds its own parade and festival on the holiday no matter which day of the week it is. Food and drink options include a lot of local breweries and pubs, so while the Dogtown Irish Festival is family friendly, there are also plenty of ways for adults to have fun. Mardi Gras The Irish aren't the only big influence on St. Louis. After all, the city takes its name from a sainted king of France. That's why Mardi Gras is just as important in St. Louis as it is in New Orleans. The dates change from year to year based on when Easter and Lent take place, but in St. Louis, the Soulard Mardi Gras celebrations take place throughout the months leading up to the big day. They include balls, a Cajun cook-off, and of course a big celebration and parade on the Saturday before Fat Tuesday. The Laumeier Art Fair The Laumeier Art Fair takes place at the Laumeier Sculpture Park every year during Mother's Day weekend. This celebration of art is a nationally recognized event, and artists from around the country submit their works for display. However, only 150 of the best artists receive this honor. The festival jurors also award prizes to the best submissions in each medium. Aside from displaying artwork, the fair also features a music festival, food, and hands-on activities for kids who want to express their inner artist. Spring is a time of renewal in the Midwest, and it's a time to go outside and enjoy the weather after the cold winds of winter fade and before the humid air of summer arrives. St. Louis residents have plenty of ways to celebrate the season, so get out there and find out for yourself what makes a St. Louis spring worth experiencing. Image via Pixabay

Like most Midwestern cities, everyone looks forward to spring St. Louis, Missouri. The snow is melting, the grass is coming back, and all the flowers and trees erupt in colorful blossoms. Not every St. Louis spring celebration is all about the season, but with the weather warming up, people love to have an excuse to go outside and enjoy themselves. If you're looking for such an excuse yourself, you should make time for one of the St. Louis events on this list. St. Patrick's Day St. Louis has a strong Irish heritage that the city likes to celebrate every year in March. In fact, St. Louis hosts two major celebrations each year in St. Patrick's honor. The big downtown celebration includes a five-mile run, a parade, and a dinner the night before. St. Louis' St. Patrick's Day parade is one of the biggest in the country, and it is held every March on the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day. The parade also includes an entertainment area called the Irish Village in Kiener Plaza that stays open before and after the parade. If you haven't had enough St. Patty's Day celebrations, the Dogtown district of St. Louis holds its own parade and festival on the holiday no matter which day of the week it is. Food and drink options include a lot of local breweries and pubs, so while the Dogtown Irish Festival is family friendly, there are also plenty of ways for adults to have fun. Mardi Gras The Irish aren't the only big influence on St. Louis. After all, the city takes its name from a sainted king of France. That's why Mardi Gras is just as important in St. Louis as it is in New Orleans. The dates change from year to year based on when Easter and Lent take place, but in St. Louis, the Soulard Mardi Gras celebrations take place throughout the months leading up to the big day. They include balls, a Cajun cook-off, and of course a big celebration and parade on the Saturday before Fat Tuesday. The Laumeier Art Fair The Laumeier Art Fair takes place at the Laumeier Sculpture Park every year during Mother's Day weekend. This celebration of art is a nationally recognized event, and artists from around the country submit their works for display. However, only 150 of the best artists receive this honor. The festival jurors also award prizes to the best submissions in each medium. Aside from displaying artwork, the fair also features a music festival, food, and hands-on activities for kids who want to express their inner artist. Spring is a time of renewal in the Midwest, and it's a time to go outside and enjoy the weather after the cold winds of winter fade and before the humid air of summer arrives. St. Louis residents have plenty of ways to celebrate the season, so get out there and find out for yourself what makes a St. Louis spring worth experiencing. Image via Pixabay

Road trips are a great way to get the family together and make some fun memories. Whether you're exploring or heading to visit family, don't get stuck with cranky kids in the car. There are tons of options for high-tech ways to entertain kids, but sometimes we might want some low-tech options. Here are some technology-free ways to keep the kids busy during a family road trip. Print Books and Audiobooks If your kids are older, encourage them to bring some books along for the ride. This is a great time to catch up on reading for school or get into an exciting novel. For those who tend to get car sick when trying to read print books, audiobooks are a great option. Audiobooks can also be fun because they get the whole family involved in the story. Stop at your local library to stock up before the trip or download some audiobooks to your smartphone. Metal Baking Pan and Magnets Little ones who enjoy more tactile activities will love a simple toy like a metal baking sheet and some magnets. Be careful which magnets you choose so that you avoid any choking hazards. Bring magnets like letters and numbers that they can use to learn. Older siblings can even play along with younger ones for fun and learning for everyone. Some games like tick-tack-toe also come in a magnetic version. Verbal Car Games Everyone remembers those car games you and your family used to play during road trips like "I Spy" and "Twenty Questions." Why not bring those back? The alphabet game is another great one where each person in the car tries to get through the whole alphabet by finding letters on road signs and license plates. The first one to z wins. There are lots of online lists of road trip games if you can't think of any. Travel-Sized Games Most department stores have a travel game section full of affordable games that are perfect for road trip fun. Get everyone laughing with some travel tablets of Mad Libs. Many board games come in travel-friendly magnetic versions. Bring along games like checkers, chess, Blokus and more, which are all available in travel size. Rubik's cubes are also great for entertaining older kids. Window Clings and Stickers Another fun option for kids of all ages is window clings. You can find these in tons of different varieties. Get some clings in different shapes or characters that your kids like. You can find alphabet and number clings as well. Stickers will also keep little ones entertained for longer than you might think. You may end up needing to peel things off your car windows, but at least the kids will give you a peaceful ride. Keep in mind that stickers and window clings can be choking hazards to really little ones. There are many ways to keep your kids well-entertained during a road trip without using technology. Stop by Bommarito Mazda West County to find a family-friendly vehicle that will keep them safe and comfortable as well. Our great selection of new Mazda models offers plenty of great options for your lifestyle. Image via Flickr by viralbus | CC BY-SA 2.0.

Road trips are a great way to get the family together and make some fun memories. Whether you're exploring or heading to visit family, don't get stuck with cranky kids in the car. There are tons of options for high-tech ways to entertain kids, but sometimes we might want some low-tech options. Here are some technology-free ways to keep the kids busy during a family road trip. Print Books and Audiobooks If your kids are older, encourage them to bring some books along for the ride. This is a great time to catch up on reading for school or get into an exciting novel. For those who tend to get car sick when trying to read print books, audiobooks are a great option. Audiobooks can also be fun because they get the whole family involved in the story. Stop at your local library to stock up before the trip or download some audiobooks to your smartphone. Metal Baking Pan and Magnets Little ones who enjoy more tactile activities will love a simple toy like a metal baking sheet and some magnets. Be careful which magnets you choose so that you avoid any choking hazards. Bring magnets like letters and numbers that they can use to learn. Older siblings can even play along with younger ones for fun and learning for everyone. Some games like tick-tack-toe also come in a magnetic version. Verbal Car Games Everyone remembers those car games you and your family used to play during road trips like "I Spy" and "Twenty Questions." Why not bring those back? The alphabet game is another great one where each person in the car tries to get through the whole alphabet by finding letters on road signs and license plates. The first one to z wins. There are lots of online lists of road trip games if you can't think of any. Travel-Sized Games Most department stores have a travel game section full of affordable games that are perfect for road trip fun. Get everyone laughing with some travel tablets of Mad Libs. Many board games come in travel-friendly magnetic versions. Bring along games like checkers, chess, Blokus and more, which are all available in travel size. Rubik's cubes are also great for entertaining older kids. Window Clings and Stickers Another fun option for kids of all ages is window clings. You can find these in tons of different varieties. Get some clings in different shapes or characters that your kids like. You can find alphabet and number clings as well. Stickers will also keep little ones entertained for longer than you might think. You may end up needing to peel things off your car windows, but at least the kids will give you a peaceful ride. Keep in mind that stickers and window clings can be choking hazards to really little ones. There are many ways to keep your kids well-entertained during a road trip without using technology. Stop by Bommarito Mazda West County to find a family-friendly vehicle that will keep them safe and comfortable as well. Our great selection of new Mazda models offers plenty of great options for your lifestyle. Image via Flickr by viralbus | CC BY-SA 2.0.

Mazda has some exciting new models in store for the 2019 year. Whether you're looking for a beautiful new SUV or a powerful sedan, the future of Mazda has something you'll love. Here are some of the new models featured in Mazda's 2019 lineup and what you can expect from them. 2019 CX-3 The updated 2019 Mazda CX-3 offers three trims: Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring. If you go with the base trim, you certainly won't be stuck with any basic features. The Sport trim comes with great perks like the Mazda Connect infotainment system, all-wheel drive, 16-inch alloy wheels, ambient temperature, and much more. Taking a step up to either the Touring or Grand Touring trim will add luxury perks like leather interior accents and seating options, additional technology features, and LED lighting. All trims are equipped with a 2.0-liter engine that creates 148 horsepower and is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Mazda's vehicle dynamics system with G-vectoring control gives drivers peace of mind even in poor driving conditions. 2019 CX-5 For those looking for a little more size and space, the 2019 CX-5 is a bigger version of the CX-3. This crossover SUV brings luxury and convenience together to create a high-quality vehicle. A step up to the CX-5 will also offer you two additional trim levels — the Grand Touring Reserve and Signature trims. Choose the Signature trim for some seriously amazing features like Nappa leather seating, an advanced keyless entry and remote start system, beautiful interior wood trim, and much more. A 2.5-liter engine comes with the top two trim levels and offers up to 250 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. A turbocharger works with the accelerator to provide seamless responsiveness and eliminate any lag. 20 19 CX-9 The 2019 CX-9 adds a third row, which is great for families and weekend adventurers alike. This is a great model for families who need space but still want the perks that come with a luxury vehicle. With both the second and third rows folded down, you'll enjoy 71.2 cubic-feet of cargo space. With a 3,500-pound towing capacity, you'll be able to bring your favorite oversized toys along for relaxing getaways. 2019 MX-5 Miata With three different trim levels, the 2019 MX-5 Miata offers drivers plenty of great options for their perfect fit. Whether you choose the Sport, Club, or Grand Touring trim, you'll get a powerful 2.0-liter SKYACTIV-G four-cylinder engine that pumps out 181 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. This power is a serious upgrade from previous Miata models and it's well-handled with a lightweight SKYACTIV chassis designed to deliver a stable but exciting ride. You'll surely turn some heads in this new Miata with its sporty look inspired by the classic 1960 roadsters. Go with the newly available brown paint color for a smoky, unique look. Active safety features are available to keep you and your new 2019 MX-5 Miata well protected. Stop by Bommarito Mazda West County to see our wide range of new Mazda vehicles. Get out for some test drives and see which model is right for you. Image via Flickr by SoulRider.222 | CC BY-ND 2.0.

Mazda has some exciting new models in store for the 2019 year. Whether you're looking for a beautiful new SUV or a powerful sedan, the future of Mazda has something you'll love. Here are some of the new models featured in Mazda's 2019 lineup and what you can expect from them. 2019 CX-3 The updated 2019 Mazda CX-3 offers three trims: Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring. If you go with the base trim, you certainly won't be stuck with any basic features. The Sport trim comes with great perks like the Mazda Connect infotainment system, all-wheel drive, 16-inch alloy wheels, ambient temperature, and much more. Taking a step up to either the Touring or Grand Touring trim will add luxury perks like leather interior accents and seating options, additional technology features, and LED lighting. All trims are equipped with a 2.0-liter engine that creates 148 horsepower and is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Mazda's vehicle dynamics system with G-vectoring control gives drivers peace of mind even in poor driving conditions. 2019 CX-5 For those looking for a little more size and space, the 2019 CX-5 is a bigger version of the CX-3. This crossover SUV brings luxury and convenience together to create a high-quality vehicle. A step up to the CX-5 will also offer you two additional trim levels — the Grand Touring Reserve and Signature trims. Choose the Signature trim for some seriously amazing features like Nappa leather seating, an advanced keyless entry and remote start system, beautiful interior wood trim, and much more. A 2.5-liter engine comes with the top two trim levels and offers up to 250 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. A turbocharger works with the accelerator to provide seamless responsiveness and eliminate any lag. 20 19 CX-9 The 2019 CX-9 adds a third row, which is great for families and weekend adventurers alike. This is a great model for families who need space but still want the perks that come with a luxury vehicle. With both the second and third rows folded down, you'll enjoy 71.2 cubic-feet of cargo space. With a 3,500-pound towing capacity, you'll be able to bring your favorite oversized toys along for relaxing getaways. 2019 MX-5 Miata With three different trim levels, the 2019 MX-5 Miata offers drivers plenty of great options for their perfect fit. Whether you choose the Sport, Club, or Grand Touring trim, you'll get a powerful 2.0-liter SKYACTIV-G four-cylinder engine that pumps out 181 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. This power is a serious upgrade from previous Miata models and it's well-handled with a lightweight SKYACTIV chassis designed to deliver a stable but exciting ride. You'll surely turn some heads in this new Miata with its sporty look inspired by the classic 1960 roadsters. Go with the newly available brown paint color for a smoky, unique look. Active safety features are available to keep you and your new 2019 MX-5 Miata well protected. Stop by Bommarito Mazda West County to see our wide range of new Mazda vehicles. Get out for some test drives and see which model is right for you. Image via Flickr by SoulRider.222 | CC BY-ND 2.0.

Car insurance information is important to keep updated. You never want to run into a situation where you need coverage, but inaccurate information causes issues. Here are five circumstances that would require you to update your car insurance details with your provider. When You Buy a New Car The most obvious situation for changing your car insurance policy is when you purchase a new car. Many drivers forget to do this, or they wait a while after the purchase to make the change. Your insurance should be updated before you even drive your new car off the dealership lot. Most car dealerships will help you with this step, but it's always a good idea to call your agent and double-check that your new vehicle is properly covered. New Licensed Driver in the Family Any time a new person starts driving your car, you'll want to update the insurance policy. Don't get caught up in the excitement of one of your kids passing their driver's test and forget to add them to your policy. You should even contact your insurance provider when your teenager gets their learners-permit. Having a young, new driver behind the wheel can change the price of your coverage, so you want to make sure you know what's changing. Decreasing Value of the Car As you drive your car around, the value is constantly decreasing. Even if you take good care of your car, any added mileage will decrease its value. Regularly updating your insurance policy to match the current value of your car can save you money. Certain types of coverage additions aren't necessary for older cars, so you'll want to make sure you're not still paying for the same collision coverage you purchased eight years ago when your car was brand-new. Basically, you never want to pay to insure a more expensive vehicle than the one you actually drive. Change in Marital Status Whether you get married or get a divorce, the regular drivers for your vehicle will change. Newly married couples should make sure they both contact their car insurance carriers to add their new spouse to their coverage. You never want someone regularly behind the wheel who isn't insured with your policy. Some policies actually offer lower premiums to married couples, so you might also save money. In the event of a divorce, it's a good idea to remove your former spouse from your coverage. An added driver may have increased the price of your policy. Change in Home Ownership Homeowners can sometimes benefit from policy discounts, so if you buy a new house, make sure you alert your carrier. Some home insurance and car insurance policies can even be bundled together. If you move to a new house in a different location, your premiums might change based on where your new home is. Staying on top of your car insurance coverage is a great way to avoid any sticky situations in which you aren't properly covered. Don't get stuck without coverage or paying for more than you need, follow these tips for good practice. Image via Flickr by angrykarl | CC BY 2.0.

Car insurance information is important to keep updated. You never want to run into a situation where you need coverage, but inaccurate information causes issues. Here are five circumstances that would require you to update your car insurance details with your provider. When You Buy a New Car The most obvious situation for changing your car insurance policy is when you purchase a new car. Many drivers forget to do this, or they wait a while after the purchase to make the change. Your insurance should be updated before you even drive your new car off the dealership lot. Most car dealerships will help you with this step, but it's always a good idea to call your agent and double-check that your new vehicle is properly covered. New Licensed Driver in the Family Any time a new person starts driving your car, you'll want to update the insurance policy. Don't get caught up in the excitement of one of your kids passing their driver's test and forget to add them to your policy. You should even contact your insurance provider when your teenager gets their learners-permit. Having a young, new driver behind the wheel can change the price of your coverage, so you want to make sure you know what's changing. Decreasing Value of the Car As you drive your car around, the value is constantly decreasing. Even if you take good care of your car, any added mileage will decrease its value. Regularly updating your insurance policy to match the current value of your car can save you money. Certain types of coverage additions aren't necessary for older cars, so you'll want to make sure you're not still paying for the same collision coverage you purchased eight years ago when your car was brand-new. Basically, you never want to pay to insure a more expensive vehicle than the one you actually drive. Change in Marital Status Whether you get married or get a divorce, the regular drivers for your vehicle will change. Newly married couples should make sure they both contact their car insurance carriers to add their new spouse to their coverage. You never want someone regularly behind the wheel who isn't insured with your policy. Some policies actually offer lower premiums to married couples, so you might also save money. In the event of a divorce, it's a good idea to remove your former spouse from your coverage. An added driver may have increased the price of your policy. Change in Home Ownership Homeowners can sometimes benefit from policy discounts, so if you buy a new house, make sure you alert your carrier. Some home insurance and car insurance policies can even be bundled together. If you move to a new house in a different location, your premiums might change based on where your new home is. Staying on top of your car insurance coverage is a great way to avoid any sticky situations in which you aren't properly covered. Don't get stuck without coverage or paying for more than you need, follow these tips for good practice. Image via Flickr by angrykarl | CC BY 2.0.

It's tough to figure out exactly how much car you can afford. You always want to be smart about budgeting for major purchases, which means spending only what you can realistically afford and being knowledgeable about financing options. Here are five tips for figuring out your budget for a new car. Know the Worth of Your Current Car There are many online resources for figuring out what your car is worth. Kelley Blue Book is a great place to research the value of your current car. Whether you decide to trade in your current vehicle for the new car you purchase at the dealership or sell it yourself, it's good to know what you can expect to get for it. Selling your car on your own can give you cash for a good down payment on your new car, which is always nice to have. Figure Out What Monthly Payment You Can Afford When deciding on your budget for a new car, you'll need to know what you can afford to pay monthly. You don't want to end up stuck with a regular monthly payment that you can't keep. Don't forget that this payment amount will include both the principal amount of the loan and your interest. There are three main factors to a car loan: the term length, down payment, and interest rate. Do some research to figure out what kinds of rates and terms are available before heading into the dealership. Be Prepared for a Good Down Payment Whether you use some savings or the cash from selling your previous car, putting up some money for a good down payment will help lower your monthly cost and can sometimes lead to better interest rates. Ideally, you'll want to be able to put up at least 20 percent of the price of your new car. Understand Your Payment Timeline You might find a loan option that offers really low monthly payments, but be aware of its term length. A longer-term car loan may give you low payments, but it means that the bank will own your car until you've paid it off, and you'll be paying interest for that whole term. If you can afford a higher monthly payment, it's better to own the car faster and get away from having a monthly payment at all. Decide on a Price Range Understanding interest rates, loan terms, and monthly payments will lead you to decide on a realistic price range for your new car. No matter which type of car you want, you'll need to start looking in the right price brackets. Don't waste time shopping for a $60,000 luxury vehicle if you can only afford a $15,000 car. Be careful to keep in mind other costs like insurance coverage, registration, maintenance, and more as you figure out what you can afford. Once you've decided on the right budget for you, head to Bommarito Mazda West County to check out our great selection of new vehicles. Our staff will be happy to work with you on financing to get you behind the wheel of the car you want. Image via Flickr by free pictures of money | CC BY 2.0.

It's tough to figure out exactly how much car you can afford. You always want to be smart about budgeting for major purchases, which means spending only what you can realistically afford and being knowledgeable about financing options. Here are five tips for figuring out your budget for a new car. Know the Worth of Your Current Car There are many online resources for figuring out what your car is worth. Kelley Blue Book is a great place to research the value of your current car. Whether you decide to trade in your current vehicle for the new car you purchase at the dealership or sell it yourself, it's good to know what you can expect to get for it. Selling your car on your own can give you cash for a good down payment on your new car, which is always nice to have. Figure Out What Monthly Payment You Can Afford When deciding on your budget for a new car, you'll need to know what you can afford to pay monthly. You don't want to end up stuck with a regular monthly payment that you can't keep. Don't forget that this payment amount will include both the principal amount of the loan and your interest. There are three main factors to a car loan: the term length, down payment, and interest rate. Do some research to figure out what kinds of rates and terms are available before heading into the dealership. Be Prepared for a Good Down Payment Whether you use some savings or the cash from selling your previous car, putting up some money for a good down payment will help lower your monthly cost and can sometimes lead to better interest rates. Ideally, you'll want to be able to put up at least 20 percent of the price of your new car. Understand Your Payment Timeline You might find a loan option that offers really low monthly payments, but be aware of its term length. A longer-term car loan may give you low payments, but it means that the bank will own your car until you've paid it off, and you'll be paying interest for that whole term. If you can afford a higher monthly payment, it's better to own the car faster and get away from having a monthly payment at all. Decide on a Price Range Understanding interest rates, loan terms, and monthly payments will lead you to decide on a realistic price range for your new car. No matter which type of car you want, you'll need to start looking in the right price brackets. Don't waste time shopping for a $60,000 luxury vehicle if you can only afford a $15,000 car. Be careful to keep in mind other costs like insurance coverage, registration, maintenance, and more as you figure out what you can afford. Once you've decided on the right budget for you, head to Bommarito Mazda West County to check out our great selection of new vehicles. Our staff will be happy to work with you on financing to get you behind the wheel of the car you want. Image via Flickr by free pictures of money | CC BY 2.0.

St. Louis is a wonderful place in the springtime. The weather is starting to warm up, and there are all kinds of things going on. Whether you want to get out with friends or you need to keep the kids busy, check out these can't-miss spring events in St. Louis, Missouri. Wizard World Comic Con From April 5 - April 7, the Annual Wizard World Comic Con will take place at America's Center in downtown St. Louis. The event runs from Friday afternoon until Sunday afternoon and celebrates everything comics. You can check out comics, graphic novels, TV shows, and gaming at this fun event. There will also be celebrities from moves and TV along with writers and artists. Gamers can watch or join in the gaming tournaments, and anyone can take part in the costume contest. General admission tickets are $49.99 per day or you can get a VIP package for $99.99. Go! St. Louis Marathon & Family Fitness Weekend Each April in downtown St. Louis, can take part in the Go! St. Louis Marathon & Family Fitness Weekend. This family-friendly event features races for people of all ages and fitness levels, including a marathon, a half marathon, a 5K run/walk, and even children's fun runs. For 2019, the Go St. Louis Weekend will take place from April 5 - 7. Racers will get to enjoy St. Louis-themed food at the finish line, get race T-shirts, and take part in a post-race party with a local band. St. Louis Earth Day Festival Head to Forest Park in late April for the annual St. Louis Earth Day Festival. This event gives the community a chance to celebrate the Earth and learn all about the resources and products they can use to help the earth every day. There will be three different stages with entertainment, food from local restaurants, and over 200 different booths. The whole family can take part in this event with hands-on activities for all ages. Shakespeare Festival St. Louis Head to Forest Park in late May to watch Shakespeare under the stars. The main stage production is always fantastic, and each year brings something special. Guests can bring chairs and blankets for lawn seating and even bring a picnic for dinner. There is a caterer on sight if you want to get a box dinner. If you arrive early, you can see the traditional Green Show which starts the night off for even more entertainment. This early show includes dancers, jugglers, and musicians that interact with the audience to keep you entertained while you wait for the main performance. Laumeiers Annual Art Fair From May 10 - 12 the annual Art Fair will take place at Laumeier Sculptor Park. This event will feature live music, hands-on activities for the kids, food and drinks from local vendors, and over 150 juried artists from all across the country. Stroll through the exhibits showcasing work from many different media including ceramics, jewelry, painting, photography, and glass. Check out these St. Louis events happening this spring. Image via Flickr by TFDuesing | CC BY 2.0.