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Blues at the Arch Festival 2026: Member Tent Recap
A cool retreat with a warm welcome: recapping our 2026 Blues at the Arch Member & Sponsor Tent
On Friday, August 14, as the sun dipped behind the St. Louis skyline, the Soulard Blues Band kicked off Blues at the Arch Festival’s 11th year. Just a short walk from the stage, under the shade of our member and sponsor tent, more than 130 Gateway Arch Park Foundation members, Eero Saarinen Society donors, Corporate Partners, Friends Advisory Board members, and Foundation Trustees gathered together for barbecue, cold drinks, and each other’s company. It was the perfect way to celebrate the festival’s opening night.
Despite the intense August heatwave, the tent was full of familiar faces, including many who return to Blues at the Arch year after year as part of their summer tradition. Debbie Weber, a member of our Friends Advisory Board, shared her personal history with the festival. “This event holds a special place in my heart. I’ve attended for the past three years, and I can tell you, it's a phenomenal festival. The vibe is purely St. Louis—a perfect blend of great music, fantastic food, and a crowd that feels just right.” Debbie continued, “One of my favorite perks of being involved is the special thank you the Foundation provides for members and sponsors. On the Friday night of the festival, there’s a member's tent. It's a much-needed retreat! This year, they served food from Salt + Smoke, which was phenomenal, of course. It’s a great space to relax and get out of the heat for a bit.”
For Eero Saarinen Society and Friends Advisory Board member Tanner Tucker, the tent has become part of what makes the festival special. “Blues at the Arch is one of our favorite events to attend every year,” Tanner said. “The member tent really elevates what is already a premier event with delicious food, drinks, and shade only a few steps from the stage. It’s great to connect with other members and share our passion for the Gateway Arch, grounds, and work that the Foundation does.”
For some of our corporate partners, this was their very first Blues at the Arch experience.
"My family and I were excited to come down and experience Blues at the Arch for the first time," said Michael J. Normile, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Cass Information Systems. "Despite the heat, we had such a great time listening to the live music and enjoying some amazing local BBQ. The tent was an amazing benefit of our corporate partnership and I can't wait to come back down next year."
Erica, a corporate partner from Humana, echoed that sense of connection. "This was my first year at Blues at the Arch, and I loved being part of an event that brings so many people in our community together," she said. "The member and sponsor tent gave us an opportunity to connect with people in a relaxed, welcoming environment, answer questions, and simply be a helpful resource. That kind of face-to-face connection is one of my favorite parts of what I do with Humana, and I'm grateful I had the opportunity to be part of such a great St. Louis event."
It would be easy to think of the member and sponsor tent as simply a nice benefit - and it is - but it’s also a small window into something bigger: Blues at the Arch Festival does not happen by accident. Each year, this event is made possible, by the combined efforts of members, corporate partners, donors, staff and volunteers, who choose to invest in our mission, in our hometown national park, in Downtown St. Louis, and in the idea that our public spaces should be open and welcoming to all.
Thousands of people fill Gateway Arch National Park every August for a free celebration of the music that shaped our city. The member and sponsor tent is our way of saying thank you to the people whose generosity makes that experience possible.
2026’s Blues at the Arch Festival may be over, but we’re already prepping our festival gear for next year. Members at the supporter level and above can look forward to another exciting and welcoming member and sponsor tent on opening night of 2027’s Blues at the Arch. Join or renew your membership today to make sure your invitation is waiting for you next summer!
Interested in becoming a Corporate Partner? Contact Christ Casey, Manager of Institutional Partnerships, at chris.casey@archpark.org to learn more.