Bitter Cold Cancels Winterfest at the Arch, Carriage Rides

ST. LOUIS, MO — Due to forecasted bitterly low temperatures and dangerous wind chill, Winterfest at the Arch will close early for the season Dec. 29, after the public skate session that runs from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. New Year's Eve and New Year's Day events are canceled.

"The safety of our guests is our top priority, and with dangerously cold temperatures expected this weekend, we felt this was the right decision," said Gateway Arch communications director Ryan McClure. "We are overwhelmed by the success of Winterfest at the Arch's second year, and we are looking forward to bringing more opportunities for the public to enjoy the renovated spaces at Kiener Plaza and the Gateway Arch park grounds in 2018."

St. Louis County officials on Thursday also announced that carriage rides at the annual Winter Wonderland in Tilles Park in Ladue will not take place when temperatures reach 15 degrees or colder.

The decision came after an animal rights group sued to stop the rides. County Executive Steve Stenger said in a statement that the decision to call off rides in extreme cold weather is “out of an abundance of caution for the safety of the horses and patrons.”

A new front of cold weather will hit over the weekend, and temperatures will plunge below zero by Monday morning. With wind chill factored in, it may feel like 20 degrees below zero. Earlier in the week, Six Flags canceled their Holiday in the Park event and the St. Louis Zoo canceled Raja the elephant's 25th birthday party so he could keep warm in his climate-controlled barn.

In the midst of the deadly cold, several area homeless shelters have made more space available and increased their outreach operations. Individuals or families seeking shelter should contact the following agencies:

• St. Louis Housing Helpline: (314) 802-5444
• United Way: Call 211
• Biddle Housing Opportunities Center: (314) 612-1675, 1212 N. 13th St., St. Louis, MO 63106

The Associated Press contributed to this report.