Every year on March 14, St. Louis hits pause on the everyday grind and celebrates the three digits that define the city: 314. This year carried extra weight as the city marked the 20th anniversary of 314 Day, and from neighborhood eateries to concert stages, St. Louis showed up in full force to honor its culture, history, and hometown pride.
Across the city, red and blue jerseys — the unofficial uniform of 314 Day — filled the streets. Families grabbed lunch at local staples like Hi-Pointe Drive-In and Blueberry Hill, while others kicked off the celebration with friends at bars in Ballpark Village, where DJs kept the music flowing all afternoon.
One of the most anticipated daytime gatherings was the Nine PBS 314 Day Block Party, hosted in partnership with Nine PBS, Greater St. Louis Inc., and the 314 Day Foundation. Olive Street from Grand to Spring transformed into a lively stretch of music, food, and community pride.
Festivities officially began with a toasted ravioli toast at 3:14 p.m. — a fitting nod to one of St. Louis’ most beloved dishes. As the crowd raised their “glasses,” DJ Wiz filled the street with a mix of old-school St. Louis classics and crowd favorites that kept the energy high.
From the moment guests arrived, the soundtrack of St. Louis hip-hop legends welcomed them in. Hits from Nelly and the St. Lunatics blended with early‑2000s favorites from Chingy and J-Kwon, drawing attendees straight to the dance floor.
Before long, a soul train line formed in the middle of the PBS courtyard. With cellphones in one hand and a cold brew from 4 Hands Brewing Co. in the other, guests took turns dancing down the center. Some hit throwback moves from the early 2000s, while others channeled classic ’70s soul train energy — blending generations of Black culture into one joyful celebration.
Around the courtyard, guests relaxed at picnic-style tables, enjoying barbecue from Pappy’s Smokehouse or vegan comfort food from Boogie Bites. With the sun shining and laughter filling the air, the scene felt less like a public event and more like a giant family cookout.
Beyond the music and food, the day also highlighted the city’s history. Randy and Jeff Vines, owners of STL Style on Cherokee Street, hosted a lively St. Louis trivia session. Attendees tested their knowledge on local myths and fun facts, learning about everything from cosmetic brands that originated here to the global significance of the Cathedral Basilica’s mosaic collection — one of the largest in the world.
While the block party set the tone, the celebration carried into the evening as the 314 Day Concert took over The Pageant. Presented by Phil Assets & Friends, the show became a full-on hip-hop reunion celebrating the sound that helped define St. Louis music culture.
Local artists opened the night, including rising talent Lady O and MBZ Live, whose performances energized the crowd and reminded everyone that St. Louis’ music scene is still thriving. Sets from artists like Dara Dollaz and Raysta kept the momentum going as fans cheered for their hometown favorites.
Then came the nostalgia.
St. Louis radio legend and performer Shorty Da Prince hit the stage, instantly sending the crowd into throwback mode. Fans sang along to hits like “Coolin” and “Wah Wah Wow,” reliving memories of high school parties and early‑2000s radio dominance.
The nostalgia deepened when Murphy Lee stepped out with fellow St. Lunatics members Kyjuan and Slo Down. The crowd erupted as he pulled classic hits from the vault — “Welcome to Atlanta,” “Shake Ya Tailfeather,” and “STL [n-word expletive]” — bringing battle rapper Hitman Holla onstage and sending fans into a frenzy.
When Murphy Lee performed “Air Force One,” the room jumped to life. Fans snapped their necks to the beat and hit the Nina Pop, while others recorded every moment for social media. By the time “What Da Hook Gon’ Be” rang out, the entire crowd was rapping along word for word.
Closing the night was Baton Rouge rapper Lil Webbie, who brought his signature hood‑rich energy to the stage. Songs like “G‑[expletive]” had the whole venue bouncing, while “Like That” got the ladies dancing. When he performed “What’s Happenin’,” the men in the crowd rapped every lyric like they were starring in their own early‑2000s music video.
But it was “My People” that captured the spirit of the night. Fans strolled down the aisles, showing off fresh Air Force 1s and 314 Day outfits while celebrating the city they love. Webbie kept the party going with “Bad Chick,” “Give Me That,” and closed with the ultimate anthem, “Independent.”
For one day each year, St. Louis comes together not just as neighbors, but as family. In a city often divided by neighborhoods and narratives, 314 Day reminds everyone that no matter where you’re from, the 314 belongs to all of us. And judging by the energy this year, the pride of St. Louis has never been louder.
Living It content is produced with funding by the ARPA for the Arts grants program in partnership with the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis and the Community Development Administration.
