Nearly six months after a powerful tornado tore through parts of St. Louis on May 16, the second annual Delish on Delmar festival returned with a resounding message: this community is rebuilding—stronger, prouder, and more joyful than ever.
Held in the heart of the Delmar Maker District, the multicultural block party, food festival, and makers market was more than just a good time—it was a celebration of resilience. Spearheaded by local entrepreneur and Delmar Main Street board member Maxine Clark, the event honored local creativity while uplifting businesses and artists still recovering from the storm.
Clark was on hand for the festivities that included music, food, fellowship and art.
Blessed with perfect fall weather, Delish on Delmar transformed the stretch from Academy to Clarendon into a vibrant promenade of sights, sounds, and smoky aromas. The festival was family-friendly and pet-welcoming, with kids in wagons, dogs on leashes –even a few dogs in wagons – and community spirit radiating from every corner.
Guests were greeted at either end of the street by two 10-foot communal dining tables. They were inviting spaces where neighbors sat side by side to savor a St. Louis Dog from Steve’s Hot Dogs or sweet-and-spicy wings from local favorite Too Much Sauce before venturing off to explore the vendors.
Among the culinary offerings were E61 Café, the city’s first Greek coffee shop; gourmet ice cream from Scoops of Joy; boozy milkshakes courtesy of The Fountain on Locust; and Jez Foods, serving up authentic Ghanaian cuisine.
Delish on Delmar’s live music element kicked off with soulful Prince covers by St. Louis music scene staple Anita Jackson. Her smooth vocals floated down the street. She drew early crowds and set the tone for a day of celebration.
Later, Groove Junkies electrified the crowd with two dynamic lead vocalists—one doubling as pianist—delivering a high-energy set that blended classic and contemporary party hits. Their rendition of “Proud Mary” by Ike and Tina Turner had attendees dancing like Tina herself, with hair whipping and arms flying with joy.
They kept the momentum going with “Before I Let Go,” starting with the Maze featuring Frankie Beverly original before seamlessly transitioning into Beyoncé’s reimagined version. Their set blurred the lines between old school and new school, with smooth transitions between hits like “Da’ Butt” and “Blow the Whistle.”
As night fell, Fabulous Motown Revue took the stage and delivered a show-stopping performance. Backed by a full band and rotating lead vocalists, they lit up the block with timeless favorites: “Can’t Help Myself” and “Reach Out (I’ll Be There)” by The Four Tops, “Get Ready” and “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” by The Temptations, and Aretha Franklin’s “Rock Steady.”
Their high-energy medley flowed into Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough,” with pulsing blue and green lights turned the street into a full-on dance floor. When they performed Whitney Houston’s “I’m Every Woman,” the women in the crowd sang every word with emotion, echoing down the street in a powerful moment of shared empowerment.
Beyond the music and food, Delish on Delmar featured a vibrant makers market showcasing local artisans and entrepreneurs. Endlessly Connected offered permanent jewelry with custom charms and symbolic designs. Soap4Cure sold handmade soaps and scrubs. Proceeds from the sales supported research for the rare disease ataxia-telangiectasia through ATCP.org. Local artists including Amela Cikota Art, Hayloft Artist (Meredith Rodgers), and Madeline Finn Art displayed stunning original works and prints.
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.
