Instead of marching down Market Street for the parade on May 18, 2025, Annie Malone Children and Family Services Center shifted its focus. The organization spent the day giving back to those impacted by the devastating tornado. The storm had touched down in North St. Louis just two days earlier.
While the parade didn’t return in its original format in 2026, the organization kept one of St. Louis’ longest-running and most cherished spring traditions – and one of the longest-running historically Black cultural events in the nation. On Sunday afternoon, it was reimagined as The May Day Festival. The all-inclusive community celebration and talent showcase was situated at Poelker Park. The event brought residents from across the city for a day centered on unity, entertainment and healing.
Families, children and community leaders filled the downtown park for an afternoon of music, performances and fellowship. Music throughout the event was provided by DJSTEW.net with Jess Live serving as host, while local organizations and schools entertained guests from the main stage in a format that offered attendees a deeper connection to the groups serving the community.
Among the highlights were performances by the Alpha Phi Alpha step team and marching bands from prominent St. Louis-area schools. Jennings Senior High School and Cardinal Ritter College Prep were among them. Their dramatic renditions of “Boot on the Ground” and “Still Fly” energized the crowd, creating an atmosphere that captured the spirit of the parade many residents have come to love for more than a century.
Unlike a traditional parade, where organizations briefly pass by sharing only basic information, this year’s festival allowed community groups to directly engage with attendees from the stage. Organizations spoke about their missions, goals and impact throughout the St. Louis region.
One of those organizations was Show Me Peace, a violence prevention initiative powered by Mission: St. Louis. Representatives spoke about their efforts to create safer neighborhoods and support vulnerable residents throughout the city.
“We go into these neighborhoods and we establish safe spaces for children and the elderly to be able to engage in their neighborhood without the threat of gun violence,” a spokesperson from the organization said. “The people that society has thrown away, these are the people that we love on and build relationships with them.”
The festival’s theme, “Roots, Resilience and Renewal,” reflected a broader focus on rebuilding community and supporting families still recovering from hardships across the region. In that spirit, the Annie Malone foundation gifted 20 families with new home appliances and furniture sets as they continue recovering from the devastating tornado that impacted the area one year ago.
Credit: Photo by Taylor Marrie | St. Louis American
Keisha Lee joined St. Louis music legend Nelly on the main stage for the giveaway presentation. Together, they announced the names of each family before posing for a group photo with recipients.
After the presentation, Lee thanked Nelly for his continued support of the city.
“I love everything you do for the Lou seen and unseen. Thank you to you and everybody else that goes outside this city and brings nothing but greatness back,” Lee said.
Throughout the day, the May Day Festival served as a gathering space where neighbors reconnected, children played freely and organizations shared the work they are doing to strengthen St. Louis communities. The festival offered a release from daily stress while renewing a sense of hope and togetherness. For many families, the festival was a reminder that community still matters and that being able to both support and be seen by one another remains one of St. Louis’ greatest strengths.
For more information about the Annie Malone Children and Family Services Center, visit www.anniemalone.org.
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.
