The 4th Annual STL FEST, a two-part festival at the Big Top on Washington Avenue in the Midtown neighborhood, is all about St. Louis and continued its meteoric rise in popularity.
The event which celebrates Black culture and community was held on Sunday, July 7 and the free block party featured Black-owned vendors, food trucks, the Annie Malone youth zone, live music, and a car row presented by Rides N’ School Supplies.
“The inspiration behind STL FEST stems from all of our experiences growing up here. Our neighborhoods, creativity, schools, sports, food, etc. Teen parties, city anthems (songs),” said Sierra Brown, production/stage manager for the festival.
The most important factor of the festival is to make sure Black St. Louis is represented in the best way possible. The goal of the festival is to help bring back positivity and solutions that impact underserved communities. Brown remembers growing up when St. Louis had teen nights, and more families were involved in the lives of young people. She hopes the festival will revamp and keep that tradition going.
Brown believes St. Louis is filled with talented individuals, saying, “We have to make sure we showcase that and show people anything is possible regardless of circumstances.
Local R&B artists like singer Be.Be The Neo Soul graced the stage with some of her soulful hits and DJ Nico Marie on the ones and twos kept the crowd dancing, playing hits from J Kwon and getting dancers super pumped with ‘Swag Surf’.
Brown hopes attendees feel that the festival “was a space designed for them to be their authentic selves, a space that provides comfort and safety.”
“We introduce them to new businesses, non-profits, community efforts, and people who they can build a lifetime of relationships with,” she said.
“We increased the presence of youth activations by partnering with the Annie Malone Foundation, the BGG Foundation, Rides N School Supplies, Race Forward/Forward Race adding Youth performers, and Skrt Go Karts so the youth could know they belong too.”
Local designer and owner of Limited Struggle Kevin Boyd, a vendor at the festival said, “STL FEST is big, it brings St. Louis together.
The festival reminds him of the May Day Parade when it used to be on Natural Bridge and welcomed its diversity.
“It’s all positivity, we all support each other,” he added. Boyd donated a pair of sneakers to a patron at the festival–he loves giving back to the community,” he said.
Heavy metal lovers and no– not the music but lovers of old-school cars experienced a red carpet experience. The cars were roped off but guests still got close and talked with the owners.
An olive green 1979 Chevy Impala was one of the event’s highlights. Derek Walker, the vehicle’s owner, said that STL Fest puts the spotlight on smaller organizations in the community and local talent.
“STL FEST feels like family,” he said. “It brings more business to the vendors that are out here.”
Bryniah Cole, local designer of the Butterfly Club said vending at STL FEST allows her and other vendors to network. “ We get to come together and be our authentic selves, it’s no violence, it’s good vibes,” she said. She said that she met so many people and she is excited to connect and further build St. Louis up. Adjo Honsou, owner of FuFu n’ Sauce food truck, a second-year vendor at the festival said, “It is so great to see Black people out having fun, celebrating one another, and supporting Black businesses.” She likes that she gets to share her African culture with other diverse groups of people.
The Big Top Concert featured LIT! Performances by local acts including D’Nerro, Rahli, and Shorty aka Reggie Son (a STL Fest founder.) The festival brought out the St. Lunatics ( Murphy Lee and KyJuan) and national artists Young Joc and Rocko. Both Young Joc and Rocko performed their early 2000s hits, and the audience loved it, singing word-for-word. The nostalgia filled the Big Top.
“We strive to aim bigger every year. Our only goal is to have a safe event & outdo ourselves from the year before. & thanks to our team, sponsors, volunteers, festival participants, & St. Louis we were able to accomplish that,” said Brown.
Ashley Winters is a Report for America reporter for the St. Louis American.
This is awesome I enjoyed reading all about the Big Top the Black culture deserves this event and so much more I have a biracial son his dad and his dad side of the family have nothing to do with him so when I hear about the Black culture doing it big like this it brings me joy and happiness I want my son to experience any and everything possible soak it up like a sponge so he will learn first hand about his culture I’m not sure if this open to different cultures but non the less I would love for him to go next year I truly he needs a black male role model to teach him life experiences I may know nothing about I hope I’m not over stepping boundaries by sharing a little about my life congratulations on everyone’s success with their businesses this was very insightful and inspiring to come across