32
CULTURE
[ WA L K I N G ]
Take a Hike ‘Walk the Walk’ in Tower Grove Park promotes self-love Written by
VICTOR STEFANESCU
A
one-of-a-kind event — stuffed with double dutch, a 5k walk, live music and vendors — is coming to Tower Grove Park to boost self-love and self-care within the Black community. “We are promoting the importance of mental, physical, and emotional well-being,” writes Leslie Hughes, an event organizer, in an email to the RFT. “We want guests to see and feel the value in that and hope they leave encouraged to either start or carry on a healthy lifestyle.” The June 13 “Walk the Walk” will be hosted by Frizzy by Nature, a nonprofit founded by Hughes that promotes confidence among women, largely through Frizz Fest, an annual natural-beauty festival that attracted thousands of attendees in 2019, as well as
[ PA R A D E S ]
America’s Birthday Parade Set For July 3 Written by
JAIME LEES
T
he America’s Birthday Parade is returning to downtown St. Louis on July 3, and for 2021 it’s bringing something a little extra special. The theme of the patriotic parade this year is “America the Beautiful” and not only will it highlight all that is lovely in this country from sea to shining sea, but it will also include elements from St. Louis’ Annie Malone, PrideFest and St. Patrick’s Day parades, all of which were canceled last year as a result of the pandemic. This family-friendly outdoor parade will roll down Market Street and will in-
32
RIVERFRONT TIMES
A 2020 Walk the Walk attendee poses for a photo. | PHILLIP ELLINGTON OWENS Dear Fathers, a media platform telling the stories of Black fathers, according to a news release. The event, starting at 11 a.m. and ending at 3 p.m., costs $25, and both in-person and virtual registration options are available through an Eventbrite page. This year’s Walk the Walk follows an inaugural 2020 event which drew 200 registrants, according to the release. Registrants will be given a t-shirt and a knapsack. “Last year’s event was such an clude nearly two dozen floats, fourteen local and national marching bands, and more than 250 dancers. Attendees can also expect to see giant helium balloons and antique fire engines. The parade will also feature musical performances by Audri Bartholomew of The Voice, SJ McDonald of American Idol and St. Louis’ own Red and Black Brass Band. “We are so excited to bring the America’s Birthday Parade back this year,” says St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “It makes me proud that they’re bringing together other organizations who had to cancel their own parades, leading with a spirit of collaboration that St. Louis and the whole country can appreciate. I encourage everyone to celebrate however they feel comfortable, and to consider the health and safety of their fellow paradegoers as they come together downtown to celebrate.” The parade starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 3, and will march west from South Broadway Avenue and Market Street (at Kiener Plaza) all the way to
JUNE 2-8, 2021
riverfronttimes.com
amazing time and great turnout, we just want to continue that same positive energy and impact as many more people as possible,” Hughes says in the release. This year, Hughes expects more vendors at Walk the Walk than last year. A fitness instructor will lead a warmup before the 12 p.m. walk, and attendees will be required to wear masks and socially distance whenever possible, Hughes writes. She thinks partnering with Dear
Fathers will help communicate the event’s themes of self-love and self-care to everyone, including men and children. “We believe that partnering with Dear Fathers will encourage more men and families to come out and enjoy the event,” Hughes writes. “Both Dear Fathers and Frizzy By Nature both operate with the Black community in mind by creating positive outlets in various forms.” Organizers created Walk the Walk last year after Frizz Fest, Frizzy by Nature’s signature event, was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the release says. Frizz Fest, which took place annually between 2017 and 2019, grew in attendance from 600 RSs its first year, to , in , according to Frizzy by Nature’ website. That event is expected to return this year as well, but Hughes writes that getting approval for a 2021 Frizz Fest from the City of St. Louis has been prolonged due to changes in COVID-19 restrictions. “The need for change in 2020 is what really inspired the pivot from Frizz Fest to Walk the Walk,” Hughes says in the release. “We wanted to create an event where we as a people could come together for much needed self-love and self-care, and do so safely.” For registration and more information, visit bit.ly/3wD9Awn. n
For amber waves of grain (and more than a little red, white and blue) head to the America’s Birthday Parade this year. | ROBERT COUSE-BAKER/VIA FLICKR 18th Street and Market Street (near Union Station). Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs. And if you can’t attend but would still like to see the parade, it will be broadcast live
on KMOV (Channel 4). Visit AmericasBirthdayParade.com for more details on featured performances, parking information, health and safety guidelines, and more. n
