Tower Grove Pride returns to Tower Grove Park this weekend, bringing with it myriad opportunities for fun, entertainment, and community engagement. The annual event, which began as a small block party in 2012, has only gotten bigger and better as it ages.
The festival footprint gets larger every year, making a map essential to maneuvering the fest’s many attractions. The festival is broken into rainbow-colored sections, making it easy to find activities, snacks, stages, and more.
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“As the co-founder and director of the festival, when anyone is like, ‘Oh, I have an idea, am I allowed to do that?’ [I tell them to] literally just do whatever you want, as long as you’re following the rules,” says Angelo Ossessivo, a co-founder of Tower Grove Pride. “Everyone is welcome to be who they are in any way, shape and form, and also do what they love to do with the rest of the community.”
In the green sector, lace up your rollerskates—or rent a pair for $12—for a turn around the roller rink hosted by Skate Culture. Lessons will be on offer for those feeling a little shaky on wheels. The rink also plays host to the Maven Lee Ball on Saturday and dance contest on Sunday.
Rebel & Roar Fitness, a local fitness studio dedicated to catering to every age, fitness level, and ability will be hosting free demos every hour of the festival weekend. They will be located in the blue zone of the festival, near the Chinese Pavillion.
Live DJs will supply the tunes throughout the weekend, including Tilda Sweatin, Static Appeal, BrandoBlur, and Saylor. On the Orange and Purple stages, 30 different performers and local musicians can be seen, including Po Mia, MADS, Spicy Kitty, and more.
“I am honored to be welcomed within the LGBTQ+ community in St. Louis,” Po Mia says. “Growing up, as a young person, I actively attended events like this and I never imagined getting the opportunity to have a spotlight or platform to share my most vulnerable works.”
Local bookstore Left Bank Books will host six authors— Viktoria Capek, Esme Symes-Smith, Safa Khatib, Kieron Walquist, Nikki Alexander, and Roque Raquel Salas Rivera—during the weekend for readings and signings.
All the festivities require some fuel, and three food courts spaced throughout the festival will provide food and drink options from 30 local vendors. Hundreds of vendor booths featuring local businesses, organizations, and nonprofits will also line the park’s paths.
Tower Grove Pride is a pet-friendly festival and a pet play area can be found in the green section of the fest. Booths dedicated to pets like The Humane Society of Missouri will also be available with mini agility courses, washable dog chalk, and microchip scanning.
The highlight of the festival is the annual walking parade held in partnership with People’s Joy Parade and Fourth City Sisters. The New Orleans–style march travels along the fest’s main path, starting at the Purple Stage and ending at the Orange Stage. Now in its third year, the parade winds through the heart of the festival before ending in a block-party-style hangout. Line up along the route to see performers, giant puppets, vibrant costumes, and more.
“I really want to do this with the express purpose of it being a resource for everyone and a way to bring everyone together to directly support each other. I believe that it has, and people feel that it has.” Ossessivo says.
Tower Grove Pride takes place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on September 27 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on September 28. Visit Tower Grove Pride’s website for details.
