Rondo Days is an annual festival held the 3rd Saturday in July in Saint Paul, Minnesota, that commemorates the Rondo neighborhood, an African-American community that was split in two by the construction of Interstate 94 in the mid-1960s. The festival has grown since its inception in 1983, by co-founders Floyd G. Smaller and Marvin R. Anderson, to become the largest African American sponsored festival in Minnesota.[1]
History
editThe construction of Highway 94 through St. Paul in the 1960s destroyed several neighborhoods including Rondo - the backbone of the black community in the Twin Cities. Every June, Rondo days celebrate that community via an annual multi-cultural reunion, started in 1983.[2][3]
With officials scrapping the 2020 festival caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the 37th was deferred to 2021.
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Festivities
editThe Rondo Days Grande Parade begins promptly at 10AM, on the 3rd Saturday of July, at St. Claver Church and ending near the MLK Rec Center Park.[4] There is live music and food, and a drill team contest with participants from around the region.[5][6] Other activities have included pony rides, a bike clinic, and petting zoo. Community partners include churches, sports teams, schools and others.[7][2][3]
References
edit- ^ Gill, N.S. "Rondo Days". About.com. About, Inc., The New York Times Company. Archived from the original on 2006-07-20. Retrieved 2007-09-30.
- ^ a b Bergquist, Kris (July 18, 1996). "'Festival Celebrates Rondo Community: Rondo Days combines music, food, arts in downtown St. Paul'". St. Cloud Times. p. 12E.
- ^ a b Brown, Curt (May 2, 2007). "'Rondo Days will feature Hoopsters'". StarTribune. p. B3.
- ^ "Rondo Days".
- ^ "Special Events". Courier. July 19, 1996. p. 23.
- ^ "Having Plenty of Fun in the Sun at Rondo Days'". StarTribune. May 2, 2007. p. B3.
- ^ Windrow, John (July 20, 1997). "'Summer's festivals survive showers: the morning rain didn't dampen the spirits at St. Paul's Rondo Days and at the Aquatennial'". StarTribune. p. 29.