Rondo Days Festival Celebrates 42 Years of Community and Culture in St. Paul

ST. PAUL, Minn. — This weekend marks the 42nd anniversary of Rondo Days, Minnesota's largest Black-sponsored festival, celebrating the historic Rondo neighborhood. The event, which has been held annually since 1982 on the third Saturday in July, will take place from noon to 7 p.m. near the Martin Luther King Recreation Center at 271 Mackubin St. Attendees can look forward to a vibrant lineup of activities, including a parade, live music, food vendors, and performances from notable artists such as Ashley DuBose, Lady Midnight, and the legendary Rakim. Rakim, renowned as one half of the influential hip hop duo Eric B. & Rakim, is celebrated as one of the greatest MCs and lyricists in the genre's history. His presence at the festival underscores the event's commitment to honoring Black culture and heritage through music and community engagement. The festival aims to foster a sense of unity and pride among residents and visitors alike. In recent years, St. Paul has initiated several projects to revitalize the Rondo neighborhood, which has faced significant challenges due to historical injustices. The St. Paul Inheritance Fund has been established to assist descendants of Rondo residents with homeownership, while the ReConnect Rondo movement seeks to create a land bridge over I-94, incorporating green spaces and cultural resources. Additionally, the Rethinking I-94 project, led by the Minnesota Department of Transportation, aims to address the negative impacts of past infrastructure decisions on Rondo and other communities of color, further emphasizing the festival's role in promoting healing and restoration within the community.