Rondo Days Celebration

Rondo Days Celebration

Third week of July

The Rondo Days Celebration launched in 1983 as a showcase for the rich African-American culture and heritage of the Rondo community in St. Paul, Minn. Rondo, the city's vibrant, predominantly black neighborhood, was destroyed and its people displaced in the 1960s by the construction of the I-94 freeway. Recreating the energy and spirit of Rondo and bringing together former residents and other Minnesotans and visitors was the inspiration for the celebration's founders, Marvin "Roger" Anderson and Floyd Smaller. The celebration is now run by a non-profit organization.
The event takes place during the third week of July in St. Paul. A celebration of multi-cultural food, art, music, and activities, it now draws up to 35,000 visitors a year. Other highlights include a community parade, a free dinner honoring the community's senior citizens, and a five-kilometer fun walk and run. There also is an annual, hotly contested drill-team competition drawing squads from across the country.

CONTACTS:
Rondo Ave. Inc.
651-646-6597
www.rondoaveinc.org
(c)

Celebration days:
2011: Jul 17 - Jul 23
2012: Jul 15 - Jul 21
2013: Jul 21 - Jul 27
2014: Jul 20 - Jul 26
2015: Jul 19 - Jul 25