Impact
St. Pete festival promotes the power of community
One of St. Petersburg’s prominent community activists has used his local connections to create an expansive festival dedicated to promoting togetherness.
The Sept. 28 West St. Pete CommUNITY Festival serendipitously falls on National Good Neighbor Day. Aron Bryce, the free event’s organizer, said his overarching goal is to unify people with various backgrounds and beliefs amid an increasingly divisive climate.
Dozens of public and private organizations and over 90 vendors have bought into the idea. Mayor Ken Welch will deliver an official proclamation celebrating the festival and National Good Neighbor Day.
“Even in St. Pete, there’s a lot of controversy going back and forth with all sorts of issues,” Bryce said. “But if you can find a day to bring people together across all these groups and populations – that’s a very powerful thing.”
The family and dog-friendly festival runs from 2 until 9 p.m. at Azalea Park, 1600 72nd Ave. N. It will feature myriad food and drink options, including beer and wine, live painting with 21 artists, “giant bubble performers,” fire spinners, birds of prey and police K9 demonstrations, and a plant swap.
Attendees can also explore the St. Pete Maritime Exploration Center’s mobile aquarium, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s helicopter and St. Pete Fire Rescue and Police Department vehicles. The children’s area will feature balloon artists and face painting, a photo booth, a craft table, an art station, a mini cow, and a police bike rodeo.
Bryce, 28, is the statewide coordinator at the Institute for Strategic Policy Solutions and serves on several boards and committees. He also leads the Council of Neighborhood Associations (CONA).
The festival stems from the West St. Pete CommUNITY Picnic’s success. Bryce said he was “blown away” when over 1,000 people from around the region attended the inaugural event in 2023, and he hopes to double that number.
Bryce said festival plans grew organically into what it is today – a free, all-day event with several performances, a vendor village, a kid’s corner and multiple interactive exhibitions. He believes participating organizations recognize the value of fostering unity.
While Bryce called that a seemingly simple message, he believes it is often lost in the debate de jour. “Many of these folks came up to me,” he said. His reply was always, “Sure, I’ll find room. There’s space for you.”
The expansive festival builds on the success of the 2023 West St. Pete CommUNITY Picnic (pictured).
In addition to the mayor’s proclamation, Bryce said the event’s musical focus is a personal highlight. He believes that aspect distinguishes it from some of St. Petersburg’s larger festivals.
Bryce called Greg Roy and The Pressure Band, who will play a Bob Marley tribute set, and Ajeva, who will play an original set before closing the event with a Pink Floyd tribute, “local legends.” He said a laser light show and fire spinners would accompany the latter performance.
“There’s really this huge potential for this to be a massive event,” Bryce said. “I’ve been planning in accordance with that.”
An event map and itinerary.
The main stage area will feature shaded seating for 100 people. However, he hopes to attract 2,000 attendees and encourages them to bring blankets or chairs.
While the festival will showcase West St. Pete, Bryce said he capitalized “unity” in its moniker to underscore the importance of welcoming residents across the region. The free event also has a significant philanthropic component: Bryce is encouraging attendees to bring various donations. Those include nonperishable food items for Love Thy Neighbor and pet food for Hank’s Bark Box.
Another local nonprofit, Gadgets for Good, needs old electronics to support digital inclusion. Bryce noted organizations often rely on events to sustain giving throughout the year.
“Being able to support and help others is at the core of what I feel neighborhoods and communities are all about,” Bryce added. “If I can bring that to my event and platform – I always will.”
For more information on the West St. Pete CommUNITY Festival, visit the website here.
RITA SEWELL
September 12, 2024at3:52 pm
It reminds me of the Circus McGurkus that was an annual event sponsored by the Quakers to promote community. It was sad to see it go.
Kari Mueller
September 11, 2024at4:43 pm
Way to go Aron Bryce and CONA in your successful efforts bringing together our neighborhoods and community! Can’t wait for another opportunity for everyone to get together and celebrate St Pete!