Grovefest

Grovefest is taking place this weekend on the stretch of Manchester Road that is now being called the "Grove", from noon until midnight. They didn't really do a very good job of promoting this, so I am going to go ahead and give it a mention on here; not only are there some great bands playing, but the Arch Rival Roller Girls will be playing an exhibition match, there will be a beer garden (duh), there will be a "grape stomp", and a food court featuring food from neighborhood restaurants. The imagery from the website suggests that this is a music festival, but the press release suggests more of a block party vibe. I will be out of town this weekend, but if anybody goes, please report back here. I hope it's a huge success turns into an annual event - St. Louis needs as many neighborhood street festivals as it can get - I just hope people show up to it.

Here's the Music Lineup:

• Gentlemen Auction House
  
• Bunnygrunt
  
• Seven Shot Screamers
  
• The Bureau
  
• Casey Reid
  
• The Vultures
  
• Javier Mendoza
  
• Dogtown All Stars
  
• Johnny O and the Jerks
  
• Tom Hall
  
• Soulard Blues Band

Here's the press release:

Forest Park Southeast is one of the most exciting areas of rejuvenation in St. Louis. The neighborhood enjoys many of the best proximities in the metropolitan area. Conveniently located between both major highways, 40 and 44, Forest Park Southeast is also adjacent to the finest cultural institutions the city offers; the Saint Louis Science Center, The Missouri Botanical Gardens, Forest Park, and all of the Grand Center attractions. The Washington University Medical complex is within walking distance and the Saint Louis University is just around the corner. An envisioned bio-tech corridor is progressing just across highway 40 under the Cortex initiative. And established neighborhoods nearby such as the Central West End, Tower Grove, and Lafayette Square serve as excellent role models for this neighborhoods revitalization.
Manchester Avenue as the central corridor to Forest Park Southeast offers similar building character and streetscape potential to another popular local urban and culturally diverse destination “The Loop”. A retail, dining, and entertainment district is indeed emerging along Manchester in Forest Park Southeast and is on track to become an important asset for St. Louis in much the same way The Loop has. The Forest Park Southeast Business Association has begun the grassroots work of positioning this stretch of Manchester Avenue as “The Grove” derived from adjacent Adams Grove and Tower Grove.

With this progression in mind it seemed an opportune time to hold an annual festival that celebrates the city and the uniqueness of “The Grove”. Known as the Grove Fest, the annual neighborhood showcase invites the St. Louis metropolitan area to enjoy a day of food, music, art and activities with a spot light on what’s new and what’s coming to Forest Park Southeast.

Proceeds will support the effort to continue the revitalization of Manchester Avenue by funding sidewalk and curb repair/replacement, sidewalk enlargement for outdoor seating, improved signage, streetscape trees and lighting, street furniture, parking lot improvements, and traffic light enhancements.
On behalf of the Grove Fest Committee (dedicated business owners and stakeholders in Forest Park Southeast) we whole heartedly invite you to explore this exciting neighborhoods possibility and support the 1st annual Grove Fest. This year’s event takes place on Saturday, September 23rd on Manchester between Sarah and Boyle noon to midnight.

...So there you go.