History of Tower Grove Pride
Tower Grove Pride began in 2014 after PrideFest, which has been around since 1998, moved from Tower Grove to its current downtown location in St. Louis. This exhibit outlines the creation of the independent festival as a desire within the community to maintain its local pride within the beloved park. Some of the items displayed include newspaper clippings, details of the park itself, an LGBTQ+ home, a shirt, and various advertisements. Starting organically as a block party, the new festival quickly gained popularity as a more local alternative with fewer connections to large corporations for the Tower Grove neighborhoods. Today it has ballooned popularity and is among several beloved annual festivals which occur in Tower Grove Park.
In 2014, an article from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch highlighted the first Tower Grove Pride Festival, a new event separate from the downtown PrideFest. It featured a Big Gay Picnic at the Tower Grove Farmers Market and a block party with music, dancing, drag shows, craft vendors, and food. https://www.newspapers.com/image/148561365/
This is a map for Tower Grove Park Pride Fest 2024. Throughout the map there are signs showing what kind of activities and booths that are available for the public. The map is colored as a rainbow showing and symbolizing the LGBTQIA+ community.
A Facebook post from 2014 advertises the first Tower Grove Pride event, created after PrideFest moved downtown. It highlights a Tower Grove Pride Picnic and a Big Gay Block Party. https://www.facebook.com/events/1413446068929697/
This is an article from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch from October of 2022 showing that it has been the host of Pridefest since 1998 along with several other events that celebrate and acknowledge other members of the St. Louis area. https://www.newspapers.com/image/889093974/?match=1
A replica of Michelangelo’s David, created for the Tower Grove Pride Festival in 2023. The sculpture was carted through Tower Grove Park during the event.
A souvenir shirt from the Tower Grove Pride Festival, held in September 2023, featuring a pink flamingo in a split pose, purchased at the event.
Newspaper clipping from STLToday Dated for September 23rd, 2021, this clipping announced the date of when the festival will take place for the year 2021. It detailed the many booths, music, and other available amenities for people to experience.
Pride in Local Government
Combining St. Louis and Pride Identity
