THE RONDO BLOCK PARTY STORY
The Rondo Block Party was originally launched as the Taste of Rondo Block Party in July 2023, with the goal of reconnecting the community through a vibrant, celebratory event that honored the rich legacy of the historic Rondo neighborhood. Held during a time when the beloved Rondo Days Festival was still on hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the inaugural block party provided much-needed joy, unity, and cultural celebration. It also served as a promotional opportunity for the Taste of Rondo Restaurant, which ultimately closed the following year.
The overwhelming turnout and positive feedback from attendees, vendors, and sponsors inspired the planning team to continue the event into 2024. Following the restaurant’s closure, the Rondo Community Coalition was formed and the team sought a new home for the growing celebration. We found it just three blocks east—at the Rondo Commemorative Plaza, which is curated by the Rondo Center of Diverse Expression (RCODE). The move allowed the event to expand significantly, adding two more city blocks, an open grassy lot for an enhanced Kids Zone, and full use of the historic plaza. With these enhancements, the Rondo Block Party was officially born, and the event shifted to its new annual home on the first Saturday of August.
The 3rd Annual Rondo Block Party in 2025 marked another leap forward in size, attendance, and community impact. Now, with growing momentum and deeper community ties, we look forward to welcoming you to the 4th Annual Rondo Block Party on Saturday, August 1, 2026, as we continue celebrating the past, present, and future of Rondo with purpose, pride, and joy.
2026 Event Outlook
🎉
📅 Saturday, August 1, 2026
🕚 11AM – 6PM
📍 Rondo Commemorative Plaza, 820 Rondo Ave, St. Paul
🔥 Bigger, Better, and Bolder in 2026
The 4th Annual Rondo Block Party is set to be the largest celebration yet, honoring the rich legacy of the Rondo community while expanding into new areas of innovation, wellness, and engagement. Building on the success of the 3rd Annual event in 2025, this year’s celebration will include upgraded features, fresh partnerships, and dynamic programming that brings even more value and joy to the community.
We are building on a powerful legacy of joy, resilience, culture, and unity. The 4th Annual Rondo Block Party is more than an event—it’s a movement.
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2025 Event Highlights
- Diverse Entertainment: The event featured a mix of live performances, including local bands, solo artists and dance teams/troupes, reflecting the rich cultural diversity of the Rondo community.
- Sponsors: The 3rd Annual Rondo Block Party was supported by more than 20 incredible sponsor partners who believe in the power of community, culture, and collective progress. These partners represent a diverse range of sectors from healthcare and education to finance and non-profit community resources. And each one plays a vital role in helping us bring this vibrant event to life. Their generous contributions not only make the celebration possible, but they also help fund critical community engagement efforts, youth programming, and wellness resources. Together, we are building a space for joy, connection, and legacy in the heart of Rondo. We thank all our sponsor partners for standing with us and investing in the future of our community.
- Vendors: Over 45 non-food vendors showcased local businesses, artisans, and nonprofits. Over 25 Food Trucks and pop-up eateries provided a wide range of cuisines, deserts and beverages.
- Kidz Zone: We dedicated a large grassy area for kids and families that included face painting, bubble blowing, bounce houses, gaming truck, technology row and many other interactive activities (Please note the Kidz Zone closes at 4PM).
- Health & Wellness Zone: The Health & Wellness Zone at the 3rd Annual Rondo Block Party, sponsored by Blue Cross MN, Saint Paul – Ramsey County Public Health, and Medtronic’s African Descent Network, played a vital role in addressing the health disparities and wellness needs of the Rondo community. This dedicated space provided access to essential screenings, preventive care resources, and wellness education in a setting that is culturally familiar, trusted, and rooted in community celebration.
For many residents, especially those from underserved or historically marginalized backgrounds, access to consistent health care can be a challenge. The Health & Wellness Zone provided information and care services directly to the community, removing barriers like transportation, cost, or awareness. Screenings for blood pressure, glucose levels, and other vital indicators—offered free of charge—can lead to early detection and treatment of chronic conditions that disproportionately affect communities of color.
In addition to screenings, educational materials and one-on-one consultations will empower attendees with knowledge about managing their health, navigating public health systems, and accessing long-term care resources. The presence of reputable partners such as Blue Cross MN, Saint Paul – Ramsey County Public Health, and Medtronic’s African Descent Network enhances both the credibility and impact of this zone.
Ultimately, the Health & Wellness Zone is about more than just check-ups—it’s about affirming that health is a human right and that Rondo residents deserve equitable, proactive, and responsive wellness support. By integrating these resources into a joyful, community-centered space, the Rondo Block Party continues to uplift its mission of empowerment, healing, and connectedness.
- Rondo Commemorative Plaza: A greenspace lot that features benches, a stage, and 23 history panels where visitors can learn how much the City of Saint Paul and the State of Minnesota have been improved, changed, challenged, and made better by the African American experience of Rondo. Visitors to the history walk should can take note of the engraved bricks honoring Rondo under their feet. Pop-up art displays highlighted the history and heritage of the Rondo neighborhood.
2025 Attendance Numbers
- Record-Breaking Turnout: 4,000+ attendees experienced the excitement, community spirit and camaraderie of the 3rd Annual Rondo Block Party.
- Broad Participation: The range of attendee demographics grew significantly as expected, resulting from the massive social media promotion, street team, and the increased number of new vendor and sponsor engagements.
2025 Event Site Adjustments
- To enhance both accessibility and engagement at this year’s Rondo Block Party, we’ve made key site adjustments focused on food vendor and sponsor placement.
- Some food vendors were relocated to more centralized and easily accessible areas to reduce congestion and ensure attendees have better access to the wide range of culinary offerings.
- Likewise, sponsor booths were strategically positioned in high-traffic zones to maximize visibility and foot traffic, creating more meaningful opportunities for interaction with the community.
- Signage was placed throughout the Rondo Block Party site to identify specific features, areas and bathroom locations.
These adjustments are part of our ongoing commitment to improving the event experience for all participants.