Sat 9/13 @ 1-9PM
On October 27, 2010, civic and government leaders gathered on a large stretch of vacant land off Kinsman, in a neighborhood known colloquially as “The Forgotten Triangle,” and heard about a plan by a small group of neighborhood entrepreneurs to turn it into a productive farm called Rid-All Green partnership. Less than a year later, in July, people gathered at the same patch of ground to look at the first greenhouses and aquaponics tanks constructed there. By 2013, it was inviting neighbors and other interested people to come down for food and line dancing. What three childhood friends—Keymah Durden, Randy McShepard and the late Damien Forshe—started has grown into a 26.5 acre, sprawling neighborhood jewel with a multiple greenhouses, a community kitchen, a park and rain basin, a basketball court, playground, a composting facility and more.
In 2019 it launched Fresh Fest, a fall festival that showcased not only its activities, but community vendors, artists, environmental and wellness initiatives, meditation and yoga workshops, and kids’ activities. It skipped 2020 (didn’t we all?) but it has been back every September since, with an afternoon of top local music artists headlined by a legacy hip hop act, with activities for all ages focusing heavily on personal and environmental health. The event is co-sponsored by Environmental Health Watch and Brittany’s Record Shop.
Of course, Fresh Fest is back this year, and its headliner is MC Lyte, one of the first female rappers to enjoy widespread success in the late 80s. But local acts such as DJ Black Unicorn, Sadhu, Armand Rashad, Nuke Franklin, OG Vern, Esther Fitz, Lillian Ruffin, and Robin “Hyperius” Black offer an afternoon of some of the strongest talent in this area.
As usual, Rid-All’s bustling grounds will be packed with vendors, art installations, demonstrations, fresh food, a bar area for adults, enhanced playground activities for kids, and information from nonprofits and city departments. Oddly, their press release says, “New this year, Fresh Fest Cleveland will also feature line dancing, yoga, and more, offering even more ways for attendees to move, connect, and recharge throughout the day.” That is not new. Wherever three or more Black women gather and there’s music, line dancing happens. It’s always happened at this event.
The festival is free and open to people of all ages, races and what have you. It’s also accessible to all areas, right off the Opportunity Corridor (although far pre-dating it). Get off at Kinsman and head south, and you’ll hit its parking lot with a free shuttle to the festival site.
You can register here to help them plan but it’s not required. Get more information here.