Festival of Nations — Local services in St. Louis

I have been going to the festival of nations since I was a child. The way it was back then is very different from now. I appreciate the upgrades and organized events that has been added to the festival. But there are so many things that has been taken out that made the festival what it was.

As beautifully diverse and entertaining this festival was, there was more entertainment, rather than cultural experience. Years ago, performances weren't only about the eye candy. The performances involved people. Years back, during a performance, there were areas in the grass where people learned about the culture, and experienced it hands on. Whether it was dance, music, drumming, etc; I remember old men and women from rural parts of Africa, teaching rhythms to strangers in different areas of the park. There were a spread-out of people who had brought traditional cookware, and cooked on the grass, while strangers sat by them and watched. There were no volunteers that came with "cultural instructors". It was real people with raw traditions. It was simply come as you are, watch and learn.

In my opinion, the "global artist stage", is a good idea, but did not satisfy expectations. The artists were not culturally global, but cheaply and locally found and selected for their talented approach to cultures. There is a difference between uniting cultures with acceptance, and uniting cultures with respect. There were some people that didn't understand most of the artists that performed. Some even looked disgusted and ashamed as if disrespect was showcased on stage. People that I invited, including strangers and myself, has witnessed more drunks, smoking rudeness (both cigar and weed), immodest behavior, scammers of money, and disrespect of cultures than any other event that has happened over the years.

I get the fact that the festival's ceo/sponsors/affiliations wanted an exciting broadband united approach for the different races that live in St. Louis and tourists. But the change is far from respect, educational, and cultivating. There was more ways to spend money, rather than ways to spend time with actual culture.

I know there are others who think the complete opposite. But I am here to share the truth. I hope @festofnations sees this review and more reviews like this, and take thought.

(I also shared videos of what it was like...

Absolutely awful. I went to the Festival of Nations and tried JezFoods—my biggest regret of the day. The prices were outrageous, and the food was downright terrible.

I received two tiny scoops of bone-dry, tasteless rice for $12, a few sad slices of soggy, barely fried plantains for $7, and one small, bland drumstick for another $7. That totals $26 for food that should have cost no more than $5 to $7, at most.

It's not like I'm unfamiliar with Ghanaian food—I've had authentic Ghanaian cuisine before, and it's amazing when prepared correctly. This experience was nowhere close to that. The rice was stale and dry, with no flavor at all. The plantains were limp and undercooked, and the chicken tasted like it had come straight out of boiling water, devoid of any seasoning.

To make matters worse, they don't list prices anywhere and only reveal them when you're stuck at the front of the line. After waiting for a long time, you feel pressured to either pay or walk away embarrassed. It's manipulative and feels like a scam.

The Festival of Nations should be about celebrating culture and offering delicious food, not ripping people off with overpriced, subpar dishes. JezFoods needs to improve its food quality, pricing, and overall customer experience to avoid...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — A Passport to the World, Right in St. Louis

The Festival of Nations is one of those events that makes you fall in love with St. Louis all over again. For a weekend, the beautiful Tower Grove Park — a historic landmark and true center of the community — transforms into a living, breathing celebration of cultures from around the globe. Each tent, stage, and food stand offers a chance to step into someone else’s world for a few moments.

You can taste flavors from continents apart, hear music that spans generations, and watch traditional dances performed with pride and joy. From the sizzle of street food to the swirl of colorful costumes, every detail feels like an authentic gift from the communities who call St. Louis home.

What I love most is that it’s not just a food and music festival — it’s a chance to meet your neighbors, learn their stories, and understand the history and traditions they carry. It’s a reminder that our city’s strength comes from its diversity.

The Festival of Nations is more than an event — it’s an invitation. An invitation to listen, to celebrate, and to honor the cultures that make St. Louis a true crossroads of the world. Bring your curiosity, your appetite, and your respect, and you’ll leave richer than...