Brian McKenna Day is rolling back into South City this Saturday, May 30, taking over Macklind Avenue between Devonshire and Nottingham for an afternoon block party from 2 to 7 p.m. The street fest blends live music, food and drinks with neighborhood vendors and family activities, and organizers are even hauling out “Manny,” a kickboxing dummy that has become part of the event’s lore, as friends and fans raise money for cancer charities. The party sprang from the wave of support that followed longtime St. Louis sportscaster Brian McKenna’s death in March 2025 and is framed as a lively way to honor what many remember as his almost relentless generosity.
Street Party Details
Organizers say the event will run from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Macklind between Devonshire and Nottingham, closing the block to traffic to make room for music, booths and food vendors, according to KSDK. The lineup is billed as a mix of live bands, neighborhood restaurants and bars serving from pop-up spots, and family-friendly activities. Drivers should plan around heavy foot traffic and tight curb parking in the St. Louis Hills and South City area.
Last Year’s Turnout And Fundraising
Organizers told KSDK that last year’s street party drew nearly 5,000 people and raised almost $70,000 for cancer charities. Radio legend JC Corcoran, who helped run the celebration, tried to sum up McKenna’s habit of giving: “Brian was a very unusual guy because he just gave and gave and gave.” Local coverage at the time described crowds packing Macklind, a quick sign the event had already turned into a neighborhood staple.
Remembering McKenna
Brian McKenna, 61, was a longtime St. Louis sportscaster who died after being struck by a car in March 2025. Colleagues and local outlets noted his tireless charity work and on-air fundraising efforts. His obituary and broadcast remembrances outlined a career spent lifting up community causes and described him as a two-time cancer survivor who quietly backed numerous organizations, according to reporting by KMOX. The block party has become one public way to keep that work moving.
What To Expect
Attendees can expect rotating live sets, neighborhood bars and restaurants serving from food booths, and fundraising tables for cancer charities, with volunteers and local businesses handling much of the grunt work behind the scenes. The event keeps the energy upbeat rather than somber, a tone organizers say fits McKenna’s wish for a noisy, communal celebration instead of a quiet memorial, as described in earlier local coverage.
Organizers encourage guests to show up early and be ready for street closures, with donations collected throughout the afternoon for area cancer nonprofits and partner groups. For last-minute details on the schedule or any weather-related changes, check local news outlets and community pages before heading over.
