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Taste of Soul takes over Crenshaw Oct. 17. What to know about the free festival
Musicians perform on the Bakewell Media Stage.
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Valerie Goodloe
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Los Angeles Sentinel
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Once a year Crenshaw Boulevard comes alive with music, food and celebration at the Taste of Soul Family Festival. What organizers bill as Southern California’s “largest free street festival,” now in its 21st year, takes over nearly three miles between Obama Boulevard and Stocker Street on Saturday, Oct.17.
Come on in, it’s free
Crowds fill Crenshaw Boulevard at Taste of Soul.
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E. Mesiyah McGinnis
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Los Angeles Sentinel
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And “free” is the operative word.
“At Coachella, it's $500 a ticket. At Taste of Soul, you come free,” said Pamela Bakewell with Bakewell Media, the festival's organizer.
Danny J. Bakewell Sr. — chairman of the organization and Pamela’s brother — pitched the festival to then-L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
“He went to him and said, ‘Look, if they can do these things in New Orleans, then why can't we do it in Los Angeles?’”
Sponsored message
Tiffany Haddish with Danny J. Bakewell Sr. at Taste of Soul 2025.
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Ian Foxx
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Los Angeles Sentinel
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That first festival in 2005 drew about 25,000 people, according to organizers. Now, some 350,000 people attend every year.
A world of vendors
Organizers say the festival has become an economic boost for small businesses in Southern California, featuring over 100 food vendors of serving a variety of cuisines.
A food vendor cooks at Taste of Soul 2018.
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Trarell Torrence
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Los Angeles Sentinel
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“It's the biggest event that I do all year,” said Brian McMillan, owner of The Kobbler King in South L.A. “People place orders after the event. They taste the cobbler; it sets us up for Thanksgiving.”
McMillan has been a vendor at Taste of Soul for 20 years.
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Montell Jordan performs on the KJLH Music Stage at Taste of Soul 2025.
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Malcolm Ali
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Los Angeles Sentinel
)
“You got food from all over. I have a friend from East Africa; his food is some of the best food I've ever had, and it's extremely healthy,” McMillan said.
And plenty more to see
Visitors and staff at the Watts Healthcare tent during Taste of Soul 2025.
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Ian Foxx
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Los Angeles Sentinel
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McMillan said he relishes seeing different generations of neighbors and customers come by to say hello and get some cobbler.
“It's like a family reunion, and I think that's very important because you don't see that with too many festivals at all.”
Taste of Soul Family Festival
- When: Saturday, Oct. 17 from 10 to 7 p.m.
- Cost: Free
- Where: Crenshaw Boulevard between Obama Boulevard and Stocker Street
Highlights:
- The event kicks off at 10 a.m. with a parade featuring marching bands from Dorsey and Crenshaw high schools and a drill team from a local church.
- Live performances from gospel to soul and featuring musicians curated by Inglewood radio station KJLH
- Free health services and screenings including for blood pressure, mammograms and dental and eye exams.
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