Strange Folk Festival is back for its 11th year! They will be hosting over 200 makers and artists from 14 states and annual 30,000 attendees in one of Saint Louis’ most gorgeous historic neighborhoods: Lafayette Square. The rich architectural heritage is a perfect backdrop for Strange Folk Festival’s signature installation art. “Belle Epoque,” a new theme twist added this year, is an homage to the wealth of beauty and style that was France in the early 20th century. To aid in creating an temporarily ornate atmosphere, we are utilizing a large-format laser cutter, among other digital fabrication machines, in-house at their workshop on Cherokee St.

Nouveau France will see it’s colony come to life again as the neighborhood is filled with energy and creativity. Walk the streets and shop “Etsy in person” while live music, soundscapes, and mix-tapes fill the air.

They’ve handpicked some of St. Louis’s best local indie pop, folk, and roots bands for everyone to enjoy for free! Saturday’s line up includes Ellen the Felon, Letter to Memphis, Whoa Thunder, and Super Fun Yeah Yeah Rocketship. On Sunday they have Androbeat, The Good Deeds, The Defeated Country, and Cave of Swords.

The entire festival will include themed areas of decoration and interaction under the creative direction of founder, Autumn Wiggins. A corner of Lafayette Park is being converted into a whimsical techie-playground. Start off at Feathertop, a boho camping enclave near the entrance gate to the park, and travel down Myrkwood path where you’ll find lots of surprises, including new Curious Cabinets by Kristin Cassidy.

Other exhibits include a photo booth with live birds as the backdrop and a pop-up museum with period-specific ephemera centering around the inhabitants of a house in Lafayette Square. 3D printer demonstrations by Squirefruit Labs and our crowd-favorite hands-on activities round out the weekend.

Food and drinks will be served by over 20 local restaurants and food trucks. From tasty treats to full meals. They’ll have everything from ice cream, baked goods, BBQ, vegetarian, and even treats for dogs.