Inagural Glo Monroe Community Day set for Saturday

Miles Minnick, an award-winning Christian hip hop artist, is headlining Saturday’s Glo Monroe Community Day at St. Mary’s Park, 111 W. Elm Ave. Activities will begin at noon.

Glo Monroe is a new event for Monroe and will include a full day of live music, vendors, games and food trucks. Admission is free. People of all ages are welcome. Elm Avenue will be closed for the day.

“We want this event to be one of the best days you’ve had all summer,” Fallon Trujillo, one of the organizers, said. “It started with a concert, but because of who Miles is and what his mission is, Glo bloomed into a full day.”

Other organizers include Devan Rucker and Meghan Hammill.

Live music will begin at 1 p.m. in the park’s bandshell. Minnick, 29, of San Francisco, will perform at 7:30 p.m.

“He is making a name for himself on social media and with his music. His mission is to positively impact his generation,” Trujillo said. “We connected with Miles through his music and stories on Instagram. To have the opportunity to have Miles come to perform for the whole community for free, through the funding of our sponsors, is something we had to do. There hasn't yet been a concert and event quite like this set up for Gen Z, Alphas and Millennials."

Saturday's other musical performers are from Monroe County.

“Expect positive, uplifting, standing-on-your-feet-to-dance music with some songs you might not have heard yet or others that are your favorite from Christian songwriters and composers,” Trujillo said. “The music is for all ages and genre-likes. We will have rock, jazz, kids bop, hip hop, contemporary, R&B."

More than 40 vendors and nonprofits will staff booths from noon to 6 p.m. Among them are 2|42 Community Church, Ken’s Character Portraits, Level Up Training, Alzheimer’s Association, Vin Mod Venue, Discover Duncanson, Groovy Girl Flowers, Mini Mitten Pediatric Therapy, My Fair Maddie, All Heart Althetics, Monroe Public Safety, Black Swamp Ghostbusters and Yaeger's Shoes.

Several food trucks will be onsite.

“We are honored to have them all gathered in one event for you to try at once in the same place,” Trujillo said. “Funky Bones is one of the newest food trucks in town, and we have been hearing so many great things. There is Gino's Pizza serving their delicious pizza and garlic bread; Misty's Plant Based Food serving her famous salads, teas and infused waters; Fresh Start CoffeeHouse serving fresh ice-cold lemonade; Cakes by Stephanie serving their homemade ice cream sandwiches; The Rusty Cup serving up Red Bull infusions, dirty sodas and bubble tea; Monroe Dairy Queen making mini Blizzards; Bakers Pantry & Supply with their tasty freeze-dried candy creations and baked goods; and Meadow Montessori partnered with Frenchtown Roasters to pour iced coffees and lattes. There is also Zero Bar Lounge. They are all the flavor, none of the hangover, coming all the way from Jackson with a non-alcohol mobile bar. It's a musty-try. Zero Bar does not serve minors."

Glo Monroe also will offer a 40-foot obstacle course and 30-foot relays from U.S. Army Relay, cornhole tournaments and an interactive community mural that attendees can paint. The mural was drawn by local artist Presley Bergmooser. A school supply drive also will take place.

Glo Monroe Community Day is sponsored by local businesses, organizations and community members.

“To see the community, local business owners, organizations and the city of Monroe come together and show their support for a first-time event like this is a true testimony of just how many people are wanting something uplifting for the youth to be a part of,” Trujillo said. “We are so thankful for every person who has been involved in some way to help bring Glo Monroe to life."

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The event may become an annual offering.

“We will see,” Trujillo said. “There's been a lot of talk outside our planning team. They are already ready to be a part of Glo next year. If after the event, the community really enjoyed coming, it's most likely we will be planning a return event.”

Music schedule

1 p.m.: I Am Church’s Kids Dancing Team

1:15 p.m.: MHOP Kids Hour with Hannah Loop

2 p.m.: Sonja Chavez

2:30 p.m.: First Presbyterian Youth

3 p.m.: Inspired by Faith

3:30 p.m.: Monroe Puente

4 p.m.: Celestial Blues

5 p.m.: Elevate Church’s Worship Band

5:30 p.m.: Connor Roy

6 p.m.: Maya Joi

7 p.m.: KAB3MUZIC

7:30 p.m.: Miles Minnick

Minnick’s concert is free, but VIP tickets are available for $10. Tickets include gear and a chance to meet the performer. To learn more, visit tinyurl.com/y9wyvetk.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Inagural Glo Monroe Community Day set for Saturday