The Black Owned Business (BOB) Festival returns on Saturday, November 30 from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. at 55 N. Fifth Ave. — the large open lot behind Hotel Congress.
The festival is more than just a gathering — it’s a statement of solidarity and a testament to the determination of Black businesses throughout the state. Hosted by Blax Friday, the goal behind the festival is bringing Black businesses together statewide.
Over the past few years, Blax Friday has become the largest Black business directory and app in the state. Since 2020, Ashley La Russa, founder of Blax Friday, has hosted the Black business market called “Soul Food Wednesdays,” which has grown from five vendors to 50.
The family-friendly event is free to the public — you pay for whatever goodies you’d like to take home.
Vendors will be on-site from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and the live entertainment ends around 10 p.m.
BOB Fest Food Vendors
- Cute & Classy Krispies
- Sweets, Cakes & Treats
- 1220 Bakery
- TT’s Treats
- Brille Mead
- Hot Sauce and Pepper
- Bayou Bistro
- Bereisheet 129 Vegan Plant-Based Cuisine
- CP’s Wings
- My Dawg
- Natty’s World
From art and fashion to food and technology, the festival is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit within the Black community. Learn more about all of the vendors by following BOB Fest on Instagram.
BOB Fest will take place on Saturday, November 30, from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. at 55 N. 5th Ave. For more details on the event, follow Blax Friday on Instagram.
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Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
