16th Annual FIREFEST Hip Hop Block Party

The 16TH Annual FIREFEST August 12th from 12 PM until 9 PM at North Lawndale 2111 S. Hamlin Ave. Presented by The Firehouse Community Arts Center of Chicago, it is the biggest community hip-hop block party on the west side featuring viral sensation LaRussell. Guests will enjoy the free, family-friendly festival’s live graffiti artwork, MC battles, dance battles, food, tournaments, game trucks, bouncy houses, and more. 

The Firehouse Community Arts Center has served as a haven for young people in the Chicago area for over a decade. It has been coordinating various events and art programs dedicated to preventing and interrupting youth and young adults caught in violence. The Firehouse Community Art Center was birthed from youth and young adults in North Lawndale who attended an all-youth and young adult Saturday night Hip-Hop worship service in 2003, started by Pastor Phil Jackson. Youth and young adults came from all over the community and city to engage in the arts. This prompted Pastor Phil and several partners to incorporate The Firehouse Community Art Center as a 501(c)(3) in 2006, and in 2007 they purchased the 100-year-old Chicago Firehouse in North Lawndale. The Firehouse now offers year-round, multi-disciplinary cultural arts programming, mentorship, leadership, and workforce development centered around preventing and interrupting violence.