Gateway Arch Park Foundation’s “Journey to Justice” Festival Celebrates the Reopening of the Old Courthouse with the Community on May 3
Hosted in Kiener Plaza across from the Old Courthouse, the Foundation brings you a celebratory lineup of talks with renowned celebrities, live musical performances, local vendors and organizations, and interactive programming.
Gateway Arch Park Foundation will host the “Journey to Justice” Festival on Saturday, May 3, 2025, in celebration of the reopening of the Old Courthouse. The Journey to Justice Festival is free and open-to-the-public and will take place at 11 a.m., directly following the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Old Courthouse, until 3 p.m.
Attendees will be able to freely wander between Gateway Arch Park Foundation’s event and the newly reopened Old Courthouse until the building closes at 5 p.m.
The Journey to Justice Festival features a dynamic lineup of speakers, artists, and performers. St. Louis television host Chelsea Haynes will serve as the festival’s emcee, guiding attendees through an exciting schedule of events on the community stage in Kiener Plaza:
- 11 a.m. – Welcome remarks by Chelsea Haynes
- 11:05 a.m. – Remarks by Ryan McClure, Executive Director of Gateway Arch Park Foundation
- 11:10 a.m. – Live music by DJ Nico Marie
- 11:45 a.m. – “Fountain-side” chat with Lynne Jackson, great-great-granddaughter of Dred and Harriet Scott
- 12:15 p.m. – Live music by DJ Nico Marie
- 12:30 p.m. – Fountain-side chat with Cbabi Bayoc, internationally-recognized visual artist
- 12:50 p.m. – Musical performance by renowned soul artist Brian Owens
- 1:30 p.m. – Fountain-side chat with Jenifer Lewis, award-winning actress and St. Louis native
- 2:30 p.m. – Live music by DJ Nico Marie
“This is a momentous occasion for Gateway Arch National Park, for St. Louis, and for our visitors from all over the world,” said Ryan McClure, executive director of Gateway Arch Park Foundation. “We invite everyone to celebrate the Old Courthouse’s reopening and pay homage to all it represents. This building connects us to the pivotal stories of our past and now, through these renovations and upgrades, will continue to bring our community and nation together for years to come.”
The “Journey to Justice” theme for the festival was designed by distinguished visual artist Cbabi Bayoc through a partnership with Gateway Arch Park Foundation. Known for his vibrant and expressive artwork, depicting images of fatherhood, children, and culture in ways that are empowering and inspirational through lines, bold color, and his signature “pHunQ,” Bayoc created a visual identity that reflects the spirit of the many journeys to justice that have taken place at the Old Courthouse. His designs will be featured prominently throughout the event, bringing the community celebration to life. Bayoc also illustrated a video for the Old Courthouse, which visitors will find playing in the new Dred and Harriet Scott exhibit.
“Our partnership with Gateway Arch Park Foundation for the Old Courthouse reopening was a great surprise, a truly humbling experience, and, ultimately, a very rewarding adventure,” said Bayoc. “As one who is always dipping back into the history of this country and St. Louis, I am honored to have been invited to create branding involving such a meaningful and historic building that saw some of America’s most impactful court cases. Twelve-year-old me would have never believed that I would be granted the honor of narrating history through an artistic lens. I am still in awe!”
At the festival, attendees will enjoy local vendors, food trucks, activity booths, giveaways, and an interactive festival “passport” program, which will offer insights into the Old Courthouse’s significant role in history. These passport stations will provide educational materials, interactive displays, and engaging discussions about the landmark’s impact on the fight for justice and civil rights.
Learn more about the schedule of events and details of the Old Courthouse renovations at archpark.org.
