Westheimer Street Festival Dead at 31
by Uhuru Africa Sunday, Nov. 14, 2004 at 4:18 PM
TheEmissary@simhouston.com 713-305-3605

After 31 years, a Montrose-area tradition known to Houstonians has ceased to exist.

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During the final Westheimer Street Festival this past October, several banners posted on light poles and across Blockbuster in the Montrose would notice the following where the promoters have decided to discontinue future WestFests on Westheimer.

In June 2003, plans to hold the festival during Gay Pride Weekend was deemed a litmus test; however, it seemed that the former glory of the original Westheimer Street Festival could not be resuscitated.

As of this writing, the 524 Westheimer location has been abandoned; the phone # to the festival headquarters has been disconnected. Only a few would know that the festival promoter usually commutes between H-Town and San Antonio; since the last few WestFests did not generate the revenues needed to hold another one for 2005, the decision to disband the festival was announced back in March 2004.

Since the move to Allen Parkway in 2000, a financial hit has occured; no one has rented vendor booths, and a decline has occured.

Much like the relocation of the Houston International Festival to Reliant Park; there is no place like home.

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