Oakland, California – The future of the long-running Oakland First Fridays street festival is in jeopardy, as organizers report a significant withdrawal of sponsors due to persistent safety concerns and negative publicity. The event, a monthly celebration of art, culture, and community, has been a staple in the KONO district for 13 years, drawing up to 30,000 attendees.
The precarious situation was highlighted by a recent tweet from Sam Singer, who questioned, > "Is Oakland 'First Fridays' collapsing because it's dangerous and sponsors don't want to be associated with mayhem, injury, violence and death? (Yes)."
Venessa McGhee, director of the nonprofit KONO Community Benefit District which operates the festival, confirmed that several sponsors have pulled their support. McGhee attributes this to the event being unfairly linked to violent incidents that often occur hours after the festival concludes and outside its designated boundaries. "We can’t have fingers pointed at our event," McGhee stated, emphasizing the small team's dedication.
Oakland Police Chief James Beere has publicly clarified the timeline of recent incidents, noting that a mass shooting in March and a car crash in early May, both resulting in injuries and fatalities, happened several hours and multiple blocks away from the First Fridays event. Despite these clarifications, the perception of danger continues to impact the festival's financial viability.
The potential cessation of First Fridays has sparked alarm among local merchants, who rely heavily on the event for increased business. Pierre Slack, owner of Black Forest Kitchen on 25th Street, noted that the festival can boost his business by up to 50 percent, fearing a permanent negative impact on his livelihood if the event ends.
In response to the broader safety concerns in the city, the City Administrator’s office has implemented public safety enhancements, including additional police patrols, stricter parking enforcement, and crackdowns on illegal vending. Organizers are actively seeking funds to ensure the festival's continuation, emphasizing its role in activating streets with positivity.
