Every second Saturday in September, Rid-All Green Partnership welcomes thousands for the Fresh Fest Cleveland, a health and wellness festival known for featuring unique local vendors and nationally -renowned recording artists.
The festival runs from 1 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13, at Rid-All Farm & Otter Park, 8129 Otter Ave.
Rid-All sits on about 26 acres of repurposed land in the Kinsman neighborhood. It includes a tilapia fish hatchery, a community kitchen and several greenhouses, many of which will be open for the public to tour during Fresh Fest.
Who’s the Fresh Fest Cleveland musical headliner?
The headlining act is always the most anticipated announcement leading up to Fresh Fest. This year’s headliner is rap music pioneer MC Lyte. The lineup also features regional and local artists, including Armand Rashad, Esther Fitz, and Sadhu. (Read more from Sadhu here.)
Brittany Benton of Brittany’s Record Shop in Ohio City and Wallace Settles of the Grog Shop work together as the music selection team to build the musical lineup.
“We like local acts who are actively performing in the city,” said Benton, “working to get their names up. We don’t want it to feel like it’s just like a variety show or a talent show.
“And for the national acts, we all kind of table it, have it all come together,” Benton added. “And then with [Wallace’s] experience as one of the main bookers at Grog, he has access and the reach.”
What else is happening at Fresh Fest this year?
The overarching theme of health, wellness, arts and community is the focal point of Fresh Fest, which is presented by Environmental Health Watch, Rid-All and Brittany’s Record Shop.
Kim Foreman, a founder of the event, said festival goers this year will discover new vendors like the Central Kinsman Farmers Market and Rust-Belt Riders and new activities including yoga in the festival’s Health and Wellness Zone.
“Every detail is designed to ensure that Fresh Fest is more than just an event,” said Foreman, “it’s a space where people feel cared for, celebrated and connected.”
Community radio station WOVU/95.9 FM welcomes visitors at the festival entrance “with all the energy and love WOVU is known for, setting the tone for the day,” said the station’s production and marketing director, Uni Crowder, who will be DJing at the main stage as Black Unicorn. “Our role is to make sure everyone feels that excitement the moment they arrive, reminding them that FreshFest is more than just a festival – it’s a true celebration of Cleveland’s creativity, culture and community.”
“Dr. Emily” Arnold of Cleveland will be selling her “Fire Cider,” a spicy tonic based in organic apple cider vinegar infused with natural anti-inflammatories and anti-oxidants including horseradish, turmeric, honey and ginger. Arnold explained her drink is a folk remedy used throughout the ages to help with an array of health issues such as heartburn, indigestion, elevated blood pressure, inflammation and improved circulation.
“Our formula is crafted with love and intention,” Arnold said, “and it is palatable yet potent. It packs a power punch!”
Daniel Richardson of Dirty Boots Organics, returning for his third year at Fresh Fest, will sell bulk herbs, teas, house plants and his organic drinks – pineapple ginger and lavender lemonade.
Richardson said he got started working with organics tending to his grandmother’s plants.
“She is 100 years old,” he explained, “so she can’t really take care of them like that anymore. So I took over. And I just had a liking for them.”
Created ‘with and for’ the community
“Fresh Fest Cleveland is built by, rooted in, and backed by the very community we serve and that makes us unique,” said Foreman. “In 2024, we welcomed more than 12,000 guests without incident, and we attribute that success not only to the safety measures we put in place, but also to the spirit of community that drives this festival.”
Foreman said the Fresh Fest team partners with professional security and city officials to help maintain the safety of guests.
“Equally important, however, is the culture of care that surrounds Fresh Fest,” said Foreman. “This festival was created with and for the community. People arrive with a sense of pride and ownership that shapes the atmosphere: joyful, welcoming and safe.”
