Healthy crowds sprout up for Collard Greens Festival

One of the area’s tastiest cultural events returned to the grounds of the Carter G. Woodson African American Museum in St. Petersburg on Saturday to celebrate the bright green leafy vegetable at the annual Collard Greens Festival.

The festival, which started in 2018, is also a charity focused on the health of the crowd that attended the huge block party. The day included a collard green cook-off, live music, a local market, games and cooking demonstrations. There were also talks about health, wellness and Black culture from special guest, two-time James Beard Award winner Adrian E. Miller, author of three books on history and soul food.

Jeremy Robinson of St. Petersburg, tends to the smoker where ribs are cooking during the Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival, Saturday, February 17, 2024 in St. Petersburg. [ MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times ]Beads for sale, part of dozens of vendors available during the Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival, Saturday, February 17, 2024 in St. Petersburg. [ MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times ]A young boy enjoys a snow cone while dancing during the Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival, Saturday, February 17, 2024 in St. Petersburg. [ MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times ]People do the Wobble dance during the Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival, Saturday, February 17, 2024 in St. Petersburg. [ MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times ]A pair of boys team up to take a photo during the Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival, Saturday, February 17, 2024 in St. Petersburg. [ MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times ]People shop from vendors during the Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival, Saturday, February 17, 2024 in St. Petersburg. [ MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times ]People browse the greens and other produce during the Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival, Saturday, February 17, 2024 in St. Petersburg. [ MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times ]People enjoy collard greens, available vegan or with meat, during the Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival, Saturday, February 17, 2024 in St. Petersburg. [ MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times ]Planning your weekend?

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Explore all your optionsJim Bryant, 79, of New Port Richey, dances with his walker during the Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival, Saturday, February 17, 2024 in St. Petersburg. [ MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times ]The Bay Area Drum Academy performs during the Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival, Saturday, February 17, 2024 in St. Petersburg. [ MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times ]Alberta Williams, 84, of St. Petersburg, enjoys music and dancing from her chair during the Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival, Saturday, February 17, 2024 in St. Petersburg. [ MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times ]The Bay Area Drum Academy performs during the Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival, Saturday, February 17, 2024 in St. Petersburg. [ MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times ]People attend the Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival, Saturday, February 17, 2024 in St. Petersburg. [ MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times ]The Bay Area Drum Academy performs during the Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival, Saturday, February 17, 2024 in St. Petersburg. [ MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times ]A plate of food at Marlon’s Ribs is pictured during the Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival, Saturday, February 17, 2024 in St. Petersburg. [ MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times ]People attend the Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival, Saturday, February 17, 2024 in St. Petersburg. [ MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times ]People attend the Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival, Saturday, February 17, 2024 in St. Petersburg. [ MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times ]People attend the Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival, Saturday, February 17, 2024 in St. Petersburg. [ MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times ]