This Saturday, Feb. 28, downtown Baton Rouge will hum with the sound of its own area code as the annual 225 Fest unfolds from noon to 6 p.m. at Rhorer Plaza. The free festival has become one of the Capital Region’s most anticipated cultural gatherings, celebrating music, food, art and community resources across the parish.
Founded in 2022 by Baton Rouge native Myra N. Richardson, the event grew out of the #225Day tradition — social media posts on Feb. 25 celebrating the quirks and characters of the area code — and soon found a physical home. Richardson said her aim was simple: give locals a day to take pride in where they’re from and why it matters.
The first festival, held Feb. 25, 2023, drew about 14,000 people to downtown’s streets, where vendors, performers and artists filled 4th Street with local flavor. A year later, attendance nearly doubled, with organizers estimating around 30,000 participants and more than 100 food trucks, local vendors and multiple stages bringing the celebration to life…