ALEXANDRIA, La. (KALB) - The sound of music, poetry and community spirit filled the Hearne Stage in downtown Alexandria on April 27 as the inaugural Fresh Fest 2025 brought together families, artists and fans for a free, indoor music festival with deep local roots.The event was created by Ken Clear, a New Orleans native with strong ties to the Alexandria area. His goal: to build community through music, culture and shared experiences.“We wanted to unite families and friends and help enhance the culture in th...
ALEXANDRIA, La. (KALB) - The sound of music, poetry and community spirit filled the Hearne Stage in downtown Alexandria on April 27 as the inaugural Fresh Fest 2025 brought together families, artists and fans for a free, indoor music festival with deep local roots.
The event was created by Ken Clear, a New Orleans native with strong ties to the Alexandria area. His goal: to build community through music, culture and shared experiences.
“We wanted to unite families and friends and help enhance the culture in this area. That’s kind of the birth of Fresh Fest,” Clear said.
With free admission and a lineup that included musical performances and spoken word poetry, the event aimed to be as inclusive as it was entertaining. Local artist Tayvieon Graham was among the featured performers.
Clear said he created Fresh Fest as a way to give back to the community and inspire the next generation.
“Music and food bring people together the best,” Clear said. “We wanted to use that model on a smaller scale and build up gradually.”
The headliner for this year’s festival was New Orleans rapper Baby Boy Da Prince, best known for his 2007 Billboard hit “The Way I Live.”
“I’ve been coming to Alexandria for a long time,” he said. “I had just gotten back from Brazil, but when Ken reached out, I said, ‘Yeah man, let’s make it happen.’”
The rapper said it is the energy from the crowd that keeps him performing.
“It’s the people’s reactions—you know what I’m saying? Ain’t nothing like a reaction,” he added.
Baby Boy also spoke about his commitment to making music with a positive message.
“Everybody was doing negative rap, and I said, ‘No, I’m not doing that.’ I’d rather go the Will Smith route. I saw some things growing up that I don’t want others to have to see,” he said.
Ken Clear said he is already thinking about next year and plans to make Fresh Fest an annual tradition.
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