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A look back on the origins of The Tastes and Sounds of Soul

Posted at 9:02 AM, Feb 19, 2021
and last updated 2021-02-19 12:13:34-05

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Tastes and Sounds of Soul started 20 years ago here in Las Vegas before quickly growing into a nationally known event.

Thousands from all over flocked to the Las Vegas valley for soul food and music.

When it was in-person, The Taste and Sounds of Soul could be heard and smelt everywhere.

Vendors like Marios Westside Market is one of the 40 local restaurants serving up its homestyle cooking underneath this tent on Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas.

But, so is California based business All Seasons Barbecue.

Charles and Kimberly Bailey Tureaud are the brains behind this mega festival that started as an annual anniversary celebration for the owner of the Fitzgerald Hotel.

The first Black-owned hotel in downtown, which today is The D hotel-casino.

The Tastes and Sounds of Soul is a multi cultural celebration that Channel 13 became a proud sponsor of from the beginning

20 years later, we are still going strong.

The entertainers volunteer their time on stage along with music and food, and there's also good shopping: vendors come from all over the U.S.

In fact The tastes and Sounds of Soul organizers were on a mission early on to make this a premiere event.

In 2006, the organizers ran into a roadblocks and weren't awarded a contract downtown.

That's until Contact 13 stepped in on behalf of this multi-cultural event.

Another part of the festival on Fremont is the awards ceremony honoring those in our community who are promoting diversity, inclusion and equity in Southern Nevada.

13 Action News is honored that our very own Tricia Kean has received an award in the past for advocating on Channel 13 on behalf of all consumers in our diverse community.

This year there are 8 recipients.

Even though crowds can't gather due to the COVID pandemic, you can bet as soon as it's safe, this multi cultural celebration will be in full force on Fremont Street once again!