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After a week marked by protest, calm and cheer prevailed at the Rondo Days Parade in St. Paul. The annual event fell on what would've been the 33rd birthday of Philando Castile, who was shot by a police officer earlier this month.

The death of Philando Castile

Thousands gathered peacefully for the parade celebrating the predominantly African American neighborhood that was split in two by Interstate 94 in the mid-1960s.

Despite Castile's death and subsequent protests, the parade looked much like any other year's with the St. Paul Central High School Band, cheerleaders, politicians and, of course, drum lines. 

"It's a nice, nice parade, people are enjoying it and we need some fun because there's so much misery going on, so it's really a nice event for the community," said Rosemary Nevils, 67. Nevils has been coming to the festival since it started in 1982

Several people in and watching the parade paid tribute to Philando Castile, the St. Paul man who was shot and killed by police in Falcon Heights last week. They carried signs calling for criminal charges against the officer who shot Castille and asking for remembrance of other men shot and killed by police in the Twin Cities.

Along with the usual scenes, Philando Castile's memory was a significant presence. 

Castile grew up in the neighborhood, went to Central and had worked at the nearby JJ Hill Montessori School, where artists spent the day installing a mural of him. He was shot and killed by a St. Anthony Police officer last week in Falcon Heights, which contributed to a nationwide series of protests.
 
"I've been knowing him for so long and he's been such a friend," said Broderick Poole went to both Jr. High and high school with Castile. 

"You know it's all about the community and all about uniting and you know to show a tribute to him because he was a good man," Poole added while he marched with a painting showing angel wings behind Castile's back. 

Black Lives Matter St. Paul activists also walked in the parade, holding signs bearing Castile's name, as well as others shot by police.

After the parade Castile's family members handed out cupcakes and sang Happy Birthday.

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A small group of demonstrators continued after the parade to an overpass of I-94, the freeway which split the neighborhood in two in the mid-1960s.

A prayer service preceded the Rondo Days parade

Judy Griesedieck for MPR News

St. Paul Central football players performed flips

Some Rondo parade participants continued to I-94

Demonstrators stand on pedestrian bridge over I-94

Rondo Days brings peace to a week marked by protests

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