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Sonja Barnes sings with her church choir during Comofest at Lake Como Park on July 3, 2024. (Alberto Silva Fernandez | Fort Worth Report)
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Pat Spence’s roots run deep in Como, the historically Black west Fort Worth neighborhood. She moved to the area from California in 1982 and raised her kids in the neighborhood. Now, her grandkids go to school in Como.

“We all come together as a family. Anytime there’s someone in need we help each other out,” Spence said.

Nestled west of Arlington Heights, the community of about 8,000 has rich history and traditions that tie the community together.

One of the newest traditions, Comofest, was held July 3 at Lake Como Park and was filled with food trucks, vendors, live music and bounce houses.

Francis Juru takes a bite of her shaved ice during Comofest at Lake Como Park on July 3, 2024. (Alberto Silva Fernandez | Fort Worth Report)

Anthony Urdy prepares his food truck, La Flavaz, in advance of Comofest at Lake Como Park on July 3, 2024. (Alberto Silva Fernandez | Fort Worth Report)

Three years after Comofest began, attendees walked around the park with plates of funnel cake, brightly colored snow cones and matching shirts reading “Comofest one community one love!” 

Church choir hymns filled the air as kids ran around with their friends and residents reunited with their old classmates, exchanging greetings and hugs. 

The event also featured increased security, including a Fort Worth police presence, after a 2023 shooting — hours after Comofest wrapped up — claimed the lives of three people and left eight others injured. 

For vendors, the event is meaningful because it is a way to be supported by Black shoppers and inspired by Black entrepreneurs, Shajuana Middlebrooks, the owner of Black Gifted and Amazing, said.

Shajuana Middlebrooks, owner of Black Gifted and Amazing, folds clothes ahead of Comofest in anticipation of customers at Lake Como Park on July 3, 2024. (Alberto Silva Fernandez | Fort Worth Report)

But it’s the relationships and familiar faces that fest attendees enjoy the most.

Marcus Hudson, presiding officer of the neighborhood group LEGACY, said his favorite thing about Comofest is seeing the people and families running around having a good time. LEGACY began hosting Comofest in 2021 in the hope of giving families a safe environment to celebrate July 3, known as Como Day, the celebration of Lake Como’s establishment in 1905. 

Since 1950, the Como Day Parade became an opportunity for the community to celebrate the Fourth of July during the years segregation prevented residents from attending the city’s formal events. The tradition stuck.

Comofest took place on July 3, 2024, at Lake Como Park, where vendors, food trucks, a kids’ playground area and live music came together as the backdrop for a celebration of the Como neighborhood. (Alberto Silva Fernandez | Fort Worth Report)

Many of the attendees’ families put down roots in Como many years ago. The predominantly Black neighborhood was founded as a place for residents to feel comfortable during segregation, Hudson said.

“Our bloodline started the community, so it’s who we are,” Hudson said.

Now, 120 years later, Hudson envisions his community continuing its traditional celebrations for decades to come.

Aria Harris runs Aria Harris runs towards the bounce house during Comofest at Lake Como Park on July 3, 2024. (Alberto Silva Fernandez | Fort Worth Report)

Shoneil Steer plays basketball with his friends during Comofest at Lake Como Park on July 3, 2024. (Alberto Silva Fernandez | Fort Worth Report)

Georgie London is a reporting fellow for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at georgie.london@fortworthreport.org.

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