St. Pete’s marquee event for natural and Black hair, health and beauty is back for 2023. The Natural Experience Expo is preparing its biggest event yet as the celebrated experience marks its 10th anniversary on Sunday, March 19 at the St. Petersburg Coliseum. Doors open at noon, and advance tickets are on sale now at $10 for students and $15 for general admission, while children 6 and under are free. Tickets will be $25 at the door.

Bigger and better than ever, this expo is an event that celebrates Black hair and incorporates resources that promote ways to improve individual’s overall health and wellness. The event is a combination of a gigantic market, an interactive fair, and pop-up classes, panels, and runway shows. The Natural Experience Expo also creates access for things ranging from health screenings to financial literacy as it opens the door for community engagement between business owners and members of the community.

As part of the area’s largest showcase of natural hair, health and beauty, the expo will welcome salons and spas, healthcare professionals, plant-based skincare companies, all natural haircare products, accessories, and much, much more. Festivities also include a hair and fashion show, a mental health panel discussion, and free presentations on the mainstage on topics such as fitness, finance, homeownership/credit, and plant-based eating.

Natural Experience Expo is one of the nation’s premier natural hair events

Last year’s event, despite being scaled down, saw record attendance numbers and drew in more than 100 small businesses from around the country specializing in natural hair products and beauty, as well as so many with an emphasis on personal and physical wellness. This year, The Natural Experience Expo is going even bigger, working in tandem with I Love the Burg favorite Saturday Shoppes to create an absolutely can’t-miss event for naturals and natural hair lovers anywhere.

The expo’s founder, Marcina Pride, is a native of St. Petersburg FL and a graduate of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. Pride has been featured in magazines such as the Weekly Challenger, Power Broker Magazine, and The Tampa Bay Times. She was the recipient of the Master Pioneer Award in 2019 for her dedication and service to the Natural Hair Industry. Pride has been in the hair industry for more than 30 years and desires to show people the importance of good health and selfcare in all aspects of a person’s life.

Find tickets and more information here. The Natural Experience Expo takes place Sunday, March 19 from 12-6 pm at the St. Petersburg Coliseum, 535 4th Avenue North in St. Pete.