‘Brian McKenna Day' brings St. Louis together for moving tribute

Yahoo

3 days ago

ST. LOUIS – One man brought an entire St. Louis neighborhood to a standstill this weekend. A street was shut down, thousands gathered, and a celebration unlike any other unfolded — all in the name of a legacy that touched countless lives.
More than 2,400 people filled Macklind Avenue on Saturday for 'Brian McKenna Day,' a community event honoring the life and impact of former sportscaster Brian McKenna. Lawn chairs lined the block, and music from the '80s and '90s floated through the air as the city came together to remember someone who left behind not just memories, but a mission.
'Brian did stuff all the time! Every day people didn't have any idea that he was doing charitable stuff — something nobody else would really do,' said JC Corcoran, longtime radio co-host and event emcee.
The street party was both joyful and emotional, filled with dancing, laughter, food, and tributes to a man remembered for his quiet generosity and signature smile.
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Brian McKenna was the brother of FOX 2's editor Bill McKenna. Many from the FOX 2 family — including anchors Andy Banker, Ty Hawkins, and Rob Schmitt — joined the crowd in honoring him.
'His life's mission was making the world a better place,' said Lindsay McKenna, Brian's niece. 'Every person he would interact with, he was trying to make their day better… He did so many different kinds of volunteering. He put so much effort into making people have a better life!'
Some of Brian's favorite restaurants and bars sponsored the event, a nod to his love of good food, good company, and giving back. Even children in attendance shared heartfelt memories.
'Brian was a sweet and innocent soul. He was very kind to others,' said young attendee Amelia Naes.
'He was really nice to me,' added Auggie McKenna.
Brian's influence extended far beyond family and friends. Many fans of his radio show came out to show their appreciation.
'He was just very animated. He brought life to every broadcast,' said John L., a longtime supporter. 'Anytime you talked to him about anything, he made you smile.'
'Very good looking, charismatic, wonderful smile — and what I remember most about him is that he projected love into the world. Whoever he met, he was your friend,' added another attendee.
As the sun set over Macklind Avenue, attendees said the celebration felt exactly like Brian himself — warm, full of life, and unforgettable. And while Brian McKenna may be gone, the love he spread continues to ripple through the St. Louis community.
All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KTVI. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KTVI staff before being published.
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