For four days a year - two days in the spring and two in the fall - the Montrose section of Houston became a lively, colorful place where a neighborhood came to play, to party, and to celebrate its renegade spirit. The Westheimer Street Festival - affectionately known as "West Fest" to its fans - was one of the city's oldest outdoor festivals through the 70's, 80's, 90's and beyond. As the Westheimer Block Party since 2006, the festival continues with new energy, to the present.



In this book, photographer Charles Tatum II turns his lens on the sights of this unique event in all its wildness and whimsy. You'll see reptiles, drag queens, tie-dye tees, and the diverse community of everyday folks that comprise Houston's Inner Loop.



This is a trip like no other. This is West Fest.