ST. LOUIS - Artists and the organizer call it a successful four-day run for Paint Louis.

“I’m sure the tourism was great and generated money in hotels and food and gas and taxes,” said John Harrington, Paint Louis Organizer. “I’m pretty sure it did well for the city.”

An estimated 35,000 people attended Paint Louis over the Labor Day weekend. Some artists began spray painting on Thursday, and some were still working Monday afternoon on Labor Day.

The event claims to be the world’s largest graffiti festival.

“Just spending the day checking out the art here at the graffiti,” said Gabriale Millender. “Just looking around, it’s really nice out here.”

The event claims to be the world’s largest graffiti festival.

“I appreciate the peace down here with Heaven and Hell,” said J.D. Davis with his Aunt Beverly Mann.  “It’s kind of an analogy for life, you know; every day we’ve got to fight our inner battles and keep going.” 

Paint Louis organizers say they’ll make another painting pass near downtown and assess their efforts for next year’s graffiti festival.

“I don’t even know if this happened during Paint Louis,” says Harrington, painting over spray paint at a nearby closed gas station. “But we’re trying to beautify and make it better than we left it. So, we’re going up and down Broadway and Choteau and Soulard and trying to do any cover-ups that will help beautify the neighborhood.”