Street Fair Schedule

I was walking in midtown recently, and I passed by a street fair that ran down an avenue. I'm wondering when they happen because they seem to pop up randomly (unless I'm not paying proper attention). How can I find out when there will be street fair in my neighborhood?
- Rob

Many of the typical street fairs in New York seem to be managed by one organization, Mardi Gras Productions. They post a handy Street Fair Schedule on their website which lists street fairs by month and gives the location of each street fair. All the street fairs occur during the same time slot, 10 AM to 6 PM. Newyorkmetro.com also has a listing of street fairs by month. Here's an interesting article about the history of NYC street fairs.

Now who's ready for some grilled corn and a giant container of spices?

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By Janine Annett in Miscellaneous on August 11, 2005 1:24 PM

Comments [rss]

C_h_K

The proposed stadium on the West Side died in part because it would cause traffic congestion supposedly on the days when there would be football games. The same neighborhood people who opposed the stadium hold one of the grossest of all street fairs on 9th Ave. every May. Street fairs cause huge congestion so that a bunch of trailers with New Jersey tags can sell bad food. Who is getting the money and who pays for the cops on patrol while the bad food and underwear is being marketed?

Marcus Banks

Indulging in a bit of shameless self-promotion here--Last week I published an article in the Gotham Gazette about New York's street fair scene: http://gothamgazette.com/article/communitydevelopment/20050826/20/1543

Jack

If you hate street fairs you need to look at why they exist. The increase in street fairs is directly connected to the real estate boom in this city. No denying it.

Nowadays with rents up, it's hard for any small business owner to open a storefront that's profitable. Enter the street fair. For a fee and setup costs you get an instant audience for your goods and you can make more sales one day at a street fair than you can at a 'brick and mortar' store in a week.

Max

I freakin hate these street fairs. Here is an idea for a up and coming reporter- look into why one company controls almost all the street fairs- reeks of mafia involvement. Wish we could ban them.

A_B

As someone who doesn't like having backrubs performed by strangers on the street, and isn't interesting in buying pirated mix-CDs or sausage of questionable origin and hygiene, I have to say I hate these street fairs.

Is there any political movement for the elimination of these instant traffic jams? I'd like to sign up.

Drew

I didn't know most of the fairs were managed by one group, but it makes sense. They're all the same. Kind of a waste of time after you've been to one of them.