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Street
Fairs
Street Fairs
 As
much as New Yorkers complain "it's
the same old stuff, block after
block," they still never fail to
show up en masse at the City's ubiquitous
street fairs. At times, it seems like
everyone who hasn't fled New York for the
weekend is at one.
Some of New York's street
fairs are intimate events of a single
city side street, while others, like the
Columbus Avenue Fair, sprawl 30 blocks
from 66th to 96th Streets. The
information and observations that follow
generally pertain to the larger fairs in
Manhattan.
Except for the Feast of San
Gennaro, which is a week-long food orgy
in Little Italy, New York street fairs
take place on Saturday or Sunday and can
take up to an entire afternoon to
transverse.
Street Value
Sponsored by
neighborhood block associations, these
festivals are actually build-em-up and
tear-em-down flea markets predominated by
irregular socks and underwear, cheapo sun
glasses, jewelry, neck
ties and the like. At
the everything-for-a-dollar booths you
will find off-brand odds 'n ends like
batteries, extension cords, toys, bulbs,
audio cassettes and more.
But NYC street fairs are
more than just schlock-fests. Amid the
sounds of live
bands you can find
merchandise of higher quality. And if you
are good at haggling, you may even walk
away with a bargain. Even if you are not
the haggling type, it is always a good
idea to propose a price less than the
price marked. While some vendors won't
budge, a good number will work with you,
especially if you intend to buy multiple
items.
Women seeking undergarments
can find bras
dangling in the wind from places like
"The Bra Outlet." Here,
shopping for bras means letting the whole
world know your measurements as you sift
through bins prominently marked by size.
Discontinued GAP merchandise
including jeans, sweats, and T-shirts can
be purchased at a discount if you don't
mind severed labels.
In case you just can't watch
enough late-night infomercials, witness
them live as pitchmen demonstrate their
latest "As
Seen on TV"
gizmos and gadgets. See the Majik Mop in
action, along with Blue-Blocker
Sunglasses, Perma-Seal carpet shampoo and
the famed Ginsu Knife. We don't vouch for
these "miracle products," but
we do recommend dropping by to listen to
the scripted schpeils, just for the
entertainment value.
If antiques are your thing,
you won't find too many here, unless
you're a collector of old magazines and
mounted print ads from as far back as the
1930s. Weathered metal signs for Coke,
Pepsi and products from the past are also
for sale. But be wary -- many of them are
simply replicas.
One of the great things
about street fairs is that you will
probably end up buying something fun that
you didn't even know you wanted, or even
existed. Fool your friends and frighten
your parents with a magnetic nose or
belly-button ring. You get all the
attitude without the hole or the pain --
all for about five bucks. Or get a
temporary tattoo painted on your bod.
Your kid will love one, too.
Street Savvy
One common
complaint about street fairs is that you
see the same merchandise again and again.
True, but this might work in your favor.
If you don't see the vest that you like
in your size, for example, walk a few
blocks. Chances are you will come across
another merchant selling the same product
line and, perhaps, for even less.
If you intend to purchase
something bulky or heavy -- like tree
plants, rugs or framed pictures -- don't
buy until you're ready to leave,
otherwise you'll be hauling your purchase
around for the rest of the day.
If you are carrying
around heavy packages all day, you may
want to get some free medical attention
for your feet and back at the booths of
neighborhood podiatrists and chiropractors.
Looking to drum up new business, these
doctors will give you a free consultation
just for stopping by.
Street Fare
All that walking
and shopping is bound to build up your
appetite -- and you won't go hungry at a
fair. Food vendors line every block,
selling sausage
and pepper heroes,
falafels, roasted corn-on-the-cob,
and one of our favorites -- Thai noodles
and skewered chicken in peanut sauce.
Most street fair fare is priced between
two and five dollars, allowing you to
sample many diverse foods.
Funnel
Cakes, which are not
actually cakes (and may not actually be
food), are also a street fair fixture.
These greasy disks of dough, deep fried
in dirty oil and topped with
confectionery sugar taste great, but you
might as well order "a heart attack
to go."
 In
the mood for something different? Try a
pickle on a stick -- the brainchild of
one enterprising merchant. We don't know
why, but eating a pickle like a popsicle
makes for a whole new taste sensation.
Experienced fair-goers have
perfected the art of simultaneously
walking, shopping and eating. In case you
have not reached this level of expertise,
don't chance wearing your food. Take your
paper plate to a side street, find a
quiet stoop, plant your butt and enjoy
your meal.
If you are more interested
in food than shopping, plan to attend the
9th Avenue Food Fest, held every May in
Manhattan's Hell's Kitchen district.
Here, the emphasis is on sampling dishes
from a variety of restaurants who set
up shop on the sidewalk.
Street Wise
- A word about
driving: Don't. Because avenues
are converted into pedestrian
malls, traffic is rerouted to
nearby streets, making driving
and parking more hellish than
usual. Of course, you can always
park your car in a lot -- for a
hefty fee. If you parked your car
on a street where a fair is
scheduled to take place the next
day, remember to move it the
night before, otherwise it will
be towed. Your best bet: either
walk or take the subway.
- If you are going
with a friend, husband or wife,
agree on a place to meet in case
you get separated. It is not
uncommon for her to go peruse
earrings while he wonders off to
check out vintage baseball cards
... and POOF!, you've lost your
mate.
- Bringing small kids?
Bring a stroller. The larger
fairs cover too much ground for
little ones, and with hordes of
pedestrians, kids can easily get
lost in the crowd.
- Wear sensible shoes.
By Mitch Lemus
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