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Upper West Side Street Fairs Start This Weekend; See the Full List

April 9, 2018 | 9:57 AM - Updated on January 1, 2022 | 9:45 AM
in NEWS
54

Photo by Ellen Joy.

Like them or not, street fairs are back and will be rocking week after week for months. This Sunday, the first one will be on the East side of Broadway between 96th and 106th street.

Check out the full list of local fairs below, via Community Board 7.

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54 Comments
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dannyboy
dannyboy
7 years ago

No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

that’s my personal opinion

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Minx
Minx
7 years ago
Reply to  dannyboy

I share that opinion. I HATE the fairs. The streets are a mess afterwards.

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Scott
Scott
7 years ago

Nothing on Amsterdam or Columbus north of 86th St? What are they afraid of?

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Rob G.
Rob G.
7 years ago
Reply to  Scott

Some of those blocks north of 86th can still be a little rough. I’m guessing that the organizers are figuring that the vendors would balk.

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dannyboy
dannyboy
7 years ago
Reply to  Rob G.

The avenues above 86 St are not “rough”.

I moved to the UWS from the South Bronx, so I know what “rough” looks like.

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Columbus Amsterdam BID
Columbus Amsterdam BID
7 years ago
Reply to  Scott

Hi! On June 9 there will be a street fair running from 96th to 106th on Columbus. Also- on Sept 16 & 23, Amsterdam Ave will be closed from 106th to 110th for Bloomingdale Family Days (free activities with music).

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Mark Moore
Mark Moore
7 years ago

Who cares if it’s all socks and corn, street fairs are great. Anytime you want to close the street and let thousands of people meander about, I say go for it.

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js
js
7 years ago
Reply to  Mark Moore

Closing the avenues means no access to buses/bus re-routing.
That is a significant problem.
Even more of a problem when subway is shut down for repairs

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UWS_lifer
UWS_lifer
7 years ago
Reply to  Mark Moore

This is the correct answer. Thank You.

Would those of you complaining rather everyone just sit in their apartments watching Netflix and ordering stuff on Amazon? Anything that gets neighbors and the community face to face is a positive in my book. (except when they are complaining about the Museum expansion.:)

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dannyboy
dannyboy
7 years ago
Reply to  UWS_lifer

“Would those of you complaining rather everyone just sit in their apartments watching Netflix and ordering stuff on Amazon?” – UWS_lifer

You gotta’ be kidding, that’s your alternatives!

Get a UWS_life. Get out. Enjoy yourself.

I’m going with other people to the Milling Room. I got plenty of suggestions for you.

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Kenneth
Kenneth
7 years ago

They were more fun when you could walk with a beer. I’m fully stocked up on bonsi trees, tube socks and 5 lb containers of garlic powder.

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dannyboy
dannyboy
7 years ago
Reply to  Kenneth

Considered a stand?

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T
T
7 years ago
Reply to  Kenneth

Pour your beer in a cup. That should vring back some of your fun

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AC
AC
7 years ago
Reply to  Kenneth

At Kenneth, you’re allowed to walk with a beer in a concealed plastic container, so as long you’re not being disruptive. Bottled beer will get you a warning! The 20 is pretty cool when it comes to these festivals. Key is being respectful and not drawing attention to yourself , , , they’ll turn a blind eye! 🙂

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Paul
Paul
7 years ago

How much irregular underwear can a neighborhood use?

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Independent
Independent
7 years ago
Reply to  Paul

Ask the Baker Street Irregulars?

But aren’t we all at least slightly imperfect?

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Robin Rice
Robin Rice
7 years ago

They used to have interesting, independent vendors. Now there’s nothing new or surprising. Same as what’s happening to stores. What a shame!

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Arlene
Arlene
7 years ago

The number of these are ridiculous !!
Nothing more then another,in a long list of inconvenient street closings, creating more hazards on already congested sidewalks. Now throw in what it does to traffic as well as public transportation jams. And let’s not forget how it impacts the obvious already struggling retail businesses that are committed to our neighborhoods and facing enormous rent hikes. This has to be rethought.

We tolerate street closings & traffic nightmares for major events more then any other neighborhoods in the city. Every walk for charity ( a good thing) marathon, parades, seems to involve the UWS .

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Jeff
Jeff
7 years ago
Reply to  Arlene

Hi Arlene:
Many of these booths are run by the local stores, such as the bars and restaurants that set up outside. Retail stores like The Super Runners Shop also put tent outside to sell discounted merchandise. Check them out!

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Sherman
Sherman
7 years ago
Reply to  Arlene

You are making a very silly argument re “struggling retail businesses”.

If anything, these retailers should welcome the additional foot traffic from street fairs.

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Bruce Bernstein
Bruce Bernstein
7 years ago
Reply to  Sherman

Sherman said:

“If anything, these retailers should welcome the additional foot traffic from street fairs.”

Apparently you’ve never been to an UWS street fair. there is no foot traffic to store-based retailers. they are blocked by the line of booths.

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DrMMM
DrMMM
7 years ago
Reply to  Sherman

Amen! And I’m an atheist! 😀

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dannyboy
dannyboy
7 years ago
Reply to  Arlene

Follow the money!

to & from Mort

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Woody
Woody
7 years ago

Street fairs are a great occasion for people to redundantly remark about the useless things they buy at such events. Same reaction year in, year out.

But if Danny hates these community events, then I fully support them.

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dannyboy
dannyboy
7 years ago
Reply to  Woody

Woody, I LOVE Community Events!

sorry to hear you say this is a community event for you

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Bruce Bernstein
Bruce Bernstein
7 years ago
Reply to  dannyboy

dannyboy said:

“sorry to hear you say this is a community event for you”

good point… and it’s sad. he doesn’t know what a “community event” is.

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Paul RL
Paul RL
7 years ago

I loved them 30 years ago and still love them today. Great for the neighborhood and a great way for the whole community to mingle. Bring on the spices, socks, and squeegees!

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Red Raleigh
Red Raleigh
7 years ago

I like all the street fairs but the most enjoyable one for me is the one that has the Japanese street food stalls. Those are great!

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BillyNYC
BillyNYC
7 years ago

The only good fair is the Columbus Avenue Fall Fair on Sunday, September 16th and that’s been getting so so in the past five years. The only reason that the Columbus Avenue Fall Fair is somewhat pretty good it’s because of the beginning of fall season and that brings out a lot of people also everyone is back from their summer vacation homes…but no one buys any more from these vendors, “same O same O” The trouble is with all these street fairs it’s no longer local vendors taking part and it’s the “same vendors” from all the street fairs year after year selling their hotdogs/corn on the cob/ funnel cake/ and the same vendors selling their blankets/plants and junk. Local restaurants and creative street vendors are no longer take part….what a shame.

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Woody Johnson
Woody Johnson
7 years ago
Reply to  BillyNYC

“same O same O”

Isn’t it when it’s “NO O!, NO O!” that you really have to start worrying…

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arlene
arlene
7 years ago

everywhere, every weekend and ending right before the yearly rituals of street closings and congestion connected with halloween, marathon and thanksgiving- all great traditions but they do impose an enormous amount of inconvenience for weeks in advance of events due to security concerns.

Too many of these fairs that duplicate each other. Not interesting anymore, just more headaches for residents of UWS.

What about the retail businesses who are committed to UWS and are struggling to pay their rents

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Sean
Sean
7 years ago

Why?

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Reply
dannyboy
dannyboy
7 years ago
Reply to  Sean

see my “follow the money” comment above

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Reply
UWS_lifer
UWS_lifer
7 years ago
Reply to  dannyboy

Dannyboy, you do realize that this is a comment thread, right? You are not having a personal discussion with every single person here.

What a character you are.

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Reply
dannyboy
dannyboy
7 years ago
Reply to  UWS_lifer

Well we all can’t be like you:

Why anyone would devote this level of energy or emotion to trying to recruit a store is beyond me. Geez.

Reply
UWS_lifer says:
April 6, 2018 at 9:50 am
People who think the world revolves around them.
============================================
UWS_lifer says:
March 26, 2018 at 3:11 pm
I agree with Dannyboy. Leave the burned out car there as long as possible. Maybe we can regain that 1970’s South Bronx vibe here on the UWS. I hear they don’t even let people sell drugs (or worse!) in Needle Park anymore.

These darn rich people really are ruining the city, right?
========================================
UWS_lifer says:
March 15, 2018 at 10:08 am
Well, I saw a werewolf drinking a pina colada at Trader Vick’s…and his hair was perfect!
—————————————

YOU KNOW, NASTY & SNARKY.

Hope your day improves.
And your attitude.
I guess your life too.

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Daniel Marks Cohen
Daniel Marks Cohen
7 years ago

HEY! You forgot Valley Restoration’s spring street fair on Saturday, June 9th from 96th to 106th on Columbus Avenue!

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bibiana M Ammatuna
bibiana M Ammatuna
7 years ago

How do you become a vendor?

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Reply
Sam Tresler
Sam Tresler
7 years ago

Do you know who to contact to get a table at one?

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Reply
Juan
Juan
7 years ago

My platform when I run for mayor is to eliminate street fairs and parades (with a carve out for the Thanksgiving parade). And I will institute a tax on any building owner who has retail space stay empty for more than a year. Who’s with me?

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Independent
Independent
7 years ago
Reply to  Juan

@ Juan:

Would you really eliminate all parades other than the Thanksgiving one? No exceptions for any sacralized entity that enjoys designated, privileged victim status?

Now that would be beautiful. Just beautiful.

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dannyboy
dannyboy
7 years ago
Reply to  Juan

me

but i think that we’re gonna’ find out that politics is brutal.

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manhattan mark
manhattan mark
7 years ago

There’s only one street fair, all 12 are exactly the same, enjoy!

0
Reply
dannyboy
dannyboy
7 years ago
Reply to  manhattan mark

Vote for Juan!

(see Thread #17)

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dannyboy
dannyboy
7 years ago
Reply to  manhattan mark

fav

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Marcia Epstein
Marcia Epstein
7 years ago

I happen to like them.

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Reply
Jean Luke
Jean Luke
7 years ago

Street Fairs originally seemed like a good idea when they had local stores, local vendors and crafts people. For years now it seems the vendors are mostly Tube Socks, Cheap Sunglasses, Sausage and Pepper stands, Fruit Stands and other professional street fair vendors that have no relation to the local community.

They really need to shut these downs as they aren’t worth the traffic, noise and garbage they bring to neighborhoods.

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dannyboy
dannyboy
7 years ago
Reply to  Jean Luke

Remember to vote for Juan (#17 above)

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Chase
Chase
7 years ago

crap city but nice to walk in the street

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Reply
Woody Johnson
Woody Johnson
7 years ago
Reply to  Chase

“crap city but nice to walk in the street”

I’m having trouble reconciling the second part of your sentence with the first. Or do you ENJOY having to watch your every step lest you walk into…

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Reply
Francesca
Francesca
7 years ago

Less is more.
Fewer would be better.
Redundant is boring.
Innovation would be welcome.

0
Reply
Richard
Richard
7 years ago

I hate them. They hold up traffic, make buses even slower (not easy to do) and there are way too many. Plus there’s something phony about them; I don’t feel we’re seeing local businesses and food places, but rather professional street fair trash shipped in from Queens. Can’t put my finger on it, but I feel like someone must have some sort of sweetheart deal with someone that allows so many of these trashy events to happen. Someone’s makin’ a nice buck on this, and it ain’t the merchants. Or maybe I’m wrong.

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Reply
dannyboy
dannyboy
7 years ago
Reply to  Richard

“Can’t put my finger on it, but I feel like someone must have some sort of sweetheart deal with someone that allows so many of these trashy events to happen.”

https://www.mortandray.com

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ron shapley
ron shapley
7 years ago

tube sox for miles……..Please God, NO

0
Reply
Cali
Cali
7 years ago

Thank you for this. I am in the city part time so good to know what’sup

0
Reply

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