Por Ashley Mackin | Editor SDUN

The Adams Avenue Street Fair rocked Normal Heights with performers, vendors and carnival style rides. With the goal of raising money and awareness for local businesses, the Street Fair brought in thousands of people during this year’s run, Sept. 24-25.

The music scene at the Street Fair has evolved since its inception in 1982. In its first year, the headlining band was a group of San Diego Police Officers, who performed as community outreach.

This year, over 60 bands performed on six stages, including: The Beat Farmers, El Vez, Cedric Burnside Project, Davie Allan & The Arrows, El Chicano, Dengue Fever and Arthur Adams.

“I couldn’t turn this down,” said Davie Allan of Davie Allan & The Arrows, “I knew it would be a nice venue.” Adding that the crowd was “small but mighty,” Allan said he prefers playing events like this than venues in Los Angeles, and he would absolutely come to next year’s Fair if asked.

In addition to Allan, the Beat Farmers drew a crowd of loyal followers. We came here for the Beat Farmers,” said San Diego resident Jeff Lein, “they have been out of circulation for 15-20 years.”

The crowds and the food have kept City Heights resident Beverly Powers coming back to the Street Fair for 20 years. “I’ve been coming since I was a little girl and now I love to bring kids out, like my neighbor’s kids and my godson,” she said, “I love it, I come here every year. There is just so much to see.”

The Adams Avenue Business Association (AABA)-sponsored event hosted three beer gardens and over 300 food, art and craft vendors.

Local businesses had the opportunity to showcase their products and gain exposure.

“[The Street Fair] helps get us out into the public and makes a bridge for the cultural, unique, one-of-a-kind finds in our community,” said Lady Bugs Naturals owner Yazmin Trujillo, “The Fair is incredible, it’s a unique free space for local talent in music, food and art… I’m a fan.”

Julia Beauchamp of Pilgrimage of the Heart yoga studio said it’s a great way to get members in the door. Beauchamp hosted yoga demonstrations at the Fair.

While the Fair offers local businesses the chance to market their products, AABA Executive Director Judy Elliot said there are additional ways the association earns funds for local businesses and projects. “The way we raise money for the businesses is through vendor sales and beer sales,” she said, adding, “about half of our vendors are repeats and have been coming back for over ten years.”

She also mentioned this year’s event seemed to be the largest one to date, though the AABA does not have an exact count of how many people attended. Elliot said, “Seeing people walking up and down the avenue talking to the vendors, listening to the music or sitting and having a beer is the most gratifying thing.”