The Fair Oaks Street Fair

Few things excite and thrill me like going to the annual Fair Oaks Street Fair. I have a few of the t-shirts and one of them is the 20th annual. From what I was told Saturday it began in 1975. Both sides of Fair Oaks are loaded with bargains and vendors. I've seen a dunking booth. The architecture and flowers are breathtakingly beautiful and I revel in the vibe each year. I missed it two years ago while we cruised to Alaska. I park around 26th Street and head up the sunny west side of Fair Oaks which took me three hours Saturday so I spent another two hours coming back on the east side. I reward myself with my lunch at the top of the hill and keep walking while I eat. Often the family where I used to live in 1965 with my roommate is selling too and I've been allowed in their charming Queen Anne home to see how they've refurbished it. I shop for my husband's Father's Day gift with the exception of this year. I've brought my daughter, she's brought her husband, my friend Kathy, she's brought her boyfriend, my daughter-in-law, she's brought her friend, but mostly I like shopping there alone. I can spend as much time in a "hot spot" of bargains as I like and move on to my own desire. I looked forward to the cut, ripe mango this year but there weren't any. I didn't eat carrot cake this year either. I used to visit Con a couple times nearby after my shopping but they've moved to Sacramento. I get such pleasure in exhausting myself in the walk and beauty of this annual fair. Apparently Saturday was the 35th annual, started as a way to help neighborhood wayward youth so each participating family pays $20 to the fund. Thank you Fair Oaks Street residents! I love it year after wonderful year. This was on Craigslist in 2007: Fair Oaks Street Fair Celebrates 32 Years on Saturday May 12. The 32nd annual Fair Oaks Neighbors Street Fair will take place on Saturday, May 12, 2007. Neighbors from more than 100 homes will sell "junque," treasures, barbeque and baked goods along the five blocks of Fair Oaks Street. Enjoy food, music and fun for the whole family - and buy a gift for mom! Fair Oaks Street runs parallel between Dolores and Guerrero in San Francisco's sunny Mission district (from 21st to 26th streets). This year's street fair will take place on May 12, 2007 - as always, the Saturday before Mother's Day - from 9 am until 4 pm. May 19 is the rain date. All proceeds benefit Jamestown Community Center, a nonprofit organization benefiting Mission youth at 3382 26th Street. Since 1971, Jamestown has provided neighborhood youngsters with educational enrichment, tutoring, sports, leadership training, employment, and emotional support, as well as activities for parents. Last year, the program served more than 500 youth ages eight to 18.

(2009 Flickr entry) Once again the fine residents of Fair Oaks Street open up their garages and heap their valuables upon the sidewalks. It’s been going on for more than 30 years, but if you haven’t been yet all you need to know is that the whole street from 21st to 26th becomes a neighborhood flea market. You can find collectibles (old Army medals, old comic books), personal items (old yearbooks, old clothes), household stuff (old glassware, old kitchen appliances), and new stuff. Also! Cute little kids will probably be selling baked goods, families will probably be selling tamales and bros will probably be selling sausages. It’s fun, grab a friend and check it out.