Street Fair connects College to community

Janine Parziale Features Editor

The overcast sky threatened rain. Everything appeared dreary and dull.

Then, the winds shifted, and a puff of incense wafted up from Raymond Avenue. Snatches of music and the sound of children laughing drifted up to the metaphorical ear, and perhaps, if one strained the senses, one might decipher the unmistakable sound of a pie splatting on the face of some cheerful Vassar student.

Despite the impending precipitation on Saturday, Oct. 2, the annual Arlington Street Fair managed to stave off the drab atmosphere, transforming everything into festivity, brightness, and fun. Sponsored by the Arlington (BID), Vassar College, Vassar Student Association, and the Poughkeepsie Chamber of Commerce, people came out in droves to check out the myriad of events that occurred between 12 a.m. to 7 p.m. This year drew the largest crowds yet as free parking was available on the side streets and a free shuttle service running to and from all the lots.

“There was a lot more food and a lot more representation from the community. It’s really good to see; it’s much more integrated,” said Dutchess Community College students Eileen Newman.

Indeed, the four main purposes of the Street Fair were accomplished: “to celebrate Arlington and continue to create energy toward revitalization efforts, to welcome Vassar students and parents (back) to Arlington, to raise money and awareness for local causes, and for everyone to have lots of fun in accomplishing the previous three!” (quoted from the Street Fair organizational flyer).

Walking up and down Raymond, many people were handing out flyers, storefronts were open emitting tantalizing sounds and smells, and the entire center of the street was full of tents and booths as vendors, organizations, and performers catered to the community members. Belly dancers performed under one of the tents, followed by a variety of other groups including drum solos and an acoustic mix. Farther up the street was another tent featuring a magic show, a performance by the River Church’s Youth Band, and the music of Vassar’s Christian a capella group “Alive!”.

Vendors displayed artwork, jewelry, clothing, and served food. With eclectic options ranging from pulled pork to sushi, from cotton candy to paella, all the bases were covered. The event was also publicized by the radio station WDST 100.1. They had a van parked at one of the corners handing out freebies and playing music. Vendor and local Poughkeepsie community member, Mary Boshart, said, “It’s just wonderful to come out and see a lot of interesting things with a lot of interesting booths. It’s just a friendly affair.”

Interactive activities also ranged to include acupressure to relieve stress, henna body art, face painting, a pony ride, a 24—foot rock wall, a Scooby Doo themed jumping jamboree, and a mini - track with remote controlled car races. If that wasn’t enough, there was always the Chili Cook - Off and the chance to learn how to juggle with the Barefoot Monkeys. Elisa Kondor, there with her family lives in the Town of Poughkeepsie, “I’ve been coming since it started and seeing the community out and about is the best thing for this place.”

Some activities advocated specific causes as they mixed fun with information. There was petting zoo sponsored by Hunger Action and a Dutchess Community College political science class. The animals included a llama, a calf, some goats, a tortoise, a mother duck with her train of ducklings, and of course some bunny rabbits for the children to cuddle. Out to spread the word about Heifer International, the two colleges united to try to recruit sponsors who would help fight international hunger through financial support as the organization focuses on providing livestock and other material goods to those in need overseas.

The Garden Art Space was also open with free pumpkin painting to brighten up the landscape and a Tree of Thanks and Hope, erected as a place where community members could write on paper “leaves” what they are thankful for in a public statement of unity.

Other booths were more playful in their message. The Eating Disorder Reachout Service (E.D.R.S.) held a “knock-down Barbie” game where anyone was free to express their disgust for the stereotypical images of perfection and realize that one does not need to look like Barbie to be happy. Joe Kim ’07 responded emotionally: “Being able to knock down Barbie made me feel good about who I am as a person.”

Said Strong House President Laureen Cantwell ’05, “This year the Arlington Street Fair was full of roaming bodies despite the chilly and overcast weather. Tables were crowded over by both those tabling and those browsing. There seemed to be a profuse number of organizations offering face painting, free and otherwise, and perhaps that's due to the overflow idea. Kids will always want funny emblematic doodles on their faces and so, if one table's full or too busy at that time, the family can always move on to the next group of tables where there is likely another brush and paint set awaiting their arrival. Does make me think, though, what other ideas there are out there that we can adopt, rather than the humdrum ever-present face painting.

For instance, one organization did dumplings and that seemed to be a great source of revenue, in that the day wound up being chilly—so hot food was desired and appreciated—and it was a novel food for the fair. Not just the hot dogs and chips courtesy of the food cart from good ol' ACDC. There were a number of chili entrants from Vassar as well, though for sure not the number we always hope will enter into the contest. The prizes are always good and I believe they even got the Mayor of Poughkeepsie Nancy Cozean to come for the finale of the chili contest, but had been disappointed at the low number of VC participants as compared to the level of initial interest in the activity.

Overall: the fair was as fairs should be. It had rampant cotton candy and popcorn, more substantial food as well, face painting, balloons, prizes for the kids' games, a petting zoo, contests, and retailers and local business people showing off their wares. Not to mention the mini-market, where there was everything from pumpkins and apples to freshly baked, homemade donuts!”