Fun for Everyone

Those who come out for the 43rd annual Allen Park Arts and Crafts Street Fair can expect to see more than 200 juried crafters and artists, continuous entertainment, 20 food trucks and a beer tent.

The city’s biggest annual event comes to town for two days and brings 75,000 people to the community.

Vendors at Street Fair will come from across the United States to participate in one of Michigan’s largest fairs. Sponsored by the Allen Park Festivities Commission, fair admission and parking are free from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., August 1-2 at Allen Road between Southfield and Roosevelt roads. The fair will go on rain or shine.

“We’re looking forward to bringing this event to Allen Park,” said Kyle Waligora, festival chairperson. “It’s an annual tradition. The best part of the street fair is to see families and citizens that no matter what’s going on in the world, are excited to see the street fair.”

Entertainment runs both nights. Sunset Blvd., an ‘80s rock tribute band, will perform on Friday, August 1 from 8-11 p.m. On Saturday, August 2, Ozzy Rebourne, an Ozzy Osbourne tribute band, will perform from 9-11 p.m.

Vendors sell everything from candles, ceramics, clothing, knitted crafts, drawings, floral works, glass art, pet items, jewelry, metal creations, paintings, photography, pottery, printmaking, sculptures, and woodwork.

Each vendor is vetted by a jury process conducted by the commission and comprised of a three-person panel with a diverse background and skill set, including working artists and members of the arts community.

All artwork at the fair must be the original, handcrafted work of the displaying artist. Buy/sell vendors are strictly prohibited from participating.

Artwork also won’t be permitted if it is created from non-artist made molds, kits and commercial methods or if they’re produced in volume production.

Last year, Zumbathon, in partnership with Vibe Fit Studio, came to the festival for the first time and due to its popularity will return this year on August 2 from 10-11 a.m. Admission is $10 and tickets are available during the festival.

In addition we will be having the return of the kids zone, located in the former dollar show site.

“There’s something for everybody,” Waligora said. “We’ve been non-stop trying to create something good for our city.”

Vendor booth rentals start at $225, and will be sold until all spaces are taken. Electricity is available. Another way to support the fair is to become a sponsor, beginning at $750.

“There’s various options to fit your budget,” Waligora said.

The fair raises $100,000 annually and all the money raised goes back to helping Allen Park city departments. In the past, fair profits paid for fitted bulletproof vests for police officers and headset radios for firefighters to better communicate with one another while fighting fires. The Department of Parks and Recreation was also gifted city benches and ballpark score boards by the festival commission.

One of the biggest single ticket items was the purchase of a show mobile, providing a portable stage for concerts and city sponsored venues. The Knights of Columbus also runs the beer tent and receives a portion of the proceeds.

“The street fair is to bring people together and to bring people to the city,” Waligora said. “No matter what’s going on in the world, people come out and enjoy the festival.”

For more information about booths, sponsorships or to volunteer go to allenparkstreetfair.com, call (313) 928-1401, message the commission at allenparkstreetfair@gmail.com or go to the Allen Park Street Fair on its Facebook page.

“We’re always looking for volunteers,” Waligora said.