Wednesday, April 15, 2009

College of the Desert Street Fair

For locals and visitors to our desert, one of the more popular weekly attractions is the College of the Desert Street Fair. It features a broad range of items for sale, from established businesses, individuals or entrepreneurs with nifty gadgets. Cousin Peg was planning to go on Saturday so I asked to tag along. She had clearly been a number of times, and knew to get there before 8 am while it was still empty. After a quick overview of the map, we made our way through the rows and rows of tented vendors, selling their wares. I like open-air markets. The rows of tall, majestic date palm trees soared overhead, framing the street fair against the morning blue sky. I suppose its sort of a high-class swap meet. It's all new merchandise, and all the vendors have their tax licenses clearly posted. Many accept charge cards too, which makes it handy. Several of the vendors recognized cousin Peg, which indicated that either the same ones are there each weekend, or Peg sure does a lot of shopping. Probably both. (Jennifer, you'll have to weigh in on that). There is plenty of food to eat, and things to interest men, women and children alike, To tempt and tantalize you I thought I'd show a few photos to give you an idea of the type of stuff at the street fair:

above: Woven baskets, Oriental rugs & paintings

above: live musicians, harpist and pan flute. Each selling copies of their CDs.

above: Belly Dancer tops, and Bob's Belts

above: fresh produce: fruits, vegetables, and locally grown dates and strawberries too.
above: Garden water fountains and golf carts
above: Textiles (pillows, tablecloths, napkins) and garlic pressers

above: Mirrors, wall hangings and all kinds of original art.
So if you are wondering if there is stuff to do in the Palm Springs area, fear not. Take it from The Palm Springs Savant. The College of the Desert Street Fair is worth the trip. Just remember to go early before its too crowded, or too hot!
-Rick Rockhill

10 comments:

  1. I'm always overwhelmed by the amount of time and effort and hard work it takes to set each of these Booths up.....I guess it must be worth their while, or they wouldn't do it....From what you showed us there certainly is a huge variety of items available....! I hope you foubnd some great stuff, Rick....!

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  2. ah, these things are always fun!

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  3. We have several street fairs around here; they show up in the spring, mostly. I like them, but I am usually working when they are held. I have to be content with flea markets.

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  4. What a wonderful street fair! Even the weather looked luscious!

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  5. That looks like fun. Fresh dates? YUM! I loves me some dates...just like candy!

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  6. We really enjoy these kinds of fairs! This one looks like fun!

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  7. First, I loooove the COD street fair! We go at least once every time we visit. I will say, my mom's (Peg's) personality is one that is friendly, so they must recognize her because of her personality. It probably doesn't hurt that she does go fairly often either. I don't think she has been there as much this year as previous years though.

    In truth, the vendors do seem to be there each weekend and she is talented at shopping AND she is friendly!

    Thanks for the photos & write-up. It makes me wish I was there!

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  8. I think I would like all the pillows and fabric, how fun!

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  9. Ooooh! FUN! :) Seriously, I love those things! I always find the coolest trinkets at places like that. Great post, Rick!

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  10. I've only been once, but I was so angry that I hadn't brought my camera because it was before the election and a booth had a table with a full-size cutout of Barack Obama, and I would have loved to have had my picture taken beside it. But I had wanted a campaign button and I was able to buy that. I'm coming out again soon.

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Thank you kindly.