Street Fair Celebrates Its 25th Anniversary

Founded in 1973 as a one-time event to honor the city’s centennial, the Orange International Street Fair is celebrating its 25th anniversary this weekend.

Situated in the city’s Old Towne, the multicultural fair drew more than 500,000 people last year and organizers said they expect that number to increase this time around.

Booths selling food and crafts will again be staffed by members of nonprofit organizations, which last year earned about $5 million for their groups.

This year, bright flags from countries around the world will decorate the streets, said Paula Bramlett, chairwoman of the fair’s 25th anniversary committee.

“We will be recognizing the 15 cultures that have participated in the fair for all 25 years during opening ceremonies,” Bramlett said.

Large timelines describing the history of the fair, along with T-shirts and pins, will be offered and visitors can have old-time pictures taken at a photo booth, Bramlett said.

Along with the special anniversary activities there will be the usual events: crafts booths, ethnic food and costumes, music and a children’s village in the plaza center that will offer a petting zoo and other games and crafts.

There will be 10 stages to feature music of various cultures.

The fair runs from 5 to 10 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Liquor is sold only until 9 p.m. all days.

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Flavorful Fair

Each of the spokes leading from Orange’s traffic circle will radiate food at the Orange International Street Fair, beginning today through Sunday. In addition to food, 68 crafts booths will surround the circle center. Here’s the layout of what’s where:

Children’s Village, with petting zoo, face painting, games and art

West Chapman Avenue

Oriental

Dutch

Greek

Swiss

East Chapman Avenue

All American

Mexican

South Glassell Street

Italian

American Indian

Ginza

Arab

Irish

North Glassell Street

German

Norwegian

Polynesian

Danish

Source: Orange International Street Fair Committee