Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Street Fair Backlash Gaining Momentum
By
John Del Signore
Published Oct 13, 2008
Modified Oct 14, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
John Del Signore
Published Oct 13, 2008
Modified Oct 14, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The Times stepped out on Sunday to gauge public reaction to the ubiquitous street fairs that turn various city blocks into a banal mob scene every damn weekend. Perhaps the best quote comes from awestruck Midwesterner Stephen Pijanowski, who loves street fairs so much he went to two over the weekend, explaining, "We have nothing like this in Chicago." On the other hand, New Yorker Javier Ortiz, on his way to brunch, declared the street fair to be "just in our way."
Last month Mayor Bloomberg trash talked street fairs in a town hall meeting, saying, "We have too many street fairs. Street fairs supposedly help communities by giving a lot of money. I don't think you can ever find a dime that they ever got from them. They're supposed to do unique things. They're all the same." There are 331 street fairs scheduled this year, down from 357 in 2007 and 369 in 2006.
According to the Post, the subject came up when Bloomberg was asked why the Summer Streets closures last August took place on Saturdays and not Sundays. (He explained that street fairs tend to occupy a lot of pavement on Sundays.) But the mayor seems reluctant to take action because he can "only fight so many battles." Also, the city collects 20 percent of vendors' fees for street festivals, which last year came to $1.6 million.
The Center for an Urban Future's 2006 report on street fairs said that the majority of street fairs are produced by three companies—and that it's difficult for smaller businesses/vendors to participate.
Tagged
blocks
bloomberg
city
generic
mayor
street
street fairs
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
High-ranking NYC officials to testify in ex-buildings boss Eric Ulrich's corruption trial
Manhattan prosecutors say Ulrich’s predecessor at the buildings department will testify in the trial against him.
By
David Brand
Published Oct 19, 2026 at 3:47 p.m. ET
Mamdani launches new team to help NYers keep SNAP, Medicaid benefits
Nearly 1 million in the city risk losing benefits as a result of new federal restrictions.
By
Caroline Lewis
News
Mamdani launches new team to help NYers keep SNAP, Medicaid benefits
Nearly 1 million in the city risk losing benefits as a result of new federal restrictions.
By
Caroline Lewis
Riders at 53rd St. station where man was fatally shot say they worry about gun violence
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
These are the NYC neighborhoods that will get free 2-K next fall
By
Karen Yi
Early Addition: Get to know Wanda, the donkey in the Met's 'La Bohème'
By
James Ramsay
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .