ORANGE, Calif.—Thousands descended on Old Town for the city’s annual international street fair Sept. 1 to Sept. 3 for exotic treats from global vendors as well as unique clothing, merchandise, and more for sale.
On hand this year, which marks the fair’s 51st, were 30 food vendors showcasing cuisine on globally themed “streets,” everything from bratwurst on German Street to beef shawarma on Lebanon Street.
As usual, lines wrapped around the corner for Greek Street’s gyros wrapped in flatbread with tangy tzatziki yogurt sauce and fried dough balls soaked in fragrant syrup.
This year, the fair also showcased its newest country “street,” Brazil, which sold blended frozen fruit offerings known as acai bowls, topped with coconut flakes, for example, to help beat the heat.
Crowds perused various booths and many parents brought their young children to enjoy arts and crafts, ice-cold lemonade, and to dance to live music from local performers including Die Sauerkrauts, an eight-person German-style polka band.
Though festivals in previous years had a theme, such as last year’s “The Golden Orange,” or 2019’s “Circle of The World,” this year’s did not for unknown reasons. A request for comment from fair officials was not returned.
The fair also serves as a fundraiser for local schools and nonprofits, most of whom man the booths representing different countries, including the Orange High School baseball and basketball teams, Orange North Rotary Club, Orange Youth Sports, and many others.
Main stage performers included Party Punk, Mango Band, and local rock musician Johnny Ramos.
Mr. Ramos, who has performed his classic rock music at the festival the last five times it has been staged, was joined by his father who played the guitar during some sets.
“There were tons of people this year, I think more than last year,” Mr. Ramos told The Epoch Times. “I [am] especially glad this year because I got to play a couple of my original songs.”
Items for sale included handcrafted sea glass jewelry from Roni’s Treasures, eye-catching shiny accessories from Sparkle Jewelry, and 40 other vendors showcasing their creations.
The fair began in 1973 when the City of Orange was looking to celebrate its 100th year. Inspired by the Orange Street Fair of 1910, it held its first Orange International Street Fair, which was so successful the event became an annual tradition during Labor Day weekend.
