FARGO - An extended food court is one change 2011 Downtown Street Fairgoers can expect to see starting Thursday at North Dakota's largest free outdoor event.
The 36th annual event running Thursday through Saturday on Broadway will extend its food court from Second Avenue North and Broadway into the U.S. Bank parking lot off Broadway. The lot will be filled with vendors selling a variety of items, from cheesecake on a stick to crab fritters.
Drawing around 150,000 to 160,000 fairgoers on average, the Downtown Community Partnership, which organizes the event, is hoping to have a comparable, if not better turnout, this year.
"The last couple years, we've had record attendance because of fabulous weather," Stephanie Holland, Street Fair event coordinator for the DCP said. "Last year's Saturday (event) saw record attendance."
This year, 278 vendors will showcase a wide variety of items from food and music to arts and crafts, a 50-spot increase from 2010's 238 vendors. Last year alone, the DCP received around 570 vendor applications for a spot at the fair.
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Due to the increase of vendors applying, the DCP will extend space on Third Avenue North for artists and crafters, Holland said.
Additionally, the fair will add live entertainment and a car show to this year's lineup.
The draw of varying goods and services the vendors provide has helped with the event's outside appeal, Holland said.
"We have had a real in-crease in people coming from out of town and down from Canada, like Winnipeg," she said.
Holland believes the variety of vendors providing activities and items for all ages and interests to enjoy contributes to the event's popularity.
"There is something for everyone," she said. "There are always talented artists and musicians, and it's free. We have a really strong art and music base in the area, and there's a lot of support in town."
If you go
- What: 36th Annual Downtown Fargo Street Fair
- When: Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Where: Downtown Fargo
- Info: Event is free.
- Online: http://goo.gl/nuIc3
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Suggested parking
- Island Park Ramp: Entrance at First Avenue South between Broadway and Fourth Street.
- Civic Center Lot: 200 3rd St. N.
Events
The Listening Room Outdoor Stage: The outdoor stage will feature local and national musicians from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. Thursday in the U.S. Bank Plaza seating area. A list of musicians performing can be found at http://goo.gl/qxFfP .
At the Pepsi Stage (Second Avenue North and Broadway): The Music Theatre Fargo-Moorhead will be performing excerpts of its upcoming production of "Chicago the Musical" at 11 a.m. Thursday and Friday.
Other acts will include: The Amazing Budabi Brothers, Rings! Pins! Knives! Fire! Comedy! Juggling Act; and Noah Curfman - Man of Skilled Toys (yo-yo and juggling act).
Northstar Mustangs Car Show: Island Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday with live music by the Front Fenders.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Emma Murray at (701) 241-5480
