It’s a chance to join crowds in experiencing live music, food and culture from all around the world, locally.
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The Orange International Street Fair is back to take over the city’s historic plaza this Labor Day weekend. The event will run Friday, Sept. 4, to Sunday, Sept. 6, and organizers expect the festivities will draw more than 300,000 people over the three-day run.
“The event is about community and enticing everyone to come down and have fun,” Orange Plaza Traditions President and CEO Adam Feliz said. The nonprofit also now puts on Orange’s Treats in the Streets Halloween event and the Christmas Market and Tree Lighting.
“And then of course, it’s about just showcasing the area because it’s such a unique area and experience,” Feliz said.
The Orange International Street Fair first launched in 1973 and has since grown to be held annually in Old Towne Orange to celebrate diverse cultures through food, vendors and live performances centering around Plaza Park and spanning outwards on Chapman, Glassell, Olive and Orange streets.
There are 14 international “streets” this year — each inspired by a country or region and manned by local nonprofits — including the new Argentina Street on South Glassell where there will be meat pies and beers and seltzers. There is also a dedicated “Children Street.”
“So last year after the event, the board of directors got together and we wanted to start introducing new elements and new foods,” Feliz said. “Obviously, we’re not getting rid of the favorite ones like the gyros and bratwurst and stuff like that, but we’re trying to get a little bit more back to the flavor of what the event used to be.”
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There will be 46 booths selling diverse foods, alcohol and homemade arts and crafts as well as booths for repping community organizations and local businesses.
“Probably 200 people applied to our wait list this year, which is almost double what we normally have,” Feliz said of the queue to be featured in this year’s street fair.
And of course, for the live music, eight stages will anchor about 50 performances over the fair’s course.
Alcohol service and live entertainment will run until 9:30 p.m. Wristbands required to purchase and consume alcohol within the event area cost $6, with proceeds from food and alcohol sales going to the local nonprofits that help run the fair.
Event admission is free. And street parking in the area and most city parking lots will be made free during the event.
To learn more about the upcoming Orange International Street Fair and its itinerary, visit optevents.org.
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