The organizers and participants of this spring’s ASUO Street Faire want all students to think positive thoughts — “the sun will shine, the sun will shine, the sun will shine.”
The Street Faire kicks off today and runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday. It will feature 80 vendors, selling a variety of products such as jewelry, handmade clothing, posters, knives, drums, candles and bicycles. Food vendors include Ritta’s Burritos, Bangkok Grill, Orient Express, BBQ King, Suzy Q Kettle Corn and several new vendors, such as Papa John’s Pizza.
“We just want the students to have
as much fun as possible,” organizer Hillary Ervin said.
David Goosen, an Indian clothing vendor based in Portland, has been coming to the Street Faire regularly since 1989. Goosen said his booth boasts a variety of sought-after clothing items, including summer dresses, tops, wrap skirts, bed spreads and scarves, and he said he buys most of his products in Central Asia.
“Eugene is a wonderful place,” Goosen said. “The students are nice; Mr. Frohnmayer says ‘hi’ to me when he walks by me. It’s like a second home.”
Salem food vendor Tai Tran, who will run the Victory Oriental Foods booth, also said that the atmosphere and people of Eugene drive him to come back every year.
“It’s a traditional event that I have been coming to for 20 years,” he said, adding he hopes the weather will cooperate with the vendors at Street Faire. “Realistically, I’m thinking thunderstorms — but I’m praying for sun.”
Tran said some of the most popular items at his booth are teriyaki chicken and pan-fried noodles.
The Street Faire will also include entertainment at the EMU Amphitheater, which will be broadcast live by University radio station KWVA. The station is responsible for all live music, and all the bands are volunteering to play for free.
Station Chief Engineer Nathan Cox said KWVA staff members are proud to broadcast straight from the Street Faire.
“We want to be a part of the Street Faire and represent the bands and other acts who will be performing,” Cox said. “Hopefully, it won’t rain.”
Other entertainment includes several performances by the University Hawaii Club hula dancers, who will be promoting their annual luau, held this Saturday.
Event organizers are still looking for volunteers to help set up. Anyone who works more than four hours will receive a T-shirt.