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Friday, August 31, 2012 By Logan McCormack
The iconic signs decorating Glassell St. - Daytrippen
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I've lived in Old Town Orange for my entire life, and the Orange International Street Fair has always been a part of living there. Since I was young, My family would walk down the idyllic suburban streets of our neighborhood to browse the fair during the morning and afternoon. We would brave the sweltering heat of midday to purchase delicious cold lemonade or various international treats.
As I grew older we began to stay later into the day, and often into nightfall. This is when I began to notice the strange behavior of the locale, carrying beer filled plastic cups, tottering dangerously in their hands. Their compromised behavior included shoving, cursing, sweating, shouting, and to my utmost entertainment, falling.
I began to realize why most families retreated back to their suburban havens of sobriety. The environment of the fair changes dynamically with the absence of sunlight, and can either become interesting, or uncomfortable for these families. The less faint of heart, my family included, would often stay past nightfall to listen to the awesome bands and musicians playing on Irish Street.
In my less self-conscious years, I would often take back to my Irish roots and dance endlessly to the Fenians in front of all that would find me entertaining enough to watch. Nowadays, I still enjoy the live concerts on Irish street, where American Wake has replaced the Fenians as the premier Irish band.
High School students in our area flock to the Street Fair every year, often times because they can also drink excessively without notice in the large crowds. It has become an attraction for alcohol consumption, but also has kept its roots in family entertainment and great food above all else.
The Street Fair will always be a a great place for families to have fun, eat amazing food, browse local artists, and other interests. Just remember, once the sun goes down, party at your own risk
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