38th Annual Haight Street Fair 2015

38th Annual Haight Street Fair 2015

By Michael Gianni

     This past Sunday, June 13th, was the 38th Annual Haight Street Fair in San Francisco and my first year attending.  With a reputation as ingrained as the Haight Ashbury district as the center of the hippie and psychedelic movement: my expectations were high for an adventure in individuality. I envisioned people  trying to relive their younger days and a new generation that had adopted the movement as their own.  At days end I was both surprised and perhaps a little let down at what the event had actually become.

     

     I arrived early as part of the Reality Check TV Sacramento Team to be the photographer for the day and was immediately thrust upon a reminder of the large homeless population that frequents the area. After touching base with the rest of the crew and getting a rundown of the days schedule and policies I was set free to find my way through the days festivities. A quick walk down the street revealed an area fairly rundown and relatively untouched by time. Paint worn, steel gates barricading entries to closed businesses, a fair amount of trash scattered among a collection of stores that seemed to have flocked to the area to attend to the needs of the clientele that a name like Haight Ashbury would attract. The fair itself had what you would expect in vendors participating in a street fair. Your fare share of food vendors, clothing, jewelry and local artists lined the streets to capture their portion of the possible profits.

     In the early AM the crowd remained light but by mid-day the masses had worked their way into the area and it was more like moving in a herd of cattle than casually exploring the area. Working my way between the First Stage and the Second Stage at opposite ends quickly became an act of futility so I resolved to stick close to the main stage and catch what it would have to offer. Musical acts of the day offered a little something for everyone. The organizers did a good job of selecting bands that were all enjoyable. There was a steady progression leading up to the main events of the day.  Around 2 PM MCM and the Monster performed and put on quite a show that the entire crowd seemed to enjoy. The days music ended with a collaborative mash up of a who's who of  local 1960's era music legends including Barry "The Fish" Melton and Nick Gravenites. This was probably the closest I came to seeing Haight Ashbury in its previous glory as the people who had once been a part of that scene came forward to dance and relive a time gone past.

   

  All said it was fun if not quite what I expected; as a free event it is hard to complain too much though.  Would I recommend to others? Yes, but with a clause. If you are looking to see a flashback to the 60's this festival is not it. If oddities and street performers are your scope this too is not the place to go, stick to Pier 39. If you want to get away from the main tourist traps and see more of the inner working of San Francisco and hear some good music while enjoying some good food then this festival is well worth the time.