Sat 6/1 @ 11AM-11PM
Sun 6/2 @ 11AM-10PM
Are the ’60s FINALLY dead? They’re saying that this year’s Hessler Street Fair — its 50th anniversary — is the final one.
We’ll see. Meanwhile, for two days, hippies and would-be hippies, along with revelers of all kinds who like their festivals less commercial and more handcrafted, will converge on the short, brick-paved street a half block south of Euclid Avenue on the Case Western Reserve campus. Compared to the shiny, bustling new “Uptown” district a half block away, it’s a world out of time, with food cooked and served by locals whose catering businesses are usually small; tents filled with handmade arts & crafts; tables manned by people from local social justice-oriented and Earth-friendly nonprofits and businesses; a special kids’ area called Harmony Park with a ton of hands-on, interactive things for younger visitors to do; and lots of and lots of music, both on the stage at the end of the street and from strolling street musicians.
That music covers a variety of genres, although there’s not much in the way of typical mainstream rock covers. As is traditional, Jim Miller, formerly with Oroboros and now with the JiMiller Band, closes Saturday’s festival with his jam-style music, with Cleveland reggae favorites Carlos Jones & the P.L.U.S. Band closing Sunday.
On Saturday you can also hear Cats on Holiday’s swamp rock, reggae from the Dave Smeltz Project and Jah Messengers, zydeco from Mo’Mojo and bluesy rock from Becky Boyd & the Groove Train, among others. Sunday’s schedule includes a reunion of electro-Afrobeat band Mifune, beloved veteran folkie Alex Bevan, swing/jump blues ensemble Blue Lunch, and the second-line style music of the Revolution Brass Band. For a full schedule of all 21 bands playing, go here.
And of course, in the best ’60s tradition the festival is free, man.
Cleveland, OH 44106