Sun 10/9 @ 2-5PM
The beloved Hessler Street Fair, which started in 1969 and continued through 2018 with a hiatus from 1984-1985, was a blast from the past. Held on this brick-lined street that remains as one of the few vestiges of University Circle’s past, the fair itself was another: redolent of the hippie vibes that prevailed in 1969, with lots of tie-dye, incense, radical politics, hand-woven purses, street musicians and girls in long dresses handing out flowers.
Unfortunately, times have changed a lot: development on Hessler took away an old garage that served as a historical gallery for the festival, new apartments have been built around the old houses with their big porches that invited jam sessions, and the surrounding area has been built up.
Still, a group of local organizations including the Northeast Ohio Musical Heritage Association, Folknet, Roots of American Music, Raccoon County Music Festival and the Hessler Neighborhood Assn are trying to recapture some of that vibe on a smaller and more intimate scale (kind of the original intention) — with Folk on Hessler.
Singer/songwriter Kari Rutushin (pictured) and her Quartet, old-time string band the Oak Island Skunk Jumpers and acoustic guitarist Warren Bendler will perform, followed by porch jams. Bring your instruments, chairs and a picnic. And wear tie-dye if you’ve still got any. For more information, go to neomha.org.