Poster drawn by local Tucson artist Courtney Kelly. Has it really been 45 years of this festive street fair?
I hear that the Sun Link modern streetcar will simply operate from both ends to the 4th Avenue Streetfair during the fair’s hours, and go back & forth to their east/west stations. People seeking to go through to the other end will need to walk or catch a shuttle bus to other end of the street fair (between University Blvd. to E. 9th Street). See map below.
The next Street Fair is December 12, 13, 14, 2014. Hours are 10 am to 6pm (dusk) each day. The Street Fair takes place between Ninth Street and University Blvd. along Fourth Avenue. The Fourth Avenue Street Fair brings together 400+ arts and crafts booths, 35+ food vendors,Main Stage, street musicians, food, jugglers, street performers, the ever so popular Free Kids hands-on-art Pavilion. There is face painting, balloons, demonstrations, sidewalk entertainment and tons of other fun activities. This is Tucson’s Largest Arts Venue. A Tucson Tradition.
More info (and map) at www.fourthavenue.org.
Here’s the Sun Link map for the shuttle route during the 3 day street fair.
Yow, what a steady rain. Drove by the 4th Avenue street fair — saw quite a few intrepid shoppers braving the elements to visit this fest today. Hopefully the weather will be fine tomorrow, 10 to 6 p.m.
I liked going right after the rain. Crowds had dispersed and I could get in and buy stuff. Too bad a lot of the vendors were closed.
My impression: go if you’re in or near Tucson, but don’t make a huge trip of it. If I’m still up north next time, I’ll probably just go to the Tempe Festival of the Arts again.
Biked 2 miles to the street fair (for the first time), then walked the rest of it. Saw the Sun Tran shuttle bus taking people around the fair, from the Sun Link end stops. Also noticed lots of “ugly Xmas sweaters” in the Tucson Thrift Shop booth and store. Hope the weather holds for tomorrow though rain is predicted. Hoards of people there today as usual, with this pleasant weather.
I have been to all of the big arts and crafts fairs in Arizona. This one is a mix, some of the art is upscale, some of it is funky, and some of it is what we call “buy-sell”, meaning manufactured stuff that is being resold. They are trying to make it more high quality, one of a kind, work, but there are sections devoted to the Merchants along 4th Ave that is clearly resale material (some merchants do carry one of a kind things). There are also side venues that are not part of the official show that have a lot of buy-sell stuff. That being said i’ve been attending this show since the mid-70s and it does have a wonderully eclectic feel to it. I love it. One note please don’t bring your dogs, they are not allowed because too many were becoming overheated during the spring shows, and the crowds can be pretty overwhelming.
Yes, if the weather is very good, the crowds at the fair are overwhelming and parking is a problem. I often catch the Sun Tran bus to it, but this year I may try to bike to it and park in the valet parking. Park at each end of the NEW Sun Link streetcar this year, and ride to it from either end. Thanks for your comments TS, I agree with you about the eclectic nature of this fair…something for everyone.
Looks like an intriguing event, and some day I’ll have to go. Is it more like an upscale event like the Tempe or Fountain Hills festivals, or is it more of an eclectic/funky sort of art vibe?
Most of the art at this winter festival is fairly upscale, but there is a mix as well. I’d recommend a visit just to experience the very popular event, with lots of food booths to choose from as well. And all the shops on Fourth Avenue are open too.