Laurel Street Fair

The Laurel Street Fair is rather small, but they do pack a lot into this area!!I've heard about this street fair for a while, so I always wanted to check it out for myself. It's runs for a few blocks on MacArthur Blvd in the Laurel District, which is next to the Diamond District in Oakland!!Very local!! Most of the businesses were open also. Live music, dancing, a play area for the kids including a big slide, lots of food and drink options available. Just a good time.It was a hot day when I was here. And there were lots of people here so I had to park a a good distance away.But it was all good!! It's advertised as the World Music Festival also. A pretty good way to spend a Saturday afternoon!!

This is a pretty good fair! I've been here at least twice, and I used to live in the area. I wish I took advantage and came out more in the past because both times I've come here there have been some wonderful finds. The first time I remember seeing a very cute petting zoo area and I left with some cool sunglasses. They were cheap but I loved them (lost them shortly at a music festival sadly). I went this year and I didn't see the petting zoo but there were soo many more food vendors than I remember seeing the last time. Tons of beer vendors this year, and many shopping stalls. I finally got to true Pineapple Whips, which I've been trying to track down and gave up on. So funny that I stumbled upon them, so of course I had to give them a try. It was a hot day and it hit the spot. There was a decent sized stage for performances, chairs and tables to enjoy the show and to eat. Plenty of local vendors to browse, from art to fashion to resources and services. Great annual neighborhood fair!!

Known to many as the "Best of the East Bay", Laurel District is one of those places you wished you lived in! They host of one of the largest and best neighborhood events in the East Bay, and the Laurel Street Fair is one of them!I love events that bring the community together! Laurel Street fair is a free admission, the outdoor festival that is open to all. Originated 19 years ago, this lively festival is guaranteed to please you and the family.Last year, I attended for my first time and I was very pleased with the size of the festival, food vendors, as well as the entertainment. For this only being a one-day event, they really did a great job!They had a wonderful music line up that consisted of Chinyakare Ensemble, SambaFunk! feat Funkternal, Halau Makana, Andre Thierry and Elika Aird.I was excited to be introduced to new vendors that normally don't show up at festivals, such as Peter's Kettle Corn, Kenny Soul Food, and Jamaican Food Truck.Laurel Street Fair offers a children's zone, morning yoga, and a wonderful beer garden. Tons of fun festivities for the whole family to enjoy!Definitely, one of my favorite festivals to come to! It's a one-day event filled with many fun festivities throughout the whole day. Bring the kiddos and come have a wonderful day at Laurel Street Festival!

I love this Street Fair . Reason is that I grew up in this Hood and a lot of my Relatives used to Live and Own businesses here . Lots Of Family History and Ghosts here. Its a Small Street Fair as it runs from 35th Avenue to 38th Avenue .But don't let its size fool you it packs a BIG Punch as there are Several Restaurant's and a Few Bars in that 3 Block Area . There was a Stage Set Up on 38th Avenue with an Actual Wood Dance Floor in place in front of it . And Boy did that Dance Floor get used it was a literal Dance Party for hours there . Especially when the Salsa Band showed up . There were a lot of Cute Ladies Swinging and Sashaying around . There were Rastafarian Security Guards wandering around in the Crowd to keep the Fair safe. If your a Foodie this fair is for you , African , Soul Food , BBQ , Fried Fish and Chicken , Peters Kettle Corn , Fist Of Flour Pizza , Numerous Chinese Restaurants , Mexican Food . You name it you can find it here .Tons of art and Crafts Booths , Political Booths , Black Panthers, .Djs Bumping Music on different street corners .Carnival Rides and a Petting Zoo for the Kiddies .Cocktail , Beer and Wine available for Recreational Drinking . Family Friendly and very Diverse makes this an interesting Street Fair in an Old and Established Neighborhood in East Oakland.

Laurel Street Fair happened 8/11 from 11-6 p.m. on macarthur blvd. between 35th ave and 38th ave. Laurel's fair is a small compared to Octoberfest in the Dimond.100,000 for the beerfestlaurel-activities for children-live animals (rabbits, hares, roosters, guinea pigs,.ducks..)-slides plus whole block or 2 of activities (didn't check out, visually saw)-snow cones, shaved ice, & ice creamfood vendors (for adults) present:-africa food (3)-hot dogs-fried food-shaved ice-gourmet ice cream sandwiches-lumpia-bbq(2)-filipino vegan cuisine-beer/wine booth (3)no lines at all (unlike octoberfest*no seating area in food area.notes:-easy to find parking in residential areas-some community booths, few commercial booths-1 large stage at center for musical performances.-not too crowded midafternoon.

This festival may be small but that gives it a family-friendly feel. I was part of the final performance by local fave SambaFunk but the party had begun well before we processed in an impromptu parade. The DJ was spinning old school and youngsters were dance battling old timers; the grandpa put the breakdancers to shame with his James Brown moves. Then there was a belly dance and Bollywood demo that got the crowd and my fellow Funkquarians shimmying what their momma gave them. Then it was time for us to take the stage. The crowd soon joined us doing the samba in the street. Definitely the Oakland I love! Next year, I'll arrive early to try some BBQ and let the kiddo see the petting zoo and go to the bouncers.

Great chill vibe (good for families), good food selection, great live music (Onyx Music), free admission.

Of all the bay area street fairs, this one was probably the worst. No parking, sparse offerings, and beer only able to be consumed with the purchase of a glass mug and 4 tickets for $25. This is appropriate for a beer festival but street fairs should sell paper cups for the casual fair-goer who just wants to enjoy ONE beer. I should have gone to Richmond for the Rosie The Riveter Festival instead. Wasn't worth the 20 minutes it took to find parking.

Love this festival. Good music, food, and terrific vibe going on all day. The organizers did a great job keeping things busy but not overcrowded or commercial. I live in the Laurel and never miss this festival .