Hessler Street Fair

Hessler is pretty much the start of summer for me – it’s such a hallmark in the year, as students are done with classes and graduation is always the same weekend, and (for the most part), the temperature tends to be pretty agreeable.
The street fair itself is usually incredibly congested, but that’s how these types of events go. Just be prepared to be in contact with a mass of other bodies. Everyone is usually pretty polite and nice here. It’s a hippie fest, so, you know, peace, man.
Definitely check out this event if you’re into handmade items and solid people watching!

Dog friendly, saw a lady pushing her pug in a stroller. Lots of characters here. Food vendors ranged from BBQ, grass fed burgers, wood fire pizzas, fries. Lots of arts and crafts booths and people getting you to sign up for something

I enjoyed the hessler street fair… Perhaps mostly because its close enough to home that I was able to ride my bike there. I did not stick around for any of the entertainment. There were a few interesting vendors selling some products that I had not seen before. However, they seem to be fad type items you can find the instructions to make on your favorite fancy/​fab type website.
One quick stroll through was enough for me… All said and done i was there for at most 40 minutes. Would visit again just for something to do but would not miss out on other adventures just to go to this fair.

One of my favorite festivals of the year.
The food is great. Not your typical carnival food. Good, ethnic eats.
Lots of great vendors and the people watching is the best.

Oh my gosh! I had such a blast at this event. In all of my years as a NE Ohio resident, I had no idea that this event existed. My hippie friend Jan suggested that we check it out, so I decided it was worth my while. First of all, I decided I was going to be brave and take the rapid down. What an experience. I met a sweet old man at the rapid station who talked to me all the way from W117th to Tower City. I get off the rapid at E120, and have no idea where I’m going. I follow the signs and finally get there.
What a place. So beautiful, so leafy, so hippie! My kind of people. My friend Jan and I walked around for about 2 hours, just enjoying watching people mix and mingle. It was an eccentric crowd. Personally, I love the barefoot people. And the women who don’t shave their pits. Those are my people man.
Food was amazing, music was great, beautiful day. The only thing missing, and this sounds terrible, is beer. BUT, the lemonade was delicious!

Held every year since 1969 (with a 10 year hiatus from 84 – 95), Hessler is a Cleveland institution and the mark of the festival season. Come hungry, with sunscreen and cash. Vendors sell ethnic eats, ice cream, and hand crafted items like tie died clothing, jewelry, and pottery.
The neighborhood is leafy, eclectic, and brick lined. Hessler should be experienced at least one time in your Cleveland career. Check out my pics from 2010’s festival. Follow the signs for the children’s play area where you can find a drum circle.

Oh, the Hessler street fair. Located in the midst of Case Western’s campus on a shaded brick street over a weekend in late May is a festival that my hippie friends from college would LOVE. There were a few dozen booths, some were non-​profit organizations although most were selling things like Batiks, clothing, incense, jewelry, soaps, photographs, ceramics, organic chocolate, Henna [done by fellow Unilocaler Habby], and other keitcschke art. A lot of people came out, including all of the hippies, even Cleveland’s most famous one, Dennis Kucinich. Me, I enjoyed chatting with the folks from WRUW, CWRU’s radio station who were broadcasting the event live [awesome].
A few strumming traveling musicians that need gas [and pot/​booze] money lined the sidewalk; There also a small stage with live music by a bunch of a bands throughout the day, mostly roots and bluegrass. There was also music throughout the weekend at the Barking Spider a few blocks away which has a great patio.
There was also a few food vendors that didn’t have the typical carny fare but instead couscous, Jamaican cuisine, falafel, and some brats and polish boys [I enjoyed some couscous from Algebra Tree House].
What’s most impressive is the fair [free to enter, charging admission would lose the spirit of this event], held in some capacity since the 60s, is sponsor-​free, all organized done by the volunteers and neighborhood residents, major kudos to them. There also was a small garage temporarily reused as a museum with old photos and press clippings of the event over the years.