Arlington Street Fair set for July 9-11

Approximately 175 vendors are scheduled to come to downtown Arlington as part of the Arlington Street Fair which is returning this year.

This year’s event will be held on Olympic Avenue July 9 to 11. It is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on July 9 and 10, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on July 11.

The annual event is organized by the Downtown Arlington Business Association.

“We’re excited we get to hold this after not being able to last year,” said Jeri Rugtvedt, a member of DABA and organizer of the event.

Last year’s Arlington Street Fair was not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We were very disappointed, but of course because of the pandemic it was a good idea to not have it,” she said.

The street fair will be similar to previous years, but the booths will be socially distanced.

“It’s going to look a little different this year,” said Rugtvedt.

She said the space between the vendors will be larger to prevent too many people from congregating.

“We have thousands of visitors and they can all congregate in specific areas,” she said, especially when a booth is popular.

DABA also plans to put hand sanitizer stations at the event.

About 175 vendors currently plan to have booths at the street fair.

“We have arts and crafts, home-made items and some direct sell vendors,” said Rugtvedt. “There are a lot of returning favorites."

There are many vendors who are bringing vintage, antique, wood-working and items personally made by the seller.

“There will be vendors that sell roasted nuts, homemade jam, barbecue sauces, items they make on their own such as soaps and lotions,” said Rugtvedt. “This year we have a lot more vendors who are selling items for pets."

Food vendors will be at the street fair, including some new choices.

“For the first time we will have froyo and ice cream sold at the street fair,” said Rugtvedt.

Activities for kids will be available again at the street fair, but live music will not be offered this time.

“Unfortunately, we were not able to get the live music that we usually have for this year,” said Rugtvedt.

Rugtvedt said she hopes people come down and enjoy the street fair this year.

“I think this year people will like being able to get out, visit with people, meet friends and see their favorite vendors,” she said.