History

History

The Haight-Ashbury Street Fair (HASF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating the cultural history and diversity of one of San Francisco’s most internationally celebrated neighborhoods – The Haight-Ashbury.   For the last 33 years, HASF has produced the annual street fair that features arts and crafts, food booths, two musical stages and more.  It also serves as a means for community groups, artisans and mercantile vendors to interact with the public and expand their base.  

The street fair was developed in response to the re-birth of the economic and residential spirit of the community in the mid-1970’s.  With the assistance of the late San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk, the first openly Gay supervisor, a group of neighborhood merchants, activists and residents developed the idea of producing a day long community event.  The first Haight-Ashbury Street Fair was held on April 30, 1978, to the fanfare of the neighborhood and the City.

 Since then, the street fair was moved to the second weekend in June where it has become a San Francisco cultural event.  The two stages – Main Stage and Masonic Stage – hosts a variety of musical presentations that have featured such bands as the Jefferson Starship/Airplane, The Tubes, Metallica, and Noel Redding (Jimi Hendrix Experience) among others.  These stages have also served to showcase for up-and-coming artists and community musical groups and will continue to do so.

In December of 2006, Pablo Heising, the Executive Producer of the street fair, passed away.  His dedication and guidance over the years enabled this street fair to solidify its place in the neighborhood and in the City of San Francisco.  In the wake of his death, every effort was made to ensure that the 30th Annual Haight-Ashbury Street Fair was to take place in his memory. The success of the 2007 Street Fair was as much a tribute to Pablo as it was to the success of the organization he helped mentor.  The 2007 Haight-Ashbury Street Fair was acknowledged by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors (“Certificate of Honor”) and the San Francisco Bay Guardian (2007 “Best of the Bay” Award) as a successful continuation of what has now become a San Francisco tradition.

The 33rd Annual Haight-Ashbury Street Fair will be held on Sunday, June 13, 2010, from 11 am until 5:30 pm.  Once again, a variety of vendors, food services and live entertainment will be presented.  A new area has been added to this year’s street fair – “The Children’s Alley”.  This section is designed for the families with children who attend the street fair.  Live entertainment and educational programs and games will be offered.  This community effort is an effort by the HASF to include everyone in this neighborhood celebration.     

The Haight-Ashbury Street Fair wishes to thank all of the residents, businesses, musicians, artists, city services, street fair attendees and San Francisco District Five Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi for their continual support in helping us to provide a jovial, harmonious and inspirational atmosphere.