Tens of thousands of people filled North Fourth Avenue over the course of three days last December to shop for artsy items, enjoy live music and try a range of food trucks at the first Winter Street Fair since the start of the pandemic.
"People were so excited to be back," said Casey Anderson with the Fourth Avenue Merchants Association. "It was fantastic. It was a sold-out fair. A lot of our vendors said it was their best fair in many, many years."
With one successful event in the books, and COVID numbers way down, coordinators are feeling pretty confident going into the Spring Street Fair, which is set to take place Friday, April 1, through Sunday, April 3.
Visitors can expect the same amount of sellers and community groups setting up this week as in December. Tucson Parks and Recreation will be on hand with its Ready, Set, Rec! program, a mobile unit filled with fun games for families, including giant chess, checkers, Jenga and Connect 4 games, hula hoops, and a ring toss. Local, live music will also be showcased, including a set from country musician and Tucson native, Billy Shaw Jr.
As is tradition, the shops, restaurants and bars that line North Fourth Avenue, will also be open for business.
Anderson said there will be free masks for those who want them and hand sanitation stations will be set up throughout the fair, which runs from East Eighth Street north to East University Boulevard.
"We want people to feel safe," Anderson said.
The Spring Street Fair is free runs from 10 a.m. until dusk each day. For more information, visit fourthavenue.org/street-fair.
Photos: 2021 Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
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Handmade copper wind spinners were on display at the Brighten Your Life Creations booth during the 51st Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on December 10, 2021.
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
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Guests look at handmade copper wind spinners during the 51st Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on December 10, 2021.
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
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Attendees passing and enjoying Nicholas Ivins' art booth during the 51st Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on December 10, 2021.
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
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Attendee admires art made out of recyclable material created by Levi Koenen at The Lost Highway Sign Co. booth during the 51st Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on December 10, 2021.
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
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Tucson Thrift Shop employee displaying some items they have for sale at their booth during the 51st Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on December 10, 2021.
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
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Lily's Bonsai and Gifts booth during the 51st Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on December 10, 2021.
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
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Todd Mizukawa from the Kabob Shack booth during the 51st Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on December 10, 2021.
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
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Guest looks at wind chimes at Jendala' Metal Art booth during the 51st Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on December 10, 2021.
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
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Rubi Ocampo serving fresh mango during the 51st Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on December 10, 2021.
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
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With over 6,000 people in attendance on December 10, 2021, the fair hosts artists from around the world, decadent food, and local entertainment during the 51st Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair.
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
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Cindy Salters serving samples at her booth, Black Tie Caramel, during the 51st Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on December 10, 2021.
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
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Attendees enjoying the Nivek Metal Art booth during the 51st Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on December 10, 2021.
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
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Guests enjoying a stroll during the 51st Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on December 10, 2021.
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
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Blanca Carrillo serving a churro to customer at the Churros Inzunza LLC booth during the 51st Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on December 10, 2021.
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
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Danielle Aznar from The Goods, Smoke & Grill, wrapping up a turkey leg at the 51st Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on December 10, 2021.
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
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Yappy Hour Dog Treats customer during the 51st Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on December 10, 2021.
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
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Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to attend the fair over the weekend; the 51st Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on December 10, 2021.
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
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Artist Roberto Salmon's (Papayon) art booth during the 51st Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on December 10, 2021. The 51st Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on December 10, 2021.
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
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Brian Gleser shows a dog-themed tapestry to customers in the Harmony Tie-Dyes booth during the 51st Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on Dec. 10, 2021.
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
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Guest putting on 3-D glasses to experience artist Roberto Salmon's (Papayon) art during the 51st Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on December 10, 2021.
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
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The 51st Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair hosted more than 300 artists and vendors from Tucson and around the world on December 10, 2021.
2021 Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair, Tucson
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(Image flipped horizontally) Rustic Candle company and the Tucson Thrift shop booth reflected in a shop window at the annual Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on N. 4th Ave. on December 11th, 2021.
2021 Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair, Tucson
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A group of celebrants chant “Hare Krishna,” play instruments and dance as they walk up the street at the annual Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on N. 4th Ave. on December 11th, 2021.
2021 Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair, Tucson
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A group of celebrants chant “Hare Krishna,” play instruments and dance as they walk up the street at the annual Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on N. 4th Ave. on December 11th, 2021.
2021 Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair, Tucson
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The food court at the annual Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on N. 4th Ave. on December 11th, 2021.
2021 Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair, Tucson
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Hundreds of people come to 4th Ave. to shop, eat and socialize at the annual Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on N. 4th Ave. on December 11th, 2021.
2021 Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair, Tucson
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Customers buy beer, lemonade, and other refreshments at the annual Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on N. 4th Ave. on December 11th, 2021.
2021 Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair, Tucson
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A cook serves a hot gyro in the food court at the annual Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on N. 4th Ave. on December 11th, 2021.
2021 Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair, Tucson
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Deb (obscured) and Dan Olson (center) prepare and serve fresh lemonade at The Lemon, a mobile lemonade stand at the annual Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on N. 4th Ave. on December 11th, 2021.
2021 Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair, Tucson
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Jourdyn Johnson, right, and another customer browse greeting cards at Ivin’s Art booth at the annual Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on N. 4th Ave. on December 11th, 2021.
2021 Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair, Tucson
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Nicholas Ivins sketches an outline of a dog in his distinctive style in front of his booth with finished paintings on display at the annual Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on N. 4th Ave. on December 11th, 2021.
2021 Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair, Tucson
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Ming-Chu “Michelle” Oye shows off the transparency of a framed pressed flower piece and explains how to hang it for best effect at the annual Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on N. 4th Ave. on December 11th, 2021. Michelle’s Art Design is based in Monterey Park, Calif. and has been coming to Tucson for the street fair for over a decade.
2021 Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair, Tucson
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David Crawford relaxes in a hanging chair at the Wild West booth in between helping customers at the annual Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on N. 4th Ave. on December 11th, 2021. David says he has been coming to the Fourth Avenue street fair for 25 years.
2021 Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair, Tucson
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Irene Bachmann of Desert Rose Design watches their booth at the annual Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on N. 4th Ave. on December 11th, 2021.
