Yellow Springs, even better with Street Fair

There is a small town in Southeastern Ohio called Yellow Springs. Last week my wife suggested we
make the hour drive, and walk around sampling the unique shops and food choices. We both thought it a great way to spend a fall Saturday.

In what can only be considered a stroke of great luck that has almost heavenly implications the Yellow Springs Street Fair was taking place. It was almost a perfect coincidence. Who could resist?

On a scale of Difference Yellow Springs is several standard deviations above the mean. During Street Fair it generates a chart wholly individual, and unexpected. It is a crowded, bustling, noisy, circus of people in everything from zebra print stretch pants to baggy, hanging camouflage. And everything in between.

With both main streets crammed with vendor's booths featuring a variety of jewelry, homemade soaps, tie dyed shirts, hooded jackets, and dresses, art, pottery, woodworking and bent and welded metal creations shaped like animals there was something for everyone.

Almost every corner had a musician. A steel Every corner had a musician. A steel drum player making so many different sounds it seemed impossible that it was one instrument. A saxophone player strolling through smooth jazz rhythms, an electric guitar player wearing a horses head jamming to a grunge, garage sound, a guy playing serious blues on a three string guitar made from a cigar box. It ran the gamut of instruments, and styles, and dress. It raised a joyous sound everywhere we walked.

Food was plentiful and varied. We had street tacos topped with radishes, and cucumbers. And egg noodles, cabbage and sausage with Sriracha sauce and crushed red peppers. There was kettle corn and cotton candy, funnel cakes, and fair food galore, we passed on those, though we did buy the kettle corn, and just haven't opened it yet.

But, the crowd, the milling, moving amoeba like masses of humanity stole the show. It requires years of experience strolling down streets in places like Estes Park, CO, Gatlinburg TN, countless festivals and fairs, to navigate a scene like that. Planning is everything. Finding that little gap that leads to the booth with the candles. Once you make your move the crowd flows freely around you, a river of humanity flowing around an obstacle. Nobody minds, everything is fluid.  The real secret is accepting your place in the universe, and remaining relaxed, tension destroys the peace required to navigate the maelstrom.

It was a fantastic day. Yellow Springs is a town with charm and character, a laid back little village, delightful, and fun. Street Fair is a crowded, bustling wrestling match. And both are delightful, and should be enjoyed for their own merits. We will be back to Street Fair, but we will make the trip to enjoy the unique, small town, too.