ORANGE — Merchants, musicians and merry residents crowded the sidewalks this week — and they’ll be doing it twice more this summer.
Orange’s Third Thursday Street Fair — held during each of the summer months on, yes, the third Thursday — is hosted by the Orange Merchants Group and organized by Trail Head Outfitters and General Store co-owner Brenda Anderson.
From the Millers River to the Dance Studio, and down East Main Street and West Main Street, vendors lined the sidewalks, while musicians played at Memorial Park and Pocket Park on South Main Street and North Main Street, respectively.
Anderson said the fair is all about “connecting” with the community — and, from talking to some fair-goers, it seems the event was successful in doing just that.
“It’s nice,” said resident Will Johnson. “I like to come every year and take pictures, just be part of the community.
“It gets everyone in Orange to come out and know what’s going on. They can buy things, they can eat things, they can listen to music.”
Along South Main Street, vendors sold their goods. Usborne Books and More sold children’s books, Jackson Effie Coffee Cabin had a truck selling freshly brewed coffee and Walnut Kitchen Homestead sold fudge.
Outside of Trail Head, a stand was selling freshly printed “Castle Rock” T-shirts relating to the upcoming Hulu show. Even a poster with pictures of the local Girl Scouts’ latest trip stuck in the grass.
It truly was an event for everyone.
“It’s a great idea because it gives people an opportunity to get out there,” said Shelia Hebert-Budka, who sold handmade crafts on East Main Street.
She emphasized the importance of the event for local advertising, handing out business cards for her husband’s furniture business, LB Furniture Refinishing and Antique Restoration, and shared a table with independent beauty consultant Katie DuPont, who sold Mary Kay products.
“It gets people’s names out there,” DuPont said.
In the background, local vocal-jazz group Legacy laid down some colorful tunes.
Much of the money spent at the street fair directly benefits the community. For example, Ingrid Whitten and Sue Tandy Songer — the self-described “pie ladies” — sold a dozen different types of pies to benefit the Central Congregation Church, which is currently being painted.
“All of the money goes to the church,” Tandy Songer said.
She said people at the church look forward to the fair because it’s a fundraiser they can take part in that’s not labor-intensive.
“It’s fun because all the members of the church can take part in this,” Songer said.
“Every year, it’s different,” added Whitten. “People bake the pies at home and everyone makes something different. It’s great.”
The Third Thursday Street Fair will happen next on July 19 and then on August 16.