Community Corner
Tweedy Mile Street Fair off to a Great Start
The 22nd annual Tweedy Mile Street Fair got underway Friday afternoon with a slow, but constant trickle of fair goers that gained strength through out the evening.
The sound of music, kids playing, and the smell of tasty food packed the air on Tweedy Boulevard Friday afternoon as the began the first of the three day weekend event.
For over two decades now the Tweed Mile Street Fair has been a fixture in the South Gate community. The event is expected to attract over 250,000 visitors and venders this weekend.
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The fair includes carnival rides and games for young and old, a petting zoo, food venders of various foods a main music stage with Latin American rhythms, and a large influx of foot traffic for local businesses.
“The fair has something for the entire family,” said Jennifer Felix, as he and her court walked through the fair enjoying and partaking in all the activities. “It brings back so many wonderful childhood memories.”
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As fair goers enjoyed themselves, both vendors and local businesses were hard at work dealing with the extra demand.
“I’m hopeful to see an increase in sales this weekend with all the extra people the fair brings,” said Grant Pstikyan, owner and General Manager of . “I hope everyone comes in to watch some NBA Playoffs this weekend, have dinner, and enjoy the fair.”
Palermos Italian Cuisine on the other hand is sure that it will reap the benefits of this weekend. They are confident that their $1 pizza by the slice deal business will be a business boom for them.
“Normally we see a 40 to 50 percent increase in sales during the fair,” said Esther Garcia, wife of the co-owner of the newly revamped restaurant.
However, the fair is not all fun and games for everyone. Businesses that are not food related, such as hair salons, can have a harder time.
“Business has been slow, [and] during the fair I see an 80 percent drop [in comparison to] my normal sales,” said Hair Stylist and owner of Emilia Cobian, who has been at this location since 1983.
Despite the lack of sales that Cobian is expecting, she is quite happy about the effective police presence, and the fact that her grandchildren will have a good and safe time.
“I’m taking my grandkids to the fair, so even if I lose my clientele for the weekend at least it will be safer for them,” concluded Cobian.
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