Monday, August 15, 2011

Street Bazaar

Yesterday, after taking in The Wiz, the final show of the season at the Maine State Music Theater, we stopped by and enjoyed some of the atmosphere of the weekend's 86th St. Peter's Italian Street Festival. Federal Street was clogged with games of chance, Italian food and pastries, raffles, music, people and of course the grease pole. I recall the times that Teddy's mom would load her tan Oldsmobile up with a bunch of us guys and head in town. We always took in the bazaar on Saturday night. We got to stay out late and the sights, sounds and the darkness added so much. The highlight of the trip though was always the activity surrounding the grease pole with a hundred dollar bill resting at the top. Be the one to make it to the top and ol' Ben Franklin was yours. We always begged to give it a try, but all Mrs. Greene, standing among her friends, would do in return to our pleas , would be to tilt her head to the sky and let out a high pitched stream of laughter. Needless to say, Ben never graced our pockets on the ride home, but those were fun-filled nights of glee.
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20 comments:

  1. Valladolid Daily PhotoAugust 15, 2011 at 8:52 AM

    It looks like lots of fun.

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  2. VPAugust 15, 2011 at 8:57 AM

    I always like to take pictures in places like this one!

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  3. RandyAugust 15, 2011 at 9:14 AM

    Sound like a great time!

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  4. Tanya BreeseAugust 15, 2011 at 9:23 AM

    when i saw the word "italian" i knew there had to be great food here! climbing a greased pole, there must be a trick to it!

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  5. LowellAugust 15, 2011 at 9:54 AM

    I like the way, having lived in the same town for years, you get to replay scenes from your childhood. Those of us who moved around a lot miss that experience.

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  6. SharonAugust 15, 2011 at 9:55 AM

    This looks like an event that draws a huge crowd.

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  7. PerthDailyPhotoAugust 15, 2011 at 9:57 AM

    The grease pole you say Birdman, now that must a lot of fun to watch. Should imagine that 100 dollar bill was pretty safe! Mind you if a six footer came along it might get interesting!!

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  8. Luis GomezAugust 15, 2011 at 9:59 AM

    Excellent! Love this kind of places.

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  9. Genie -- Paris and BeyondAugust 15, 2011 at 10:17 AM

    So, do they still have the pole and did you try it out this weekend? I expect you will treat us all to coffee with old Ben.

    Bises,
    Genie

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  10. JackAugust 15, 2011 at 10:34 AM

    The simple street fairs are so much fun. I like to stumble across them. Nice picture here, Birdman.

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  11. AnonymousAugust 15, 2011 at 10:41 AM

    Nice photo! I like street bazaars and festivals too.
    Here august 20 is a national holiday, and will be a great festival, called "Flower festival".

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  12. Folkways Note BookAugust 15, 2011 at 11:47 AM

    Birdman -- when you described your night with the mom and guy peers -- I was taken back to similar days when I was young only it was girl peers. Your stories are great for a memoir. Or maybe a book. The photos would be a great supplement to your book if you were to write one.-- barbara

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  13. HalcyonAugust 15, 2011 at 12:44 PM

    Fairs are always a good time! Love all the bright colors in this shot.

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  14. lizziviggiAugust 15, 2011 at 12:55 PM

    I just love all the festivals summer brings.

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  15. RedPatAugust 15, 2011 at 1:47 PM

    So did you try the pole yesterday! ;-)

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  16. cieldequimperAugust 15, 2011 at 2:45 PM

    Now that sounds like great fun. I wonder if there was food other than pizza and pasta. I've just had antipasti for dinner...

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  17. Regina KAugust 15, 2011 at 6:01 PM

    Would you laugh the same if a child of yours (if you have any) were to ask to try the grease pole.

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  18. MichelleAugust 15, 2011 at 8:46 PM

    Always such an interesting variety of people in such places.

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  19. Betsy Banks AdamsAugust 15, 2011 at 9:33 PM

    I'll bet that The Wiz was good.... AND--that street festival/bazaar looks fabulous. Sounds like you all had a great time.

    Funny memory about the grease!!!
    Betsy

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  20. Bob CroweAugust 15, 2011 at 10:48 PM

    It seems strange but I do not remember any neighborhood festivals growing up in Queens. The city itself was a 24/365 festival. We got plenty of them here out in STL - good blog fodder.

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