The 48th Annual Castro Street Fair Is Back In Full Swing October 2
This iconic festival was founded by Harvey Milk in 1974. It's back this year for its 48th rendition!
That’s right, the Castro Street Fair is back! This beloved festival takes the Castro by storm every October, welcoming hundreds of local artists, vendors, organizations, and more to line the streets along with live music and dance stages. This year’s fair will take place on Sunday, October 2 from 11am-6pm on Castro and Market Streets. Donations of $10 or $20 are encouraged upon entry and will go to local nonprofits.
The most lively part of last year’s fair was Dance Alley at the intersection of Castro and Market. Stay tuned as we await this year’s DJ lineup.
This exciting event will raise funds to support the following nonprofit organizations:
- Buen Dia Family School: Bilingual (Spanish/English) arts-focused preschool
- Castro Community on Patrol: Community volunteers who perform safety patrols in the Castro neighborhood
- Haight Ashbury Community Nursery School: Exploration-based, parent-led community school
- Imperial Council of San Francisco: Raises money for diverse organizations lifting up LGBTQ+ and other oppressed communities
- Instituto Familiar de la Raza: Benefits the Chicano/Latino/Indigena community of San Francisco
- Most Holy Redeemer: AIDS Support Group through MHR Catholic Church
- Queer Life Space: Mental health services for the LGBTQ+ community
- Castro Merchants Association: An organization dedicated to serving small businesses in the Castro neighborhood.
- Everett Middle School: Public middle school in the Castro.
- McKinley Elementary: Public elementary school in the Castro.
- SF CASA: A nonprofit dedicating to protecting and serving local children in foster care.
- The 15 Association: A gay male BDSM association
Since 1998, the Castro Street Fair has raised $1.5M for community beneficiaries like these. They also maintain the Rainbow Pride Flag that flies in Harvey Milk Plaza.
Harvey Milk founded the Castro Street Fair in 1974 in order to celebrate the Castro neighborhood’s diversity. Thousands of people participated, and the event has since grown into one of the city’s largest festivals.
Remember, the Castro Street Fair will be in full swing on Sunday, October 2 from 11am-6pm. In order to avoid parking nightmares, the fair recommends taking Muni on the K, L, M, and T lines which all stop at the Castro Station. Be safe and have fun!
Featured image: @CastroStFair via Twitter