February 16, 2014 … all’s fair on Jackson Street

Crowds are not my thing.

This was taken after the fair had been going all day and the fair was bout to close. People were reluctant to leave. Two rows of stalls were set up down the centre-line for the length of Jackson Street.

I like to mingle with people in very small numbers, and on some occasions am content to be in just my own company. Until now I have always avoided the annual Jackson Street fair for exactly that reason.  Yesterday, while driving down Cuba Street, Petone, crossing Jackson Street, I realised the sheer scale of this community fair, and what a visual opportunity I was bypassing.

People seemed to be ready to spend money.

To be clear, I don’t disapprove of the fair, and think it is a good thing that people get out and enjoy themselves. I just don’t necessarily want to participate myself. I found myself being won over, or at least having my resistance eroded. With so many happy people about it would be perverse not to start smiling yourself.  It’s one of those occasions that brings out all the diversity in our city, and is, despite myself, a joy to see.

These rides were getting customers right until the 4pm deadline when the fair closed and the clean-up began

The truck-mounted fairground rides used at the festival in the beginning of February had obviously not gone very far because there was one of the rides at pretty much each significant intersection.

Jackson Street is a foodies’ street at the best of times. This is not haute cuisine but there was a steady line waiting to be served.

There were food stalls which were doing brisk business though the food was to a large extent deep-fried, and not always of the kind that would make a dietician happy.

She was just as serious before I pointed my camera at her

Little children enjoyed getting face-painting done, or at least I think they do. This one is taking it pretty seriously. The picture was taken with the permission of the girl’s mother. Such a solemn little face.

Lively colours

There were stalls selling almost everything, much of it cheap rubbish, and much of it far to gaudy for  a conservative old coot like me.  But the colours are nice to look at even if I have no personal use for them.

More crowds tomorrow.

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