Westcott Street Cultural Fair

Bringing the community together to celebrate Westcott

The Westcott Street Cultural Fair (WSCF) is an annual event begun in 1992 to create a festival that would bring the neighborhood together to celebrate its resources and strengths. The Fair’s mission is to promote a strong sense of community among diverse groups and individuals who make up the Westcott neighborhood and to increase the awareness of the neighborhood and business district as a great place to live, work, shop and recreate. The WSCF is held the third or fourth Sunday in September.

The WSCF is free of charge and draws a diverse crowd of 8,000 to 11,000 people and still growing.  Funds raised for the WSCF pay for performers fees, sound technicians fees, rental of stages and other equipment, advertising and marketing.

The Westcott Street Cultural Fair exists to:

• To promote community by involving diverse community stakeholders in the planning, execution, and evaluation of the Fair.
• To increase awareness of the neighborhood’s attractiveness and vibrancy
• To attract persons from outside the immediate neighborhood by offering unique crafts, nationally and regionally-known performers, and no-cost activities for persons of all ages.
• To develop relationships between Westcott residents and students who attend, and volunteer at, the Fair and who share in celebrating the neighborhood.

There are 120 booths of which 40% are usually from community organizations and 60% are arts & crafts vendors. Only booths selling handmade items are permitted. There are 6 stages at the WSCF hosting live music including multi-cultural acts, entertainment for children (magicians, puppets, dance & music), & dance including a separate belly-dance stage. The day starts with a parade down Westcott Street featuring neighborhood organizations, musicians, local elected officials and anyone who wants to march.  There is also a children’s activity area, which includes arts & crafts: children’s races & a climbing wall.