Join us for a day of pre-back-to-school activities, games and our best vendors for and created by the kids of NYC!
EVENT DETAILS
Hester Street Fair has families to thank for the fun and welcoming atmosphere week after week. The final weeks of summer are coming to an end so we’re hosting a special Back to School Day for kids and their families.
SPECIAL GUESTS
BASIS Independent Manhattan
At this Upper West Side PreK–8 private school on the Upper West Side, students are inspired to learn at the highest international levels in a nationally recognized liberal arts and sciences curriculum. Their passionate, expert teachers and robust course offerings challenge students to become excellent problem solvers poised to confidently tackle whatever comes their way. Stop by their tent to work on an engineering project that utilizes packing peanuts to build!
My Little Village
This progressive preschool in the LES creates an environment for learning that appreciates the individuality and uniqueness of each child. At MLV children are encouraged to learn through exploration of life. Hang in their tent for readings from acclaimed children’s author Rosalinde Block and to work on an art project with the professional therapists at Water and Stone Art and Drama Therapy. And why not get your face painted while you’re at it!
MS131
This LES middle school inspires students through academics, arts, and technology, to explore, create and achieve. In addition to performing, MS131 students will be giving away free books all day long to young readers.
WORKSHOP
URSA Textiles’ LUPA Kids Workshop
LUPA (Learning and Understanding the Principles of Art) is a popular kids’ creative art workshop founded and operating in Buenos Aires, Argentina, by American artist and designer Elizabeth Gleeson, created to ignite the imaginations of children and awaken their creative spirit through material and process exploration. This weekend URSA will be hosting a special artist’s book workshop at Hester Street. Kids will learn basic bookmaking techniques and will be able to experiment with collage, stamping, and printmaking to create their own unique art book. All materials are included in the workshop fee of $7.
PERFORMANCES
Willie DeVargas and The Super Giant Creatures
11AM + 3PM
Born and raised in the LES, Willie DeVargas fell in love with music as a child, immersed in the diversity of the city and exposed to sounds from all over the world. He’s inspired to create more music that shares positive messages about life and our world in a way that is simple and empowering for our young ones.
MS131
11:30AM
Top 50 Hits according to the life of an 8th grader
12PM
Kaylee Paneto on Keyboard
1PM
Yemy Yu Li on Guitar
2PM
Lyrics by a local Rapper and MS131 student “Ralphburg”
4PM
Kaylee Paneto from MS 131 on Keyboard
5:30PM
Yemy Yu Li from MS 131 on Guitar
ABADÁ-Capoeira Academy NYC
3PM + 4PM
Experience a Brazilian martial art rich in history and culture with the Capoeira NYC community that celebrates movement, music, and physical self-expression.
COMPLETE VENDOR LINE UP
Basis Independent Manhattan, Beanstalk & Co., Beba’s kitchen, Bonus Bklyn, Canal, Dana Petras Books, David Sussman Design, Delightfull Foods Corporation, Education Alliance, eugenehands / MDPlantldy,FiligreeNYC, Gigi Singh, Gigi’s Mimos, Hatzumomo, Joe’s Apron’s, Katmama Accessories LLC, Lab for the Developing Mind at NYU, Lower East Side Preservation Initiative, Monsoon Sweets, MS131, My Little Village, Ovando Salvi, Popped, POPTEA, Raud Rahmanian, Rollie, Rosey Jamaican, Sat Nam Babe, Savory 2 Sweet, Solar One, Stax, Tania’s Kitchen NYC, The Crocheting, The Pudgy Rabbit, Tribeca Trinkets, URSA Textiles, Village Psychic, What’s the Dillaz?, Will Carr Halper, and more to come!
ABOUT HESTER STREET FAIR
The Hester brand is known for its highly curated selection of NYC’s artisanal fashion, art, design, jewelry, crafts, music, and food vendors. By bringing together a high quality, wide range of cutting edge entrepreneurs and under-the-radar brands, Hester creates buzzworthy artisanal experiences that are unique to New York City. Our vendor selections represent the unmatched diversity, unique talent, and abundant creative spirit that sets the Lower East Side apart. The Hester experience is about bringing the community together. It is family friendly and open to all, yet stylish and exclusive enough to appeal to discerning foodies and in-the-know shoppers who come to check out the latest trends. Described by the New York Times as a “hyperlocal block party,” The Hester brand brings a connection to community and a vibe that is cool, cozy, and familiar.
Every weekend, the Hester Street Fair draws Lower East Side locals, families, and tourists. We drew more than 9,000 people on this year’s opening day and continue to draw thousands of people every weekend. 75% of our roster is from the local community, and all goods are either handmade or owner collected with an emphasis on unique specialty items. We have maintained our place as the most affordable artisanal street fair in the city, allowing for vendors experimentation in branding and product creation. The space has become a launchpad for a diverse group of entrepreneurs looking to build their brands and bring ideas to life.
