Update: Click Here for 2010 Mississippi Street Fair

The Mississippi Street Fair is so much more than mango-ritas and heat stroke!

It’s my favorite Portland street fair. It’s compact, only five blocks from Skidmore to Fremont, so you’re guaranteed to run into your friends. “Grandfather” Leonard Smith’s BBQ Rib-Off contest is unique to the festival, and this year the organizers have added a Beer and Margarita garden, featuring craft beer tasting. There are three music stages and a dance stage, with performances all day. A children’s parade starts at noon at Beech Street. Almost all the local businesses will not only be open, but bursting onto the sidewalk and street with displays and additional seating in front of their locations. Read my post about last year’s street fair to see how much fun it is: Mississippi Avenue Street Fair 2008.

Traditionally my friends and I have ended up at the Crow Bar, sitting in the sun (i.e. burning in the sun), enjoying too many mango-ritas. But this year, though my friends may continue the tradition, I will be spending most of the fair with Mile73.com‘s Heather, helping her out at her craft booth! Yep, Heather will be selling her paintings (some samples here, and here, and here) and some of her sister’s jewelry at the fair. Her booth assignment is between Beech and Failing. We’ll be there all day, so come say hi (and buy some paintings)! Here’s the awesome Crafty Smackdown logo Heather created for her street fair art sales: