Allston Village Street Fair Festival Brings Community Together with Music, Vendors and Dance – The Daily Free Press

The 14th annual Allston Village Street Fair Festival took place on Sunday, where families, students and community members gathered along Harvard Avenue to listen to live music, browse local vendors and watch street performances.

“As long as people are having fun, that’s what it’s all about,” said Joan Pasquale, creator and producer of the festival since 2005.

The festival is organized by Parents and Community Build Group, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to engage Bostonians and build stronger communities.

Pasquale hopes the festival will reflect the diversity of the Allston community and also “attract outsiders to Allston.”

Seven different musical performances were presented on the main stage of the festival. Musical genres ranged from jazz and indie rock to acid blues with a guest appearance by DJ WhySham, who also hosted the event.

Eliphete Yacinthe, a senior at Berklee College of Music, performed with his band, the Eli Yacinthe Band.

Yacinthe said performing at the festival is important to establishing a presence in the Greater Boston music scene and “growing the name.”

Yacinthe said he hopes to “bring people together and have fun” through his music.

Rocco and Jake DeRosa, founders of the band Leaving Irene, said they enjoy playing their music to an “artistic audience.”

“Allston has an incredibly rich musical history,” said Rocco DeRosa. “It’s just nice to be around like-minded people.”

Conrad Warre, guitarist, vocalist and founder of Bee’s Deluxe, an acid blues, punk and jazz band, said the festival provides a unique opportunity to collaborate with other musicians.

“The festival is great because you get to see other bands, and we rarely see other bands,” Warre said. “It’s a luxury for us.”

In addition to highlighting Allston’s active music scene, the event aims to help the small business community become financially stable. Many local businesses set up tables and tents to sell items ranging from vintage clothing to pottery.

Stevie Spence, a full-time mental health professional, attended the festival as a vendor selling handmade pottery. Spence said participating in festivals with their work allows them to represent their community.

“Being a queer and trans artist, it’s very nice to be able to take up space wherever I go,” Spence said.

Pasquale said Allston’s diversity and acceptance are among the main goals of the festival.

“This has always been a safe community,” Pasquale said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re black, white, brown or gay.”

The festival specifically aims to be inclusive for all ages, with activities for families and children, including sidewalk chalk and balloon animals.

Ruifeng Hu, a researcher at Harvard Medical School, attended the festival with his family, including his four-year-old son.

Hu said his son especially liked the paintings and toys prepared for children.

Quinn Tierney and Mia McDermott, Emerson College freshmen, spent time at the festival shopping for artwork and clothing.

“There are some really cute and versatile things in there,” Tierney said.

The festival ended with a dance party hosted by DJ WhySham, which is a new tradition of the festival.

In the future, Pasquale would like to see more involvement from colleges and students in the Boston area.

“You are part of the community. You can live on site, but so what?” – Pasquale said. “It doesn’t matter what your address is. Anyone can join.”