“Tate Street is an unusual place, especially in Greensboro, which is a corporate city,” said Becky Paterson, co-owner of Sisters Jewelry & Gifts on Tate Street.
At the Tate Street Festival on Oct. 2, children picked up hula-hoops, swinging them around to the rhythm of the bands, while a group of local adults found a side street where they could bang on hand drums.
As the music played, vendors endured the heat with optimism and those that strolled on Tate Street enjoyed the crafts and conversation that the vendors offered.
Sisters Jewelry & Gifts, Tate Street Coffee and other local businesses all contribute to the festival, which is volunteer-run, every fall.
Vendors pay $50 to set up a booth and non-profit booths are free of charge. The Neighborhood Association uses the profits to beautify the neighborhood and increase neighborhood safety. Proceeds also go toward a neighborhood watch newsletter.
This year, vendors’ wares varied from handmade jewelry, oil paintings, used clothing and handbags to handmade soap, henna and the materials of non-profit organizations hoping to educate others.
Leah Kefalos, who graduated from Guilford in 2004, set up a booth to sell merchandise from her company Re construct, which produces handmade-clothing with handmade silk-screening patterns. By mid afternoon she had almost completely sold out of skirts and was taking special orders.
“I love my skirts, so I knew they would sell well,” said Kefalos. Her merchandise can be found for sale at the Red Canary on Elm Street.
Guilford senior Morgan Durand organized a booth with juniors Katie Byrum and Sarah Waldron to sell handmade bags and knitted hats. Though they didn’t see the same profits as Kefalos, they consider the festival a good experience.
“I’m having a blast,” said Durand. “Everyone loves our creative ideas and it’s great to get feedback,” said Durand.
Ten-year-old Elizabeth Spaulding also set up a booth to sell her original beaded jewelry. Her father stood outside the booth persuading many look at her work. Spaulding sat under a tent with a delighted smile across her face: “I’ve sold a whole lot today.”
The festival is enjoyed well beyond the profits it makes for the Neighborhood Association. It has become a tradition in the Greensboro area. “I have been here for eight years and done about five festivals,” said Paterson.
This year’s festival had strong street party vibes. Local bands High Strung, Dawn Chorus, Benjomatic, The Tremors and Abe & the Spikedrivers, played throughout the day. A few spent the afternoon dancing to the bands in front of the small stage that was set up on Tate Street. Most enjoyed the music as they traveled through the street admiring the vendors’ creativity.
Some sat on the grass, eating, drinking and enjoying the music, while they watched those that passed by; others rummaged through vendors’ trunks and tents, looking for that fabulous shirt buried among the vintage clothing.
However those involved enjoyed their hot Saturday on Tate Street, the festival was a fabulous way for locals to get together and enjoy the talents of the community.