News

Published: Feb. 19, 2013 Updated: Feb. 20, 2013 8:21 a.m.
By FERMIN LEAL / ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

ORANGE – A plan to expand this year’s Orange International Street Fair by one block failed to win support from the City Council.

Organizers of the fair, now in its 41st year, had proposed transforming the 100 block of South Olive Street into an ethnic street, with five Greek booths and a music stage. The plan would not add vendors or stages. It would just shift them into Olive Street from other locations.

Organizers met with the City Council last week to pitch the plan they said would relieve overcrowding and improve pedestrian traffic flow.

Adam Feliz, vice president of the nonprofit group that operates the fair, said that expected changes to fire codes in 2014 could limit the amount of people allowed within the fair. That prompted organizers to look at alternatives to expand the fair’s footprint.

Currently, 150 feet of Olive Street is used to hold Greek Street staging, dumpsters and restrooms. The block has mostly parking lots, a few businesses, but no residences.

City staff said the expansion would put the fair too close to residents on Almond Avenue and the 200 block of South Olive Street, and make it more difficult for police to patrol the area.

“The closer the fair is to our residents, the more impact it will have in our community,” said Irma Hernandez, deputy city manager. “This will result in more complaints and calls to the Police Department.”

Mayor Tita Smith and the other council members said the city might re-examine the issue next year, when the current fair contract expires and new fire codes might go into effect.

The fair draws 500,000 patrons each year over Labor Day weekend.

Contact the writer: 714-704-3773 orfleal@ocregister.com

Behind every successful non-profit there is always one person who must assume the lead role. The Orange International Street Fair (OISF) is no exception.

By day, Mike works as a Structural Mechanic for Boeing Corporation, a position that he has held for over twenty-five years. Mike’s evening and weekends are spent planning the annual OISF event.

Mike became involved with the OISF over twenty years ago as a committee member. Through the years, he had various roles both on the committee and the board. When OISF’s President had to resign in 1992 because of health issues, Mike was voted in as President and has been re-elected to the position ever since. Mike’s keen leadership skills and vision for the Street Fair keep the committee and board members motivated as they plan the event each year. Mike is a very humble person. If you ask him why the Street Fair is so successful, he will say that it’s all thanks to the volunteers that give their time and he will never mention the work and time that he himself puts into the event.

The OISF is a tradition in the Winger household. Mike’s wife Jody, daughter Courtney, and sons Chris and Gregg have been involved in the Street Fair for as long as they can remember.

We are thankful to Mike for taking on the role of President for another year and leading us into another successful Street Fair!

Join us in celebrating Mike’s tenth year as President! If you see Mike during the Street Fair, give him a pat on the back for a job well done!

Each year the OISF board of directors and committee members select a theme to represent the event for the year. For 2012 the theme is Home Grown, Internationally known.

This year is a special milestone for OISF we will be celebrating our 40th event. We hope that all of you can make it out and join us in the celebration. Lets make this years event the most successful event yet! See you Labor Day Weekend!

Sincerely the OISF team.