This is the 22nd Annual Oak Street Fair. If my history is correct, the original idea for the Oak Street Fairs were to celebrate the Chinatown community’s efforts to preserve a piece of land on Oak Street from being demolished. Two decades ago (when the Chinatown Blogger was a young kid) the City wanted to build a parking garage on what was then called Parcel C.

Today the site of Parcel C is now known as the Metropolitan, which includes the whole block between Oak, Ash, Nassau and Harrison Ave. The Metropolitan is home to many community agencies and provides much needed affordable housing for the neighborhood.

UPDATE 10/1/07 :

I sent an email to the Oak Street Fair organizer to ask why the Oak Street Fair was started. This was the email I response:

“Yes, this was our 22nd one.  It was started as a way for the agency to reach out to community families and to provide a fun day for folks to enjoy.  Over time, we invited in other groups to share information about their services also, giving community members more information and access to organizations and providers.  We stress that this is a children and family focused event, and encourage participating organizations to give out information, provide activities, give out resources, or hand out “freebies”.  Other than the simple grilled food served, everything at the fair is free, and we don’t invite any vendors.” 

New England Medical Center gave free blood pressure tests.

Chinatown Residents Association

Asian CDC buiding houses with soft candies and toothpicks.

Tufts Dental School shows how brushing is done with a stuffed animal

Tufts University

Oak Street Fair organizer Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center had crafts and games for children.

Wally of the Red Sox shows up to pose a picture with Newton’s Alderwoman Amy Mah Sangiolo. Caught on camera by the Chinatown Blogger!

An empty booth! Can’t be!? Where is the staff??

A closer look at the Chinatown Gateway Coalition’s booth. Designs and plans to develop a 20-acre land next to Chinatown.