BRIDGEPORT — What began as an anniversary celebration for a pair of local businesses has blossomed into a full-blown neighborhood art fair.
"Bridgeport hasn't really had a neighborhood event in a while, so we said 'screw our anniversaries, let's have a party,'" said Leanne Scanlon, co-owner of Hardscrabble Gifts, organizer of the Pop 33 Art Fair.
The event takes place throughout the day on Saturday, with local businesses and artists participating on the makeshift fairgrounds in the 3300 block of South Halsted Street.
That's where 40-some vendors will gather and offer their wares, including original works of art, food and drink samples and handmade crafts. For a complete roster, see the fair's Facebook page.
The family friendly fair also includes a number of activities designed for kids.
Karma Yacht Sales has donated a sail for kids to decorate and Cermak Produce has donated pumpkins that can be painted from noon-2 p.m. outside the Richard J. Daley branch of the Chicago Public Library, 3400 S. Halsted St.
Outside of the fairgrounds, Halsted Street businesses will be running sales and unique specials: Taco Erendira will erect a Day of the Dead altar, Blue City Cycles will offer 15 percent off to fairgoers; Jackalope Coffee and Tea will put new art on display; Hardscrabble will have a "one-day blowout"; and Barks N Bites will offer portraits with Fifty the Two-Legged Pitbull from 1-3 p.m.
The other business celebrating its two-year anniversary, Bridgeport Comics and Games, will have a special sales on comics and host a YuGiOh card tournament and the South Loop Chamber of Commerce will pass out reusable shopping totes.
Scanlon, who runs the gift shop with her mother Janet, said the fair is as much about trumpeting the artists who supply their boutique with unique gifts as it is about building up Bridgeport's growing network of storefronts.
"Instead of celebrating out two-year anniversary, let's celebrate all the local businesses because without them we wouldn't really exist," she said.
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