More Than 10,000 Visit Hester Street Fair

So much for starting slow. The Hester Street Fair was a hit from the moment it began at 10 o’clock this morning. A ton of media exposure during the past month and a gorgeous day obviously did the trick. There were plenty of neighborhood folks turning out – but also lots of people who seldom (if ever) venture below Delancey, on the Lower/Lower East Side. On its first day, more than 10-thousand passed through the Hester Street Fair’s brand new ornamental gate to visit 60 diverse vendors. Click through to see photos from day 1.

Hester Street Fair organizer SuChin Pak with her friend Joel Madden, the lead singer of the band Good Charlotte.

Seward Park Co-op President Michael Tumminia, City Councilmember Margaret Chin, Seward Park board member Wei-Li Tjong and LES BID Executive Director Bob Zuckerman. The Co-op owns the space where the Fair is being held, and was a driving force behind the idea.

Fair visitors went nuts for Luke’s lobster rolls. All day, a line snaked around the courtyard, as the hungry masses waited for a taste of Maine.

The Brits behind Silkstone catering were preparing delicious farm-fresh omelets. In June they plan to open a restaurant on Orchard Street.

An artist at work: Mile End served up bagels from Montreal.

One of the neighborhood’s most recent arrivals, Pain D’Avignon (Essex Street Market), will be a presence at the Fair every weekend.

The Kave clan: First Prize Pies made their LES debut.

There was plenty of food but also a nice selection of vintage clothing and jewelry.

Coincidentally, it was Hands on New York Day. Volunteers from HSBC planted trees in Seward Park, right next to the Fair-grounds.

The Hester Street Fair will be back tomorrow, 10am-6pm. The weather is threatening not to cooperate, but judging from today’s enthusiastic response, these guys don’t have much to worry about.