Dave

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Sunday, February 24, 2008

Trip Report: Houston Street Market & Fair...

I had heard about this little event that takes place once a month in San Antonio called the Houston Street Market & Fair, and thought my wife and I ought to take a little investigative trip downtown to see what all the hullabaloo was about. We went, had a grand old time, and I present to you the pictures we took.This event takes place the last Saturday of every month along a portion of Houston Street and extends to in front of the Alamo. Think of it as a place for the city and the the county to set up informative booths for the purpose of educating citizens, then, combine that with performers doing things like singing or doing some reenacting of old times, and then add in a mix of vendor booths so you can purchase stuff, or pretend that this is a mini-Fiesta, and get a few beers or Margaritas to chase down some funnel cakes and flautas, and you've got yourself the Houston Street Market & Fair.The price was right - free. We paid $7.00 for parking on the next street over, and walked around, enjoyed the sights, took pictures and such, then (what else would you expect) went to eat.Oh, and were you aware that the COSA now has an official mascot for Code Compliance? I had no idea until I met up with, The Enforcer. I suddenly had the urge to mow my yard and get the truck on blocks off the front of our lawn after seeing this spirited fella.

Here is an interesting tidbit. Have you ever heard that expression about "Getting hit by a bus"? You know, people tell you to plan for your family or train co-workers to do your job because you never know, you could step off a curb and get hit by a bus. Then what?
So my wife pointed out this little seal placed in concrete above a sewer drain on Commerce Street. She tells me I ought to take a picture of it. I have to tell you that when I am downtown looking for things to look at, I am often just in my own little world. So, I stepped off the curb into the street, pointed the camera at this little disk and took the picture, then stepped back up unto the sidewalk. As I looked up to continue walking, this huge tour bus was maybe three feet away from me and the driver gave me the official look of, "You sir, are a complete and utter dumbass, and they have a saying for people like you and it involves getting hit by a bus."

Those were his exact words, (had he said them), given to me with his grumpy bus driver look. Do you suppose he sees this type of thing often? My question is, why didn't he blast me with the horn so I could have had a heart attack and fallen beneath his tires? Who knows?

Oh, the seal was some sort of warning not to pour oil down the drain. Geeze, I hope we didn't spend a lot of money on that. A person could get killed.
Okay, I'm sure you have either been to the Alamo or at least seen it via Pee Wee's Big Adventure. The basement is a must see. What you not have seen was a bunch of actors recreating life around the Alamo back during the times that it was getting famous.Sure enough, as part of the HSM&F, they had a bunch of period actors living it up amongst the tourists and locals. Good stuff. Feeling somewhat cheated, what with me having a special moment with "The Enforcer", my wife took a moment to pose with some of San Antonio's finest. I like to see a large police presence downtown. They do a good job during Fiesta, so handling the small and well behaved crowd here was not even worthy of a good tasering. Good times, either way.

Did you get a chance to do anything fun this weekend? Tell me about it, or leave a comment.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

We were going to go, but Saturday morning was kind of yucky, so we decided to catch it next month. You could have saved $7:

PARK FREE on event day beginning at noon in the city's St. Mary's Street parking garage located at 400 N. St. Mary's at Travis Street.

(In case you ever want to go again--unless money is no object!)

Looks like a decent way to spend an afternoon, and I bet next month's weather will be good, too.

Anonymous said...

Eva says:
You forgot to mention the hot kettle corn.Yes we did walk a bit and than we did have a nice lunch at Shilo's but on the way back to the truck some little girl offered me a sample of kettle corn. I had never tasted it and being that I was good and only ate 3/4 of my samich and no chips. I had to buy some and it was hot.I had a bit of it on the way home and it was lunch for the next day.The day was beautiful and the surrounding were great.I also must add that the samich was Eeee-yum-Y best club I had ever ate.Forgot to add Company was awesome also. I did tell you to be quick the bus was coming. Guess you just didn't hear.

Anonymous said...

I went to the Home Improvemnt Expo at the Alamodome on Saturday with a buddy with whom I used to work, and we looked at all the home improvement booths, 319 of them to be exact.

Parking was $10, so I searched for a slot at a cheaper lot, rather than at the Alamodome. I had to pay $10 anyway at the lot I managed to find and then walk about a mile to get to the Dome! Who knew?

It was a good afternoon, especially eating at the lunch buffet at the Marriott! As for the Expo, if I were rolling in dough, I'd get the jumbo hot tub, the sealed granite countertops, the Brazilian wood floors, and so on. Unfortunately, I just browsed the newest in home improvement ideas... and made a mental wish list.

Sound as if you and Eva had a great time at the Houston Street Market Fair. I'm going to have to go there one of these days.

Anonymous said...

I went to the Home Improvemnt Expo at the Alamodome on Saturday with a buddy with whom I used to work, and we looked at all the home improvement booths, 319 of them to be exact.

Parking was $10, so I searched for a slot at a cheaper lot, rather than at the Alamodome. I had to pay $10 anyway at the lot I managed to find and then walk about a mile to get to the Dome! Who knew?

It was a good afternoon, especially eating at the lunch buffet at the Marriott! As for the Expo, if I were rolling in dough, I'd get the jumbo hot tub, the sealed granite countertops, the Brazilian wood floors, and so on. Unfortunately, I just browsed the newest in home improvement ideas... and made a mental wish list.

Sound as if you and Eva had a great time at the Houston Street Market Fair. I'm going to have to go there one of these days.

About Your Host

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San Antonio, TX, United States
I love to observe the odd things happening around me as I go about my day. I especially like it when I can get a picture of people being themselves. Here, I attempt to report the various people and events I have encountered in my neighborhood, and my city. I'd also love to hear from you. Feel free to e-mail your experiences and photos of life in San Antonio.

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