Thousands flock to Antique Street Faire

By Sergio Lopez, Jr.

Staff Writer

411whittier.com

WHITTIER – Thousands came out to enjoy the 18th Annual Uptown Whittier Antique Street Faire on Nov. 2, 2013.
“Typical,” I thought as I drove through and around Uptown trying to find a parking spot. It served as a good omen.

This was yet another sign of a successful Uptown Whittier event. According to Michelle Morales, school director at Uptown’s Marinello School of Beauty and chairperson of the 18th Annual Uptown Whittier Antique Street Faire, five to six thousand people came out to peruse items lost in time.

The event stretched form Painter to Greenleaf along Philadelphia, which swarmed with faire-goers who circled the numerous blue- and white-tarp canopies lining the center of the street.

Venders sold everything from vintage football jerseys, glassware and artwork, including an old rotary Mickey Mouse telephones difficult to refuse.

“We’ve been here for 10 years and it’s been great every time,” said Valerie Bates, owner of Sugar and Spice Antiques and ex-owner of three different Whittier businesses, including a hair salon she seemed particularly proud of.

At the center of all the action, pageant queens waited under Chase Bank’s concert awning on the corner of Bright and Philadelphia to take the stage and compete for “Miss Uptown Whittier.” As they took the stage, each answered a series of questions and displayed their beautiful 1950’s style-garb, some of which was homemade.

As the judges made their decision, models strutted the stage like fashionistas down the runway, sporting hair and makeup artfully done by Marinello students.

Once the decisions were made, each girl climbed back on stage, anxious to find out who would be crowned this year’s queen.

“In third-place,” announced the contestant host, standing next to last year’s pageant winner, Crystal Ordaz, “Emily Castro! In second place,” as the applause settled, “Mary Romero! And your 2013/2014 Miss Uptown Whittier,” the host said in apparent anticipation, “Victory Rivera.”

As the crowd cheered, the East Los Angeles resident, Uptown Whittier frequenter, and now Miss Uptown Whittier, received her honorary sash as it was ceremoniously placed around her by Ordaz.

According to Morales, this pageant has been staged for about 10 years. It energized the crowd and offered girls, residents or not, a chance to become the face of Uptown Whittier for a year.

The faire continued to teem with interested visitors and antique enthusiasts. The event on this picturesque day reminded all how special Uptown has become.

Sergio Lopez Jr. can be reached at 562-291-9076