The Art Fair Amble

May 23, 2010


For me, one of the least satisfying kinds of walking is the air fair amble.
It’s like being on an obstacle course in slow motion. It’s certainly not conducive to beneficially raising one’s heart rate.
And there's no easy way to determine one’s stride and pace with so many sidesteps, stops and reverses.
Blocking my way are people, baby strollers, dogs and an occasional golf cart or wheelchair. Why do people bring dogs to these things?
Some of the people responsible for these obstructions are at the art fair for the same reason I am: To see what’s on display in the various booths.
But I’m also in the way of people, baby strollers, dogs and the occasional golf cart or wheelchair.
And to top it all off, I’m jaywalking.
I’m in the middle of Albert Street in downtown East Lansing, zig-zagging back and forth with hundreds of other jaywalkers. On any other day, we could be cited for crossing or occupying the street where there is no crosswalk.
Thank goodness the entire downtown has been barricaded to keep motorized traffic away from Albert and sections of Abbot Road and M.A.C. Avenue. The art fair area is pedestrian-friendly.
I sometimes wish that some downtown streets were open just to pedestrians all the time. Of course, I wouldn’t want MY street blocked. How would I get my car out?
I shouldn’t complain too much about the art fair amble. I knew the pace wouldn’t be anything like hurrying to Dem Hall Field in under 15 minutes to watch the start of band practice or trying to reach Coral Gables in 40 minutes or less.
I chose the Art Fest. I’m glad I went on this warm and sunny day, and I saved a lot of money by not buying anything.
And I think I set a new time record for my walk home from downtown. I shoulda, coulda, woulda visited the restroom at the Post restaurant if I had really considered the effects of downing a 20-ounce glass of Bell’s Oberon.