There’s no place like Garland Street Fair

Munchkins and flying monkeys alike followed the Yellow Brick Road to the Garland District on Saturday.

The Garland Street Fair, the annual tribute to Judy Garland and “The Wizard of Oz,” whirled through Garland Avenue. About 100 vendors showed their wares, while costumed revelers came to celebrate. And their little dogs too: Several brought their dogs dressed as flying monkeys for the occasion.

Spokane resident Gina Darty brought her two daughters to the festival. The oldest, Selah, was dressed like Glinda the Good Witch, her pale pink skirt shimmering in the sunlight.

“She loves ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ ” Darty said.

Darty, who said she finished her daughter’s costume that morning, entered Selah in a character costume contest, where she was the winner among children ages 3 to 7. Selah clutched her trophy, a figurine of Dorothy skipping down the Yellow Brick Road with her cohorts the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion and the Scarecrow.

“That’s very special to me,” Selah told her mom when she tried to take the trophy.

Street fair director Amy Cutler said part of the proceeds from the day’s events will support the Spokane Guilds’ School. The street fair usually brings in about $2,000, but this year Cutler estimates the Garland Street Fair Planning Committee will donate about $3,000.

“We’re going to write the Guilds’ School a big check,” Cutler said.

At the arts and crafts table, Heather Notske helped children making bracelets and magic wands. Notske, a Guilds’ School developmental assistant, said the organization, which provides therapy for developmental disorders to children up to age 3, depends on donations.

All proceeds from the craft table went to support the school.

“It’s been really steady and fabulous,” Notske said about the table.

The Guilds’ School isn’t the only group that benefits from the fair. Cutler said the foot traffic helps local businesses.

Inside the Coolectibles antique shop, Jim Mackenzie greets visitors looking for shade and treasures. Many of them will be back for more, Mackenzie said.

Since last year’s Garland Street Fair, Mackenzie has talked to about 100 customers who said they found the shop at the event.

“A lot of us are struggling,” Mackenzie said about the business community on Garland Avenue. But this event will make a “huge” impact in his sales this year, he said.

“It’s healthy for us,” he said.