Fair Trade at Fair Harbor’s Pine Walk Fair

By Danielle LipiecEvading the rainy day that the weather forecast predicted, Fair Harbor’s annual Pine Walk Fair flourished under the sunshine for its 47th consecutive year on Saturday, July 6. Fire Islanders flocked from all parts of the island, keeping water taxis just as busy as the packed streets of the fair surrounding the ferry dock. Since the Pine Walk Fair’s beginning, founder and event organizer Helen Kornblau has dedicated much of her time to making sure the event goes smoothly each year. “The Pine Walk Fair began when three young women, all extremely creative, decided to sell their wares on Pine Walk, near the ocean. It grew each year and several community projects were funded with the profits – as they still are today,” Kornblau said in a past interview with Fire Island News.A scattering of tents and tables offered goods ranging from jewelry and other accessories, art and paintings, soaps and beauty products, and even handmade quilts. Le Dock offered up pizza and seafood to satiate hungry patrons. Since its humble beginnings, the Pine Walk Fair has grown into a larger, more widely anticipated community event. So large, Kornblau says, that they were eventually asked to relocate from their original spot on Pine Walk. “After the first 10 years, our event grew exponentially. It had so many attendees that the fire department requested its relocation to the public areas of the town. Yes, it was relocated – but we couldn’t resist retaining its name.” Although the fair has closed up shop for the year, craft and trinket lovers can anticipate another creativity- filled fair in the 2020 summer season, and for summer seasons to come.