Photos from http://www.sunsetjunction.org/streetfair_photos.html
Once again, it’s time for Sunset Junction. The good news is, this year, it may not be Heatstroke Junction. The weather’s been (comparatively) mild all week; if we’re lucky, we’ll see temperatures in the low 80s, which is tolerable.
Maybe it’s not bad news, but apart from the weather, everything else about Sunset Junction will be the same as last year, which was the same as the year before…not the bands, obviously, but the crowds, the drunkenness, the stench-ridden port-o-potties – even the vendors tote out the same old tired crap year after year.
Sigh…
But don’t let my pissy attitude ruin your fun.
Instead, consider the following so you can get maximum enjoyment:
Disregard all parking advice on the website.
Do not even waste your time trying to park anywhere near the actual event. Especially on Saturday. Park somewhere residential, off of Silver Lake Blvd, Micheloterena (not too high up, because walking up that hill after a long day of sun and partying will suck), or Los Feliz Village. Watch the signs yo, you will get ticketed. Walk or take a cab. When I used to live out of the area, I would park by Wacko on Hollywood Blvd, and walk down. (but do not park on Hollywood Blvd. on Saturday). It’s a 15-minute walk. And on the way back, you can do your own mini pub crawl and stop at Tiki Ti’s the Good Luck Bar and then up Hillhurst to the Drawing Room and the Rustic.
Bring money.
“Suggested donation” means if you don’t pay $20, you don’t get in. If you’re planning on doing some eating and drinking – not all-out Bacchanalia, but enjoying yourself in moderation, you can probably skate by on $50 for the whole day (including admission). There are little sidewalk vendors who will have bottled water for $1, God bless them. The festival always features a good assortment of food from some of the popular restaurants and taco trucks in the area, but it’s all overpriced, like any other fair or concert. If you’re kinda cheap and you really get hungry or thirsty, keep walking down Sunset and go to the 99 Cent Only store. Actually, there are a ton of good restaurants on that side, including Alegria, Tantra, Dusty’s, and Baskin-Robbins (technically not a restaurant but still, who doesn’t like ice cream, I ask rhetorically even though I, myself, am lactose intolerant).
Take only what you can carry in your pockets securely.
Keep it simple, keep from getting pick pocketed…and keep from being that asshole that bumps everyone with his backpack.
Wear appropriate footwear.
Not just for walking. Invariably, your feet will get stomped on. You will probably step in puddles of liquids of indeterminate origins. Wear what’s comfortable, but probably stay away from sandals or flip-flops, anything white, or shoes that you’re really deeply attached to.
The show opens at noon. The port-o-potties will be distressingly heinous by 12:30.
Even though there are a lot of restaurants in the area, it’s always…ahem, a crapshoot as to whether or not you’ll be able to use those facilities. Plan ahead. If you can hold it for 10 minutes or so, go to Circuit City and pretend to look at car stereos and use the bathroom there.
Don’t get there too early.
In all seriousness, there really isn’t that much to do. You will burn yourself out way before any of the good bands play.
If you’re really bored, want to kill time or need to get out of the sun for a couple hours, go see Tropic Thunder at the Vista, which is a lovely theater.
Showtimes are at 1:40, 4:20, 7:00 & 9:40 P.M
If you see a tall, scowling redhead with a lot of tattoos who’s probably wearing at least one pink article of clothing, go say hi to her. She’s not as mean as she looks.
There will probably be at least 20 girls who fit this description. But hey, you’ll make a lot of new friends.
Try not to gawk at the studded-codpiece clad leatherdaddies.
Self-explanatory.
Avoid drinking too much late in the day.
When the festival lets out, the whole area is teeming with cops just itching to bust people for DUIs. I know a couple of people who’ve been popped for riding a bike under the influence, so cut yourself off early.
Avoid hooking up too much late in the day.
Fatigue + alcohol + too much heat = Really bad judgment
This isn’t Disneyland. This is someone’s neighborhood.
Be respectful and as you’re leaving: don’t urinate, vomit or fornicate on people’s lawns or burn anything. Lot of regular folk live in the neighborhood, and they sure as hell aren’t going to appreciate your drunken caterwauling as you walk back to your car, or to a party, at 11 pm on Sunday night.
And above all, have fun, yo!
-Lisa Boosin is a copywriter from Los Feliz whose writing has appeared in OC Weekly and The Orange County Register. For more info on Sunset Junction, visit http://www.sunsetjunction.org/streetfair.html
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