The Asian Heritage Street Celebration, Autumn Moon Festival Chinatown Street Fair and the Cherry Blossom Festival and Parade are collaborating with other San Francisco institutions in celebrating the life of Pablo Heising, a founder of the modern street fair in San Francisco.
Heising, 61, who helped guide the launch of the Asian Heritage Street Celebration, passed away on Dec. 20, 2006, of heart failure.
His passion for San Francisco was evident not only in the Giants cap he always wore, but also in many of the street fairs he helped start and organize, including the Haight-Ashbury Street Fair, the Castro Street Fair and AHSC.
Heising’s life will be commemorated at “A Celebration of Pablo Heising,” a free indoor event modeled on a street fair, complete with performing artists as well as arts and crafts booths.
For a man who gave so much to San Francisco, the public is invited and encouraged to attend and pay tribute to this beloved member of the community.
Heising’s brother Bruno believed Pablo would have wanted this to be a happy celebration instead of a sad memorial.
Heising’s entertainment career began as stage manager for Bill Graham Productions in the early ‘60s. His first experience operating a public fair was helping Harvey Milk with the Castro Street Fair.
“Pablo Heising will be remembered as a unique and well-liked man, and his sprit imbued all those he met. A heart as big as Pablo’s touched not just the Haight but the whole city. He is and will forever be greatly missed.”— Supervisor Tom Ammiano
“Pablo was always big on the importance of communication. By having street fairs, he gave everyone a common ground to get to meet and interact with each other.”
— David Miller, Board President, Castro Street Fair
“He was an asset to our event … he always helped me stay in touch with the concerns arising from City Hall permits. Besides that, he is a great friend.”
— Eva Lee, Autumn Moon Festival Chinatown Street Fair
“Pablo was our Street Fair Guru. That, plus his love for the Pacific Islands, made him an honorary Asian American.”
— Ted Fang, AHSC Organizer
“Pablo was a walking paradox. He has a very gruff and aggressive demeanor, but inside he had a heart of gold. He always gave more than he took.”
— Flip Sarrow, Haight Street Fair