This weekend the college student's traditional U-District standard of studying, coffee and cheap food will be turned upside down.

May 19 and May 20 mark the 38th-annual University District Street Fair, which will host live entertainment, art booths and children's activities.

Started in 1969 by local merchant Andy Shiga, the street fair has been a success for years. According to the fair's Web site, more than 50,000 people from different regions pass through the fair annually.

Today, the Greater University Chamber of Commerce produces the event.

"Its goal is to be a community celebration," Chamber Director Teresa Lord Hugel said. "The street fair is keenly involved in presenting the good side of the community — it's a different flavor of urban retail corridor meets arts fair."

The fair has something that everyone can enjoy, according to the Web site.

In past years, vendors have sold everything from glass jewelry and woodcarvings to soap and musical instruments. This year more than a hundred businesses are listed on the Web site as scheduled to attend, many of them unique to Seattle.

Besides shopping, the street fair offers a variety of free, live entertainment. There are three stages: one on Northeast 43rd Street and Brooklyn Avenue; another at Brooklyn Avenue and Northeast 47th Street; and finally, the 42nd Street Community Stage on Northeast 42nd Street and Brooklyn Avenue.

Each stage has a wide range of performances scheduled for both days. The Northeast 43rd Street and Northeast 47th Street stages will host live bands — playing genres ranging from blues, reggae and alternative rock. The 42nd Street Community Stage will host bands as well as various performers. Saturday, martial artists and belly dancers will grace this stage.

In addition to the regular restaurants and cafes on the Ave., a variety of food vendors will offer international food and drink.

This year there are some specific events, old and new, that Lord Hugel urges visitors to check out.

"Finn McCool's pub will have live Irish music playing on their deck out front to create ambience," the director said. "The owner of Gargoyle Statuary will also have someone sculpting outside her shop, and [it] has been, in the past, a very popular spot."

Visitors are also encouraged to check out the second-annual dog show and fun children's events.

"Even for those with no money — come and play," Lord Hugel said. "We know college students don't always have a lot of money, but the fair is a lot of fun ... and man, [it has] the best people watching in the world."

Reach contributing writer Erika Cederlind at news@thedaily.washington.edu