Detroit Free Press: First day of Ann Arbor Art Fairs is a scorcher; dozens go to ER

[marmar]

First day of Ann Arbor Art Fairs is a scorcher; dozens go to ER
BY ERIN CHAN DING • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER • July 17, 2008



The Ann Arbor Art Fairs began Wednesday with the sun pressing down so hard, it felt as if it wanted to just set up its own booth.

"Brutal. That's the only word for it," said Mike McTaggert of Ypsilanti, before adding: "Is sweat SPF?"

With the National Weather Service predicting high temperatures in the 90s over the next few days, finding shade in Ann Arbor will continue to be a priority for people at the fairs, which run through Saturday.

The heat was a major concern on opening day for the crowd of thousands of mostly art fair veterans eager for the best finds. Many donned wide-brimmed hats and were equipped with bottled water. But some were caught unprepared.

Heat-related illnesses sent 40 people, mostly from the art fairs, to the emergency room at University of Michigan Hospital on Wednesday. A few people were admitted, said hospital spokeswoman Katie Vloet, but most stayed to rehydrate and were released.

"Whenever we have spikes in temperature combined with outdoor affairs, this can happen. We encourage people to drink enough water," Vloet said. ......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080717/FEATURES01/807170350

[Lefty48197]

1. It's traditional

It's always 90+ degrees during the art fair and on one or two of the show days, the sky turns dark, the wind whips down the streets, and everybody gets rained on for about 30 minutes, then the sky clears and it's hot and humid again.