House Fair

By Heather Turner

General Context

House fairs (also known as rent parties) are a social phenomenon that first emerged in the United States among African American communities in Harlem, New York around the 1920s. Tenants hosted these parties, often with food and entertainment, to raise enough money to pay their rent. People would “host a fair” or “throw a fair” as a way to raise funds for the rent. Though the concept of rent parties began in urban areas like Atlanta and New Orleans, the gatherings expanded to many regions of the segregated South where they became vital to African American communities. Because segregation increased housing discrimination and limited job opportunities among the Black community, rent parties offered a simple solution to economic pressures.

Rent parties in this region often took place in the modest homes of working-class families. The host would invite neighbors, friends, and family members over for an evening of fun. They would provide music, dancing, games and/or food for the guests who would pay an entry fee upon admission to the party. The goal of the party was simple: raise enough funds to pay the rent.

Connection to Novel

In Of Love and Dust, Gaines uses the keyword “house fair” in the first sentence of chapter twenty. What he describes as a “fair” is exchangeable to the definition of what is historically known as a rent party—sometimes also called a house party. The term “house fair” suggests the character hosting, Josie, made money but necessarily to pay rent.

We know from the text that the house fairs in the quarter differ among crowds, but that “most of the people go to Josie’s fair because Josie’s got music” (88). This highlights how even though one fair “gives you more for your money,” the house fair with the music wins in popularity. This emphasizes the power that music has to bring people together for a good time.