Oxford’s Downtown Development Authority and Merge Art Gallery & Studio are celebrating the fall season in downtown Oxford by holding its annual Scarecrow Festival on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The event will feature an array of masked scarecrows displayed in front of businesses along Washington Street as well as lining the perimeter of Centennial Park. In addition,to the scarecrow contest there will be costume contests for children, pets, farm animals and adults, a Farmer’s Flea Market and Chili Cook-off. Activities will take place at Centennial Park, the future site of Merge Art Gallery at 33 Pleasant Street and the Oxford Farm and Garden store.
Music will be provided by local artists from noon to 4 p.m. when the Taylor Tucky band will play until 6 p.m.
A 5K Creepy Crawl Costume Run will begin at 33 Pleasant Street behind Oxford Farm & Garden, sponsored by Merge Art Gallery and Anytime Fitness. Registration is from 8:30 ? 9:30 a.m. with the race starting at 10 a.m. Preregister $25 with shirt, $15 without shirt with family rates available. The proceeds are to benefit the Polly Ann Trail rest area.
Merge will also be hosting a children’s costume party, a farm animal costume contest from 12- 3 and an adult costume party from 6-10 p.m. There is a $5 charge to enter the costume contests where you could win up to $200 in prizes. Music by the Voodoo Valentine band will be from 8- 10 p.m.
Oxford is excited to bring residents and visitors to downtown Oxford to explore the unique businesses and delicious restaurants right here. Trick-or-treating is from 1-3 p.m. at participating businesses. The festival is free.
Additional activities incorporated into this year’s Scarecrow Festival include a Vendor Alley featuring unique homemade gifts, straw maze, face painting and a bake sale sponsored by local churches.
The Scarecrow Contest is be open to the residents and businesses. Anyone who wishes to enter should bring their creations to Centennial Park on Oct. 26 between 10 a.m. – noon or submit a photograph of your scarecrow to the DDA office by 12 noon on Oct. 18.
The Howl-ween Pet Parade Contest is also back and will begin at 2 p.m. Those people who want to enter their pets, dressed in their best Halloween outfits, need to pre-register that day. All proceeds from this parade will be donated to the K-9 Stray Rescue League.
Many of the stores downtown will be offering Trick-or-Treating for kids and be sure to stop by the DDA Information Booth, during the festival, to pick up a Scary Sales bag filled with coupons redeemable at businesses.
To register to learn more about the Scarecrow Festival, visit www.oxfordscarecrowfestival.com