Figures made of straw, metal, pumpkins and other assorted materials have been popping up all over downtown Oxford as the village prepares for its annual Scarecrow Festival from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20.
Sponsored by the Oxford Downtown Development Authority, the event will feature fun, family activities in three areas spanning the entire downtown shopping district along Washington St.
To the north, Oxford Farm & Garden (81 N. Washington St.) will be hosting hayrides, a petting farm and a hay maze.
To the south, Main Street Bicycles, inside the Oxford Marketplace, will host a ‘spooky bicycle parade? through the shopping center parking lot.
‘We’re asking people to be in costume and decorate their bikes,? said Nina Butler, events coordinator for the DDA. ‘Registration for that is between 1 and 1:30 p.m. and it’s open to all ages. The parade starts at 1:30 p.m.?
Centennial Park will once again serve as the main hub of the autumn festival with a kids craft corner featuring Halloween-themed activities and a pie eating contest, beginning at noon, for children ages 10-17. Achatz Handmade Pie Co. will supply the delicious pies. Registration for the contest will take place between 11 a.m. and noon.
The Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce will host a chili cook-off in Centennial Park starting at 10 a.m.
All participants must purchase their chili ingredients the morning of the contest per health regulations. The chamber will collect sales receipts to ensure when the food items were purchased. Contestants must also supply their own grills, cookers, etc.
‘They will get three hours to cook their chili,? according to Chamber Executive Director Amy Alder, who noted all contestants must start with ‘raw ingredients.?
At 1 p.m. chili samples will be given away to the public. A panel of judges will choose their favorites based on aroma, consistency, color, taste and aftertaste. The winner will be announced at 1:30 p.m.
‘First place will get a plaque and a special Oxford Chamber of Commerce kit of goodies,? Alder said. ‘Second and third (places) will get gift packs.?
Those wishing to vote in the scarecrow contest have until noon Saturday to do so.
Prior to Saturday, the public can pick up ballots and vote at the DDA office (22 W. Burdick St.), CC’s Cyber Cafe, Grove’s True Value Hardware and Main Street Bicycles.
Ballots will be available in the park the day of the festival.
Residential participation was low this year as 16 of the 21 clever crows listed on the ballot were built by downtown businesses and can be seen lining Washington St.
Participating businesses are eligible to win either $500 (first place) or $250 (second place) worth of free advertising, paid for by the DDA, in the place of their choosing.