It’s that time of year again!
Oxford’s Fourth Annual Scarecrow Festival is set for Saturday, Oct. 21 from 11 a.m.to 2 p.m. in Centennial Park, and there’s more fall fun this year than ever.
Visitors can come view and judge the top scarecrows in town and vote on the People’s Choice for Business Scarecrow, who will receive the coveted ‘Crow Award.?
Last year, Williams Art Glass Studio took home the glory for their Wizard of Oz gang of crows. So far, more than 25 people have entered scarecrows in the contest.
The kids will be entertained with scarecrow crafts and pumpkin decorating in the park, while mom and dad enjoy the wide range of music from the Lake Orion band the Sunset Kings.
But don’t forget about your other little children.
Visitors can bring their pets dressed in costume for the pet parade scheduled for Noon. Gift baskets will be given to the top three pets in costume.
While listening to tunes and watching the parade, don’t miss out on the chili cook-off, featuring recipes from local businesses, restaurants and even amatuers. Each category will be given a first, second or third place award.
Whether you like it spicy or on the mild side, cook up your chili beforehand and bring it in a crock pot to keep warm while at the park. Contact Joe Young (248) 628-2543 or Sandra Keitel of the Gourment Concept (248) 274-5107 to enter your chili into the contest. The winning recipes will be featured in The Leader.
New to this year’s festival is the Harvest Bake-Off, where all interested bakers and cooks can enter their apple or pumpkin tasty treats for the chance at winning three prizes for best taste, most creative and best appearance. Judging will be at Noon and all entries must be delivered between 11-11:30 a.m.
Also new is a hay ride, straw tunnel maze and petting zoo at Oxford Farm and Garden (81 N. Washington St.). The hay ride will begin at the store and travel down Pleasant St., Burdick, Pontiac and Dennison to Centennial Park.
Village Manager Joe Young said a booth will be set up near the new Polly Ann Trail pedestrian bridge over M-24 with information about the trail for those interested as well.
Even more fun for the kiddies this year will be decorating their bicycle and catapulting pumpkins at a target in the parking lot in front of Grove’s True Value Hardware in the Oxford Marketplace.
The Scarecrow Festival is sponsored by the Oxford Downtown Development Authority, the Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce and The Oxford Leader.
Visit the DDA’s website at www.downtownoxford.org to download a registry form for the bake-off. For more information, call the DDA at (248) 628-3095.