Oxford residents young, old and hairy braved the cold, wet day last Saturday at the Fourth Annual Scarecrow Festival at Centennial Park.
Residents brought their dogs dressed in costumes, like Yoda, a Tootsie Roll and a karate kid for the pet parade, while others strolled through the park eating cotton candy and hot chili from the Kiwanis Club and Red Knapp’s American Grill.
Winners of the pet parade were Rudy Wade on his scooter (1st), Finley the scarecrow dog (2nd) and Lilo dressed as Minnie Mouse (3rd). The winners won a gift basket with items from Lori’s Pet Paradise, Pet Supplies Plus and the Oxford Veterinary Hospital.
Kids made funny and frightening decorated pumpkins under the craft tent and danced to tunes played by the Sunset Kings.
When it came to the winners of the scarecrow contest, Williams Art Glass Studio once again took home the ‘Crow Award? for the addition of the lion from the Wizard of Oz to their gang.
The Kerin Family took first place for their ‘Jack Scarecrow,? modeled after the pirate character Capt. Jack Sparrow from the movie ‘Pirates of the Caribbean.? Lisa Burke Bruni took second place for her rendition of ‘Jack Skeleton? from the movie ‘Nightmare Before Christmas.? Duke and Donna Graessele took third place for their ‘Juggles the Clown? scarecrow.
The new Harvest Bake-Off contest drew seven entries from local residents, including Theresa Wrobel who won Best Taste for her pumpkin cheesecake, Francie Kuznicki won Best Appearance for her Apple Pumpkin Bread, and Mindy Denninger won Most Creative for her fudgy pumpkin brownies.