by Elizabeth Dowds
Absolutely everybody’s rhapsodizing about how much they love fall, so I’ll spare you my own list of why it’s my favorite season. But if you too are a lover of all things autumnal, you can indulge in your favorite season at the free 1st Annual Downtown Norman Fall Fest.
From 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday October 25th, three blocks of downtown Norman will be transformed into a fall-themed wonderland for your enjoyment. So from the train tracks all the way down to Porter, Main Street will be blocked. The event will be family and pet friendly, which means a lot of free activities for kids: local businesses will be open for trick-or-treating and fun seasonally-inspired activities. For instance, you can go to Michaelangelo’s Coffee and Wine for free hot chocolate and face painting. Outside and in front of Syrup and Guestroom Records, Scissortail School of Art will activities, but owner Lindsey Martin will also have fun Halloween themed crafts up in her studio. Meanwhile, Hall of Tattoos will be doing free temporary tattooing. Outside the MainSite Art Gallery, there will be a pumpkin carving demonstration. On top of this, there will be music, free glow necklaces and bracelets for all, a clown making balloon animals, and of course, a costume contest for people and for pets.
So dress up your animals, friends, there are prizes to be had. Local restaurants will be selling delicious food, but aside from that, everything about the festival is free, so come revel in your favorite season in picturesque downtown Norman as the sun sets.
[Edit: 10/24/13 They’ve also announced their costume contest prizes:
Pet Costume Contest at 6:20 pm:
1st Place- Annie’s Ruff House Doggie Daycare gift cert ($90 value)
2nd Place- Rose Rock Vet gift basket ($40 value)
3rd Place- Petco gift card ($25 value)
Child Costume Contest at 7:20 pm:
1st Place- Andy Alligator’s Fun Package ($200 value)
2nd Place- Kidoodles Toy & Candy Basket gift set ($100 value)
3rd Place-Wet Pets gift card ($50 value)
Group Costume Contest at 8:20 pm:
1st Place- Hey Day fun package ($75 value)
2nd Place- Movie Theater gift card and Gabarino’s Restaurant gift card ($70 value)
3rd Place- Sooner Legends gift card and Sprouts gift card ($50 value) ]
Image credit: Downtown Norman Fall Fest Facebook page.