Scarecrows, chili and costumes, oh my!
Last weekend’s Scarecrow Festival in downtown Oxford’s Centennial Park proved to be the highlight of the season and left no one with an empty stomach.
Residents from Lake Orion, Clarkston and Auburn Hills feasted their eyes on the many creative scarecrows entered into the Scarecrow Contest.
From a nativity scene made with pumpkins, gourds and straw by the Oxford Free Methodist Church to the pregnant scarecrow by the Mom’s Club of Oxford, residents young and old enjoyed the hard work put into these pieces of art.
Kids and dogs came dressed in costumes like superheroes and animals, and spent the day decorating pumpkins, getting their face painted and watching the balloon maker.
Employees of the Village even got into the Halloween spirit and came in costume.
Village Manager Joe Young strutted his stuff as a cowboy and blew up large bouncy balloons for the kids.
While festival goers dined on chili, kettle corn and hot dogs on a stick, a local band called the Barn Stormers performed classic oldies from the gazebo.
Yummy apple cider was available at the Oxford Tap’s table, and sweet desserts from Victoria’s Delights, Sweet & Savory Bakeshop and Great Lakes Mercantile were just a hop, skip and jump away.
Three winners of the pet parade, which featured bride and groom Chihuahuas and a hot dog golden retriever, received gift baskets from the Metamora Canine Academy and Lori’s Pet Paradise in downtown Oxford.
The Oxford Rotary, who won the chili cook-off, received a gift basket from local businesses as well as an apron that says ‘Best Chili in Oxford.?