With the arrival of October comes a season full of fun for Stillwater and the surrounding area. Through the years, we have discovered many outstanding events held throughout the fall months that inspire us to get out and make fantastic memories with family and friends. But the beauty of fall doesn’t last long in Oklahoma, so make plans to take advantage of as many of these great local activities and events while you can!
While we don’t have room to share all that the area has to offer in our print publication, we encourage our readers to search the calendar at VisitStillwater.org/events for more performances, events, and activities. As always, thanks to Visit Stillwater for providing such a fabulous resource for visitors and residents alike!
Pick out a Pumpkin!
Botanic Garden at OSU’s Gardenfest, Mum Sales, and Pumpkin Palooza, Oct. 5, 2019, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Join others who share a common interest in gardening and sustainable living for a day of educational workshops, tours, and activities for the whole family. It is also a wonderful opportunity to view the beautiful landscapes and innovative demonstrations throughout The Botanic Garden while experts are on hand to answer questions. Artwork, live music, and vendors will be there throughout the day!
Pumpkin Patch at Highland Park United Methodist Church, 524 N. Stallard St., Open Mon.-Fri. 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sun. 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. through Oct. 31, 2019. Presented by Highland Park Methodist Church and the Noon Lions, this is a great family-friendly opportunity to pick out the perfect pumpkin and enjoy the many fun activities including free carriage rides, bake sales, photo ops, and more! Special events include:
- Sat., Oct. 5 – Pancake Breakfast 8 a.m. – 11 a.m.; Carriage Rides 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Sun., Oct. 13 – Spaghetti Lunch starting at 12 p.m.
- Sun., Oct. 27 – Kids Carnival and Carriage Rides plus live music with the Misspent Ukes from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Thur., Oct. 31 – Trick or Treat from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Grider Farm Pumpkin Patch, On October 5, 2019 Grider Farm Pumpkin Patch updated their facebook page to state they are closed for the season.
Oct. 1 to 31, 2019, open every day, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., 14500 S. Country Club Rd., Perkins, OK, 405-547-2722. Directions: 1 mile south of Perkins on HWY-177, turn west at Cimarron River Bridge to Country Club Rd. Then turn north at the first house on the west side of the road. The 40 acres of pumpkins are located down the hill from the house. Pay at the house when you are through picking. This family farm was hit hard by the spring floods and hoping for a bumper crop of pumpkins this fall. Please call the number above on or after October 1st to confirm that they are indeed open for business.
Oh My Gourd Pumpkin Patch, 9212 E. Glencoe Rd. Open Fridays 1 p.m. to dark, Saturdays 10 a.m. to dark and Sundays 1 p.m. to dark. Or by appointment throughout October. Book your appointment via their Facebook page or call 580-370-5771, 580-336-8509 or 918-606-0101.
Lost Creek Safari, 1200 W. 80th St., Stillwater, 405-707-0403, lostcreeksafari.com. Open Sat. and Sun. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with no reservations required. Call for reservations during weekdays. Kids 15 and under are $5 and adults are $8. The Safari plans to have pumpkins again this year. Visit Lost Creek Safari to see and feed the animals. Be sure to bring your camera to get some great fall-themed photos with your family too! Kids 15 and under are $5 and adults are $8.
Go to the Rodeo!
Cowboy Stampede, Oct. 10 to Oct. 12, 2019, 7 p.m., Payne County Expo Center. Tickets are $10 each and kids 5 and under are free. The OSU Rodeo Team and the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at Oklahoma State University are proud to announce the fifth annual Cowboy Stampede rodeo.
Gates open at 5 p.m. Tickets are $10 each and children five years and younger are free. Discounted tickets ($5) are available with an OSU ID, school ID, or OSU Alumni Association membership. Tickets for the event are on sale now at Cavender’s in Stillwater, and online. Tickets will be sold at the gate (while supplies last) prior to each performance.
America’s Greatest Homecoming
Homecoming Week begins with the dyeing of the Edmon Low Library fountain on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, 5:30 p.m. and culminates with Walkaround on Oct. 18, the Sea of Orange Parade, and the big game on Oct. 19. Below are just a few of the events planned for the week. Visit orangeconnection.org for a full schedule of events.
Harvest Carnival and Chili Cook-Off, Oct. 15, 2019, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Payne County Expo Center. Bring a can of food for a family in need to enter the carnival in participation with the Junior Service League of Stillwater’s Harvest II Food Drive and get ready for a night of fun carnival-style games with your little ones. Each student group participating in homecoming will have their game set up and ready for you to play – you’ll get to vote on the ones you like the most! Chili Cook-off takes place alongside the carnival and requires a $3 entry fee to taste-test the best chili Payne County has to offer. It’s a competition and you’re the judge! Pick the one you like the most and get your bowl filled to the brim with all the toppings. Best of all, wear your favorite costume for a fun and spooky good time!
Hester Street Painting, Oct. 16, 2019, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Hester Street (on campus). Each year, Cowboy family members paint encouraging messages for the Cowboy Football team and coaches to read on Hester Street during the Spirit Walk on game day. The OSU Alumni Association will provide supplies, and fans of all ages are encouraged to attend. Families are encouraged to arrive and begin painting at 5 p.m., students may begin arriving at 6 p.m.
Walkaround, Oct. 18, 2019, 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., Greek Neighborhood (south of campus). Many Cowboys describe “America’s Greatest Homecoming Celebration” with one word: Walkaround. Don’t miss Homecoming’s biggest and best tradition the Friday before the Homecoming football game. Students from the Greek community volunteer hundreds of hours to build magnificent house decorations for the OSU family to enjoy. Bring your family and friends (pets are not allowed) to celebrate America’s greatest Homecoming tradition! More information about this evening’s activities and events including transportation and live broadcast are available at orangeconnection.org.
Sea of Orange Parade, Oct. 19, 2019, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Main Street. Thousands of OSU alumni, family, friends, and community members pack Main Street in downtown Stillwater for this homecoming tradition. The parade consists of more than 140 entries and is broadcasted live by students of the OSU School of Media and Strategic Communications. The parade begins at the intersection of 9th Ave. and Main Street and travels north to Hall of Fame Ave. Broadcast information available at orangeconnection.org.
Go for a Run (or Walk)!
Glow in the Park 5K With Stillwater Life Services, Oct. 5, 2019, 6:30 p.m., Boomer Lake Park (West Side), $35. The Glow in the Park 5K will involve fun glow in the dark elements all along the 5K route! On the course, you will go through multiple Glow Zones where you can stop and play in the ‘Glow’ or sprint to the finish! But the party doesn’t stop there, waiting at the FINISH line will be a Black Light After Party! Proceeds go toward Stillwater Life Services mission, which is to offer practical help and hope to the women, men and their families that they serve.
Stilly Half & 5K, Oct. 6, 2019, 7:30 p.m., 2617 W. 6th Ave., Stillwater, 918-852-4694 or visit stillyhalf.com. Half Marathon $95; 5K $40. What better way to get a tour of the OSU campus and the rest of Stillwater, then by running it on foot! Join the Stilly Half and 5K and have your chance to enjoy the scenery.
Eskimo Joe’s Annual Juke Joint Jog, Oct. 12, 2019, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., 501 W. Elm Ave., EskimoJoes.com. Walk, Run, Jog or Wog – this event is for everyone! Enjoy the 32nd Annual Juke Joint Jog benefiting United Way of Payne County! Participate in either the 5K or one-mile route which have overall winners, prizes by division and shirts, plus finisher medals for all who enter Don’t miss the free food and drink at the end, too!
Cans for Community 5K, Oct. 27, 2019, 8 a.m., Boomer Lake Shelter #2. Sponsored by the Stillwater FFA, the cost to enter is 20 canned goods which will benefit the Salvation Army. stillwaterffa.com
Experience Art & Culture!
“Steel Magnolias” presented by the OSU Dept. of Theatre, Oct. 3-5, 7:30 p.m.; Oct. 6, 2:30 p.m., $12 general admission, $8 seniors (65+), and students (with ID) $7.
OSU Native American Student Association Pow Wow, Oct. 5, 2019, 12 p.m. to 11 p.m., Payne County Expo Center. The annual event will begin at with the Gourd Dance at 12 p.m. 4:30 p.m. Supper Break, 6:30 p.m. Grand Entry for all contests. 11 p.m. is the closing ceremony.
New York Philharmonic at the McKnight Center for the Performing Arts, Oct. 12, 2019, 7:30 p.m., ticket prices vary. The world-renowned symphony orchestra, New York Philharmonic, opens the much anticipated 2019-2020 season at the McKnight Center for the Performing Arts!
Phantom of the Opera Silent Film at the McKnight Center, Oct. 31, 2019, 7:30 p.m., ticket prices vary. Come experience this timeless classic in a unique performance. The story of the Phantom of the Opera, now over 100 years old, has been told in many ways since the French writer Gaston Leroux first published it in 1910. Experience it again as organist Peter Krasinski accompanies the 1925 silent film directed by Rupert Julian. McknightCenter.org.
Visit Stillwater’s Cultural District. There are several interesting exhibits and events at the Stillwater History Museum at the Sheerar, The OSU Museum of Art, Modella Gallery, and others as well. Visit visitstillwater.org/ for more information about the great cultural opportunities available in Stillwater
Halloween Fun!
Mummy and Son Dance at the Stillwater Community Center, Oct. 4, 2019, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., $25 per couple and $10 for each additional son. Tickets on sale until Oct. 3. Get your dancing shoes and costumes ready. Preschoolers and above are welcome to accompany their mothers to the dance. Couples are encouraged to dress as their favorite Halloween character. The City of Stillwater Community Center will be decorated for a spooky good time as attendees dance, play games, and enjoy refreshments. Tickets are required and are available until Oct. 3. Tickets are not available at the door the day of the event.
CANCELED: Stillwater Downtown Halloween Festival.
See linked page for a list of indoor Halloween activities compiled by the City of Stillwater.
Tues., Oct. 29, 2019, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., located in downtown Stillwater on Main Street. The Stillwater Downtown Halloween Festival is a fun event that brings the entire community out to downtown Stillwater. It will include trick or treating through the downtown merchants, free carnival games, local food trucks, bumper cars, inflatables, a costume parade and more. Everyone is encouraged to dress up in a creative and exciting costume for the festivities and enjoy live ukulele entertainment. Children and adults both will enjoy this family-friendly way to celebrate Halloween.
Trick-or-Treating, Thur., Oct. 31. Neighborhood trick-or-treating is always on Halloween night in Stillwater. Many area churches also host trunk-or-treat and harvest festivals on Halloween or the weekend before or after. Some of the churches who have held these events in the past or we have heard are planning to this year include Countryside Baptist, First Nazarene, Eagle Heights, Crosspointe, First Baptist, Southside Baptist, and Sunnybrook Christian. As we go to print with this issue, we have not been able to confirm any of these, so please follow up with each church before making plans to attend.
Attend a Craft Show or Festival!
Sparrow Beginnings Fall Festival, Sat., Oct. 26, 2019, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., 5317 S. Hartford, Stillwater, OK, SparrowBeginnings.com. Come enjoy craft vendors, pumpkin carving, a scavenger hunt, food, coffee, lawn games, face painting, hayrides, games, costume contest, and more! Celebrate fall with Sparrow Beginnings!
Fall Festival and Craft Show, Nov. 1 to Nov. 3, 2019, Payne County Expo Center, Free Admission. Over 150 vendors from Oklahoma and surrounding states.
