By Ammie Bryant, Editor
It may be cliché, but fall really is one of my favorite times of the year. The weather turns a little cooler (eventually—it is Oklahoma, after all), all things pumpkin-spice appear, and after months of sweltering heat, sweater weather finally arrives.
Stillwater really shines in the fall with festivals, Homecoming, and Halloween. It’s a great time to get out and enjoy all that Stillwater has to offer. Wonderful fall weather doesn’t last long in Oklahoma, so seize the day with our picks for some of the best local, fall activities!
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 to see more performances, events, and activities.
- PICK A PUMPKIN
Pumpkin Palooza, Oct. 7, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at The Botanic Garden at OSU, 3300 W. 6th Ave. There will be a Pumpkin Carving demonstration, a carving contest, and a painted pumpkin contest along with a sale of mums and pumpkins. The activity is $10 per family. Preregistration is recommended. Email [email protected] to reserve your spot or call 405-744-4531.
Grider Farm Pumpkin Patch, Sept. 30 – Oct. 31, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. everyday. Located 14500 S. Country Club Road south of Perkins, Oklahoma. 405-547-2722. Forty acres of pumpkins and gourds from $0.50 to $100. For more information email [email protected] or call 405-547-2722.
Lost Creek Safari, 1200 W. 80th St., 405-707-0403. Open every full weekend in October from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. No reservation required. Feed the animals and pick out a pumpkin. They plan to have hot dogs, chips, pop, and mini melt ice cream. Admission is $5. Feed cups to feed animals are $5.
Pumpkin Jubilee, Sep. 30 – Oct. 31 at Highland Park United Methodist Church, 524 N. Stallard. Co-sponsored by the Stillwater Noon Lions. Pumpkins will be sold to help raise funds for the Lions Club and Church projects. Activities include outdoor movies, pancake breakfast, carriage rides, live music, bake sales, pecan and popcorn sales, a quilt raffle, carnival, and trick or treating. Visit HighlandParkUMC.org for a full list of activities and the specific dates and times for each.
Rockin’ Star Farms is closed again this season. The owners have purchased a new location and hope to have their new location open sometime in the next few years.
- GO TO THE RODEO!
Cowboy Stampede, Oct. 5 – Oct. 7, 7 p.m. at the Payne County Expo Center. Hosted by the OSU Rodeo Team and the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, this three-day event features food trucks, a Kids’ Corral on Friday night, and a rodeo alumni barbecue on Saturday night. Tickets are $10 each and kids aged 5 years and under are free. Discounted tickets ($5) available with OSU ID, school ID, or OSU Alumni Association membership. Gates open at 5 p.m. For more information visit Rodeo.okstate.edu or call 405-744-5167.
- ATTEND A CONCERT
We all know there are lots of opportunities to attend live music performances around town. There are far too many to list them all here, so we’ve chosen to highlight just a few of a plethora of community-oriented concerts. To find many more live music performances, visit the event calendar at VisitStillwater.org/events.
Jake Shimabukuro, Oct. 17, 8 p.m. – 10 p.m. at the Seretean Center for the Performing Arts at OSU. Jake is one of the most exceptional and innovative ukulele players in the history of the instrument and has drawn comparisons with the likes of musical titans Jimi Hendrix and Miles Davis. Ticket prices range from $10 to $20 and are available at tickets.okstate.edu. Call 405-744-7332 for more information.
Stillwater Community Band and Stillwater Jazz Concert, Oct. 26, 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the Stillwater Community Center, 315 W. 8th Ave. Admission is free.
OSU Symphony Orchestra: Fright Night Fundraiser, Oct. 31, 7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. at the Seretean Center for the Performing Arts at OSU. Tickets are $10 and $7 for students and seniors. From Bach to John Williams, the OSUSO performs your favorite “spook”-tacular classics and film soundtracks. Join the Orchestra in your best costumes and experience the enchantment of symphonic music at its ghoulish best. Tickets available at music.okstate.edu or at the box office an hour before the performance.
Stillwater Community Singers Christmas Concert, Dec. 14, 7:30 p.m. at the Stillwater Community Center, 315 W. 8th Ave. Admission is free. Join the Community Singers for a concert with Christmas caroling that is sure to get you into the holiday spirit!
Stillwater Community Band and Stillwater Jazz Concert, Dec. 15, 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the Stillwater Community Center, 315 W. 8th Ave. Admission is free.
- EAT FOR A CAUSE
Bean and Cornbread Dinner Fundraiser, Oct. 5, 5 – 7 p.m. at Granny’s Kitchen, 1006 S. Main St. Support our Veterans by attending this tasty fundraiser. Donations support Wreaths Across America at Fairlawn Cemetery.
- TOUR A GARDEN
Tour with Payne County Master Gardeners, Oct. 8, 12:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. Tour private home gardens featuring a surprising diversity of stunning landscapes. Tickets are $5, in advance, available at the Payne County Extension office. Tickets are $7 the day of the event at any of the gardens on the tour. Kids under 12 are free. For more information, visit PayneCountyMasterGardeners.org/OtherMGEvents.html, email [email protected], or call 405-747-8320.
- GO FOR A RUN (OR WALK)
Eskimo Joe’s 30th Annual Juke Joint Jog, Oct. 7, 10 a.m., at Eskimo Joe’s, 501 W. Elm Ave. This year’s event includes both a 5K and a fun run, plus kids’ activities provided by Stillwater Medical Center. The event benefits the United Way. Register at EskimoJoes.com.
5K Glo Run, Nov. 1, 8 p.m. – 10 p.m. at the Seretean Wellness Center, 1514 W. Hall of Fame Ave. Register in the Colvin Center or Seretean Wellness Center. Event is open to students, OSU employees, and the community. Registration is $20 for members; $30 for non-members. Registration includes a t-shirt, glow sticks, and glow paint. There will be a costume contest and live DJ after party with part of the proceeds benefiting Children’s Miracle Network. For more information email [email protected] or call 405-744-5510.
- AMERICA’S GREATEST HOMECOMING
OSU Homecoming: “Herald Your Fame.” OSU’s homecoming celebration involves so much more than the football game on Oct. 14. It all starts with the Cowboy Stampede Rodeo and continues through the week. The Edmon Low Library fountain will be dyed America’s Brightest Orange on Sun., Oct. 8. Other traditional Homecoming events include the Harvest Carnival and Chili Cook-Off on Oct. 10, Walkaround and Homecoming & Hoops on Oct. 13, and the Sea of Orange Parade on Saturday morning before the game. The Cowboys will host the Baylor Bears inside Boone Pickens Stadium to officially conclude the Homecoming festivities. For more information about OSU Homecoming including a complete list of homecoming events visit OrangeConnection.org/homecoming.
- HALLOWEEN FUN
Mummy and Son Dance, Oct. 20, 7-8:30 p.m. at the Stillwater Community Center, 315 W. 8th. Halloween costumes are encouraged. Tickets are on sale until Oct. 19, $25 per couple, $10 each additional son. Tickets will not be available at the door though, so be sure to get yours while you can. Visit Tickets.Stillwater.org or call 405-533-8433.
Stillwater Downtown Halloween Festival, Oct. 24, 5-8pm. This annual downtown event includes trick-or-treating, fun, and games. Everyone is encouraged to dress up for the festivities.
Halloween Train, Oct. 28-29 at the Oklahoma Railway Museum, 3400 NE Grand Blvd, OKC, 405-424-8222. Ride the Halloween train in costume and enjoy a moon bounce, miniature golf, and treats for the kids. More information about how to get your tickets at OklahomaRailwayMuseum.org.
We know this isn’t a Stillwater event, but we think this looks like a fun and surprisingly affordable activity. If you can’t get tickets for the Halloween Train, never fear, the Oklahoma Railway Museum has special train rides throughout the year including the Fall Steam Train, Nov. 4 – 5!
- ATTEND A CRAFT SHOW
Fall Festival at Sparrow Event Center, Oct. 27, 2 – 10 p.m., 5317 S. Harford St. Enjoy craft vendors, games, and food followed by an outdoor movie featuring “Hocus Pocus” at 8 p.m. More information available at Sparrowbeginnings.com/festival or call 405-402-0262.
Stillwater Fall Festival Arts, Crafts, & Gift Show, Nov 3-5, at the Payne County Expo Center. The 35th annual fall festival features arts, crafts, and gifts with over 150 vendors. Get a head start on your holiday shopping at this indoor event. Concessions will be available. Free Admission.
Holiday Craft Show, Dec. 2, 9am-5pm, at the Payne County Expo Center. More than 100 vendors will display handmade items and crafts for sale. Free Admission.
- SHOP LOCAL
Jingle Bells Sweepstakes kicks off Nov. 10 and runs through Dec. 18. Shop Local and you could win $10,000! Be sure to ask for your Jingle Bells tickets from participating merchants when you check out. On Mon., Dec. 18, tune in to local radio stations or show up for the Jingle Bells Sweepstakes winning ticket announcement at Stillwater’s Winter Wonderland located at Block 34, 8th and Duncan. For more information visit StillwaterChamber.org or call 405-372-5573.
- MAKE A HOLIDAY WREATH
Wreath Making, Nov. 18, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at The Botanic Garden at OSU, 3300 W. 6th Ave. This activity is presented by the TBG Ambassadors. The activity is $10 per family. Preregistration is recommended. Email [email protected] to reserve your spot or call 405-744-4531.
- WATCH A PARADE
Christmas Parade of Lights, Downtown Stillwater, Dec. 7. Fall may not be officially over yet but this is a great holiday season kickoff. So, bundle up and bring the whole family to enjoy this annual holiday tradition. The Stillwater Christmas Parade of Lights runs through downtown spreading holiday cheer for all to see and hear.
