Oakdale Chamber of Commerce is looking to keep the downtown “vibe” alive, as the organization presents a Fall Festival event, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The first-time event will be staged North First and North Second avenues, with East E Street being the bridge between the two. A Kids Zone will be set up on Second with pony rides, a petting zoo, bounce house and more, with over 45 vendors booths setting up shop for the day along East E and North Second as well.
The event features free admission for the community and will include a variety of vendors with items for sale as well as activities. Live music will be hosted outside Last Call Brewery throughout the day, a photo booth will be set up by Sons Farm Fresh and the Congressional Gun Fighters of America will stage a performance at high noon.
“We wanted to make it, so that people who are doing things on the weekend can still come,” Bri Swan, Oakdale Chamber of Commerce, Membership and Marketing Coordinator stated. “Either in the morning or later in the day.”
According to Oakdale Chamber CEO, Cher Bairos the idea was all Swan’s.
“The big thing of why we decided this and this was Bri’s idea to do this on First and Second, because everything is on Third,” Bairos said. “We hear it at the Chamber and we want to support all of our downtown businesses.”
Swan further shared that while the team hopes to have a large attendance, it has not been planned as an annual event, but rather an event to continue their outreach and connection with the community as they work through this year of transition after not staging the long-running Oakdale Chocolate Festival this past May.
“Just making sure that we’re including everybody and letting people know that there is more to Downtown Oakdale than just Third,” Swan said. “Third is amazing and beautiful and I love all the shops, but there are so many great shops when you go around the corner that have been there for a long time.”
To further support those businesses, vendors will be set with ample distance apart from the shop doorways, allowing shoppers to peruse both the vendors as well as the local shops.
Swan and Bairos shared their hope is to build on the momentum from the Oakdale Morning Market, which recently completed a successful multi-week run. The two Chamber officials said they hope the Fall Festival event receives support from the community in the same way that the weekly Saturday morning market did.
Adding to the local support is the backing of the first-time event’s Presenting Sponsor.
“Valley First Credit Union is our one and only presenting sponsor,” Bairos said, noting gratitude for their support of the first-time event.
Bairos also shared a number of food vendors which were popular at the Morning Market will be on hand at this event.
“This year was more to be out in the community and keep us going. We want people to know that we’re a new team here,” Swan shared of the local Chamber of Commerce. “We want them to see us and be out especially with our new board.”
“We’re just excited to have the community come out,” Bairos said. “Continue the support from the Morning Market, bring a couple of food (vendors) from out of the area and encourage people to keep shopping.”
“It’s a fun way to kick off the fall festive season. A good way to bring everyone together,” Swan said, adding they hope that families show up in costume and ready to share the spooky spirit, with Halloween fast approaching.
Persons interested in helping with the event or looking for a volunteer opportunity may do so by contacting Swan at the Oakdale Chamber Office, 209-847-2244.
